Youth Network Conference assets || 22-02-2026 > 10:00-14:00
- Esai En Roi
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Quick recap
The Youth Network conference focused on exploring youth identities and collective action in hybrid communities, bringing together young people, educators, and activists to discuss inclusive practices and cultural engagement. The conference highlighted innovative projects such as "Social Inclusion and the Power of Sports," "Rhythm of Life," and urban farming initiatives, emphasizing the role of sports, arts, and ecological activities in fostering youth empowerment and social cohesion. Participants shared experiences and challenges related to digital transformation in education, cultural policy, and youth engagement, with discussions on the importance of maintaining cultural relevance and accessibility for young people. The event also showcased successful collaborations across Europe, including Erasmus Plus projects and youth exchange programs, while addressing the need for continued support and partnerships to enhance youth participation and development.
Summary
Youth Identities and Hybrid Communities
The Youth Network conference on "Youth Identities and Collective Action in Hybrid communities" began with opening remarks emphasizing the importance of participation, solidarity, and cooperation among young people, junior youth workers, and local stakeholders. The conference aims to highlight how hybrid communities can become spaces of inclusion and collective responsibility, addressing issues like digitalization, social inequalities, and environmental challenges. The event features roundtables on various topics including sports, arts, ecology, youth work, and international mobility programs, with an emphasis on listening, questioning, and co-creating future collaborations. The conference is led by junior youth workers and is grounded in grassroots practice, with Natasha Karra representing the local community from Thessaloniki.
Sports Projects Promote Social Inclusion
Dimitris presented two projects on social inclusion through sports. The first project, "Social Inclusion and the Power of Sports," involved collaboration between two schools to promote inclusion and equal participation through structured sport-based activities. The program demonstrated significant positive outcomes, including increased sense of belonging and improved social interaction among students. The second project, "Rhythm of Life," was a winning IT project that explored creativity, well-being, and inclusion through collaborative activities across schools in Greece, Turkey, and other countries. The project emphasized digital collaboration and intercultural dialogue, with outcomes including improved self-confidence and cultural understanding among students.
Digital Education and Inclusive Technology
Bozidar presented a digital transformation project in Bosnia where 9-year-old students participate in real-time classes from home using a 65-inch LCD TV and graphic tablets, with two children attending remotely through Teams. Christina from the Technical University of Crete's Sense Lab presented their work on inclusive design, including the SandMap project which provides tactile 3D terrain models for children with motor impairments, and the Tablet for Goal Ball project which develops tactile maps for visually impaired athletes. The discussion concluded with potential collaboration opportunities between Bozidar's digital education project and the Sense Lab's inclusive technology initiatives.
Digital Education Trends and Challenges
The meeting focused on digitalization in education across different countries, with Reem and Bozidar discussing efforts in Egypt and Bosnia, respectively. They highlighted the importance of digital tools in education, noting that even in areas with limited internet access, mobile phones can be used as access points. EER and Christina from Greece shared their experiences with digital transformation, mentioning technical challenges and the need for specialized staff. They also discussed a recent trend in Central Europe of moving away from excessive digital tools in favor of more traditional teaching methods. The conversation then shifted to cultural issues and the role of culture in Western democracies, with Alexis moderating a discussion on maintaining the link between youth and culture. The conversation ended with an introduction to a panel discussion on experimental convergence between artistic fields and the role of cultural policy in the digital age.
Theater and AI: Challenges and Opportunities
Willy Maupetit, a French actor and theater director, discussed the role of theater in engaging young audiences and its importance as a communal art form. He highlighted the challenges faced by small cultural structures due to budget cuts and the need for collaboration with European partners to secure funding. Panagiotis Partsinevelos from the Technical University of Crete addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on youth cultural engagement, emphasizing the potential threats to human intelligence, social life, and speech posed by AI advancements. Both speakers expressed optimism for the future of art and education as a means to counteract these challenges.
Youth Culture and Urban Planning
The meeting focused on youth engagement with culture and urban planning initiatives. Maupetit emphasized the need for increased cultural funding and protection of artists, while Panagiotis suggested strengthening schools by integrating art into the curriculum. Sokratis presented a case study of a former military camp in Thessaloniki, highlighting how community efforts led to the creation of a green space, with 75% designated for nature and 25% for cultural and educational amenities. The discussion concluded with Mariam sharing her experience volunteering in the Karra School Garden project, which fostered community involvement and personal growth.
Urban Farming in Albanian Schools
Marvina presented on urban farming initiatives in Albanian schools, including a project funded by the Bulgarian embassy that installed solar panels and established eco-clubs. She described two main projects: one involving solar panels and greenhouses at Phuka Secondary School, and another focusing on sharing these experiences with four other schools including an agricultural high school. Korra asked about age groups involved in the activities, and Marvina explained that while the main participants were 6th to 8th graders, younger students were also included in activities. Korra expressed concern about how education systems devalue agricultural knowledge, particularly for older students, noting that such knowledge could be crucial for resilience in times of crisis.
Erasmus Plus Volunteer Exchange Updates
Milos presented on Erasmus Plus in Western Balkans, sharing experiences of sending and hosting volunteers for cultural exchange. He showed videos of volunteers' experiences in Turkey and Bosnia, highlighting successful outcomes including professional engagement and continued support from former volunteers. Ion from ACT NGO, a new organization from Romania, shared their social media presence and expressed interest in partnerships, while Eleni announced plans for a summer volunteering project focused on recycled materials and mentioned potential Key Action 2 applications.
NGO Collaboration and Project Initiatives
Andreea presented her NGO Empower Plus, which focuses on youth with fewer opportunities in Brasov, Romania, and shared details about their "Activate EU2" project aimed at increasing youth participation and city competencies. Lev inquired about connections with disability organizations, and Andreea offered to facilitate collaboration with their partner NGOs. Gabriel introduced his French NGO focused on digitalization and European values, expressing interest in future project collaborations. Hongbo presented a manifesto for animal welfare in Thessaloniki, proposing a shift from crisis management to a system of integrity, highlighting the need for public authorities, NGOs, and educators to address the stray animal crisis.
Stray Animal and Volunteer Visa Challenges
The meeting focused on addressing issues related to stray animals in Thessaloniki and visa challenges for young volunteers from non-EU countries. Hongbo presented a comprehensive proposal for improving animal welfare, including hydration decoupling, mobile vaccination clinics, environmental hygiene initiatives, and urban planning measures. The group discussed the importance of effective law enforcement and educational campaigns to address animal-related problems. EER highlighted the difficulties faced by young volunteers in obtaining visas for European Solidarity Corps programs, sharing experiences from previous participants. Rim and Maria shared their perspectives on the visa application process, emphasizing the emotional impact and systemic challenges faced by youth from countries with geopolitical tensions. The conversation ended with a call for more flexible visa policies to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities for young volunteers.
Marketing, Design, and Customer Insights
Lev, a graphic designer from Estonia, presented on marketing, advertising, and design, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs and creating value. He explained the difference between marketing and advertising, and discussed various design disciplines. Lev shared practical examples from his work with two companies in Thessaloniki, highlighting the success of his marketing and branding efforts. The presentation concluded with a discussion on the role of psychology in marketing and design, and the potential impact of AI in the field.
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