What if every young person in Europe had a place to share their digital experiences, develop new skills and become an active voice in shaping a safer online world?
This is the idea behind the European Network of Youth Contact Points (YCPs), an initiative developed within the Erasmus+ project Youth Digital Leaders (LED) to bring digital education, youth participation and European cooperation closer to local communities.
Today, young people navigate a digital world full of opportunities, but also challenges. Cyberbullying, misinformation, online privacy, artificial intelligence and digital well-being are increasingly part of their everyday lives. Addressing these issues requires more than providing information or teaching technical skills. It means creating opportunities for young people to reflect, participate and take action.
And who better than young people themselves to help shape these opportunities?
What is a Youth Contact Point?
A Youth Contact Point is not simply an information desk. It is a local hub hosted by a youth organisation, school or educational community, where young people can learn, share experiences and find support in navigating the digital world.
Through interactive workshops, peer-learning activities, storytelling, awareness campaigns and other creative initiatives, Youth Contact Points aim to promote digital resilience, responsible online behaviour and active citizenship.
Above all, they are designed to be safe and inclusive spaces where young people can express their concerns, exchange ideas and become part of the solution.
The principle is simple: digital education should not only be designed for young people, but also with them.
Local action, European impact
The ambition of Youth Digital Leaders goes beyond creating individual local spaces.
By connecting Youth Contact Points across Europe, the project aims to build a sustainable network of organisations committed to sharing knowledge, exchanging educational practices and developing new opportunities for young people.
Building on the cooperation established among project partners in Italy, Belgium, France and Czechia, the network will encourage peer learning, international collaboration and access to European youth initiatives.
At the centre of this vision are young people themselves, empowered to become Youth Digital Leaders who can inspire their peers, facilitate activities and promote a more inclusive and responsible digital culture.
A dedicated Policy Roadmap for the Development of a European Network of Youth Contact Points provides a common framework to guide participating organisations and support the network’s long-term sustainability.
The ultimate goal? Turning digital resilience from an individual challenge into a shared European responsibility.
Become a Youth Contact Point!
The European Network of Youth Contact Points is now welcoming expressions of interest from organisations working with young people.
Youth organisations, NGOs, schools, educational centres and community-based organisations are invited to become part of this growing initiative.
Joining the network means contributing to a European community that believes in the power of participation, cooperation and youth-led change.
Do you work with young people? Would you like to help create safer, more inclusive and more empowering digital experiences?
Become a Youth Contact Point and help shape the future of digital youth work!
[Express your interest and join the network!]:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceH8ob_xVcJqCEcZ63zlPSbiQ8n92qhWixUHucLaHJQwz7eQ/viewform