The first online coordination meeting of the Youth Empowerment Hub: Digital, Inclusive & Engaged (YOUth HUB) project consortium has taken place within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme (KA220-YOU). The meeting marked an important milestone at the beginning of the 24-month cooperation aimed at strengthening digital resilience, media literacy, and the psychological well-being of young people across Europe.
The meeting was opened by project coordinator Wolfgang Ressmann, who presented the overall vision of the YOUth HUB project and outlined the key objectives of the partnership. Project Manager Yevhen Tsymbalenko introduced the organisational structure of the project, explaining the approach to day-to-day management and the next practical steps for implementation.
During the session, partners from Germany, Poland, Italy, Finland, and the Czech Republic introduced their organisations, areas of expertise, and roles within the project. Participants highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the consortium, which brings together experience in media education, social inclusion, non-formal education, work with migrants, and digital innovation.
Special attention was given to organisational and financial aspects of the project. Partners discussed the use of Google Drive as a shared working space, the establishment of a mailing list, and access to key project documents. The overall project budget of EUR 250,000 was presented, along with an explanation of contractual procedures required to initiate funding and ensure smooth financial management.
An important point of discussion was the planning of a face-to-face kick-off meeting of the consortium. Participants agreed that an in-person meeting would significantly support team-building, strategic planning, and effective cooperation. It was provisionally agreed to organise the meeting by the end of January, using a Doodle poll to select suitable dates and establishing a dedicated messaging group to facilitate communication.
The first coordination meeting laid a solid foundation for future collaboration and confirmed the shared commitment of all partners to creating an inclusive digital environment that supports teenagers—particularly displaced Ukrainian youth and other vulnerable groups—in navigating online information safely, critically, and responsibly.
The YOUth HUB project will run from 31 December 2025 to 30 December 2027. The next phases will focus on the development of a digital platform, the production of peer-to-peer video narratives, and the creation of methodological resources for youth workers and educators across Europe.
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