Between 22–28 February, the international training course CyberSafe took place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The training was implemented under the Erasmus+ Programme and coordinated by Can You Association (Bulgaria). The course brought together youth workers and trainers from different European countries who participated in an intensive programme dedicated to digital literacy, online safety, and the development of critical thinking in the digital environment.

The CyberSafe project aimed to support youth workers across Europe by providing them with knowledge, tools, and practical methods to help young people navigate the digital space more confidently, critically, and safely.

During the training course, participants worked on a range of current topics related to online safety and the digital environment.

The main topics of the training included:

• recognising online threats and risks on the internet;
• fundamentals of cybersecurity and protection of personal data;
• analysing misinformation and manipulative content;
• understanding the mechanisms behind the spread of fake news and online manipulation;
• developing critical thinking and media literacy;
• practical methods for working with young people on digital safety topics.

The training was delivered through a variety of non-formal education methods, including interactive exercises, group work, simulations, discussions, analysis of real-life examples, and practical tasks. This approach allowed participants not only to gain new knowledge but also to exchange experiences and good practices from their work in different countries.


Practical Skills for Working with Young People
One of the main goals of the training was for participants to acquire practical tools and methods that they can apply in their work at the local level.

During the course, they developed ideas for activities and exercises that can be used when organising:

• trainings and workshops for young people;
• educational initiatives for digital literacy;
• discussions and campaigns promoting online safety;
• local activities focused on preventing misinformation.

International Exchange and New Partnerships

In addition to its educational component, the training also created a space for intercultural exchange and cooperation among participants. Youth workers had the opportunity to learn about different approaches and practices from their countries, discuss the challenges they face in their work with young people, and build new professional connections.

During the short time the group spent together, a strong atmosphere of trust, support, and positive energy emerged. Participants not only worked actively on the topics of the training but also built friendships and a community that continues exchanging ideas even after the project ended.

Acknowledgements
Can You Association would like to express its sincere gratitude to all participants, partners, and collaborators who contributed to the successful implementation of the CyberSafe training course.
Thanks to their motivation, active participation, and shared experience, the training became an inspiring space for learning, cooperation, and generating new ideas for creating a safer digital environment for young people.

The CyberSafe project represents another step towards building a more informed, critically thinking, and digitally resilient young generation.

*Project number: 2024-3-BG01-KA153-YOU-000269466
*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.