Beyond the Screen
Youth Exchange - Romania, Curteni 

7-15 June 2025

The youth exchange was created to give young participants the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world safely. From interactive workshops to team-building games, we explored topics like: 

 Spotting phishing attempts and online scams
Participants learned how to identify fake messages, suspicious links, and avoid falling victim to online fraud.

 Understanding what digital safety means
From password protection to online privacy, this session built the foundation for smart, safe digital behavior.

 Exploring their digital footprint and online identity
Teens reflected on how their posts, clicks, and shares shape their long-term digital presence.

 Promoting digital wellbeing and healthy tech habits
This workshop encouraged balance—teaching mindful screen use and the importance of offline time.

 Recognizing and responding to cyberbullying
Participants discovered how to identify online harassment, take action, and support their peers.

Activity Objectives: What We Achieved 

1.Increase understanding and awareness of digital safety and cybersecurity among young participants through interactive workshops and non-formal education methods. 

2.Empower participants to become advocates for responsible digital behavior by developing strategies to promote online safety within their communities. 

3.Equip participants with practical skills to identify and respond to digital threats, while fostering critical thinking around data privacy, cyberbullying, and online communication. 

Who Were the Participants?

The project brought together young teens aged 13–14 from Romania and Hungary

They were curious, creative, and hungry to learn. And most importantly—they now carry with them the skills to stay safe online and the power to make change in their communities.

Beyond the Screen: Dive Into Our Experience 

Discovering Our Digital Footprint

Participants worked in small teams to explore what a digital footprint is and how online activities like social media and gaming leave traces. They created posters and shared their findings, learning why it’s important to manage their digital footprint. The activity ended with a fun sorting game to practice what they’d learned.

Celebrating Cultures | Intercultural Evenings 

No youth exchange is complete without a taste of each other’s culture—and we did it in style!

We dedicated two unforgettable nights to intercultural evenings, where participants from Romania and Hungary took the lead in sharing their traditions, music, food, and fun.

These nights were more than just entertainment—they were a celebration of interculturality, showing how learning about each other’s backgrounds can build stronger bonds and mutual respect. Plus, they were a whole lot of fun! 

What Comes Next: DEOR & Follow-Up 

One of the most important goals of an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is to create a meaningful impact—not just during the activity, but long after it ends.

Through our DEOR (Dissemination and Exploitation of Results) Plan, participants were encouraged to take what they learned and share it with others—in schools, youth clubs, or online. They became local ambassadors for digital safety, using creative tools like presentations, posters, or even social media challenges to spread awareness in their communities.

Because at its heart, a youth exchange like Beyond the Screen is not just about learning—it's about empowering young people to make a difference, in their own lives and in the world around them. 

Spreading the Impact: DEOR in Action 

“Beyond the Screen” showed us that digital safety is not just a topic—it’s a life skill. Empowering young people with the tools to protect themselves online is not just about avoiding danger—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and community in a digital world.

Results of D.E.O.R

Awareness Raised

Through the dissemination activities carried out after the mobility, participants successfully raised awareness about the Erasmus+ programme and the learning experience offered through the Beyond the Screen youth exchange.

They presented the main theme of the exchange — digital safety and cybersecurity — and shared what they learned about digital footprints, online risks, and responsible internet use.

Their presentations, posters, photos, and interactive discussions helped classmates, teachers, and community members better understand the purpose of the mobility and the value of participating in Erasmus+ youth exchanges.

Skills and Competences Shared

During their dissemination sessions, participants shared the concrete skills and knowledge they gained during the mobility, such as:

Identifying elements of their digital footprint, recognising phishing techniques and online deception, promoting safe online behaviour through Digital Ambassador actions, applying creativity and emotional expression through art therapy activities, solving digital challenges and working as a team during the CyberQuest in Sighișoara.

These presentations helped spread essential digital literacy and cybersecurity skills within their schools and communities, contributing to a safer online culture.

Inspiration and Motivation

The peer-to-peer nature of the dissemination activities made a strong impact. By sharing their experiences, challenges, and favourite moments from the mobility, participants inspired other young people to reflect on their own online habits and take a more responsible approach to the digital world.

Some dissemination events sparked interest among peers to join future Erasmus+ youth exchanges, showing how impactful personal stories can be in motivating others.

The experience also encouraged participants to continue acting as digital safety role models, spreading positive online behaviours long after the mobility ended.

Impact of Beyond the Screen

The impact of Beyond the Screen has been meaningful and long-lasting, shaping participants’ understanding of digital safety while supporting their personal and social growth.

Many shared how the youth exchange encouraged safer digital habits and more mindful online behavior:
|“I am more inclined to take precautions in my day-to-day life regarding cyber security and using the online tools available.”

Others highlighted how they passed on what they learned to those around them:
| “I shared the information I learned with my family, friends and I learned how to communicate better while speaking English.”

Several participants described the boost in confidence and social ease they experienced:
| “I become more confident in socialising and learned a lot.”

Others expressed how the exchange improved their practical awareness online:
| “I don't click on suspicious links.”

Many also explained how they applied what they learned back home by promoting online safety within their communities:
| “I applied the knowledge in my home country by being more safe online and helping my friends too.”

Teachers also saw direct impact in their classrooms:
| “I encouraged students to reflect on their digital behavior and worked with them to create awareness materials for the school. The experience also helped me guide them more confidently in navigating the online world responsibly.”

Some participants described in detail how actively they transferred their learning to their families, schools, and peers:
| “I have applied the knowledge and experiences gained from the Youth Exchange in several ways within my home community. I started talking more with my friends and family about online safety and shared useful tips such as using strong and unique passwords, enabling two- factor authentication, and recognizing phishing attempts. I also helped some of my friends develop safer digital habits by showing  them how to use password managers and protect their personal data. In my school community, I talked about the importance of cybersecurity and encouraged others to be more aware of their online behavior. This program gave me not only useful knowledge but also the confidence to speak openly about these topics and help others navigate the digital world more safely.”

Others focused on helping their families become safer online:
| “I helped my family members use the internet more and told them how important it is to keep their personal data safe.”

Some participants took initiative in their local communities, connecting digital safety with intercultural communication:
| “I have tried to apply the knowledge and experiences I gained during the Youth Exchange in my local community by organizing discussions and small events where I shared the importance of cultural openness, cooperation, and dialogue between young people. I also encouraged others to participate in similar international programs because I believe these opportunities are valuable both on a personal and community level.”

For many, the exchange created lasting friendships and a strong emotional impact:
| “I made many friends and I gained a lot of knowledge about online safety. Personally I loved this experience and it definitely made a big impact on me, I really miss being there.”

Others mentioned newfound social confidence:
| “I’m not scared of socialising anymore.”

Teachers also observed personal and professional growth in themselves:
| “I became more aware of the digital risks young people face and more prepared to support them. The exchange also inspired me to create a more open space for dialogue about online behavior in the classroom.”

Some participants shared how the experience transformed them both personally and socially:
| “The Youth Exchange had a big impact on me because it helped me grow both personally and socially. I became more confident, open-minded, and motivated to learn new things. I improved my English communication skills and learned a lot about online safety and cybersecurity, which I now use in my daily life. It was also the first time I worked closely with people from different countries, and this helped me understand other cultures better and develop stronger teamwork skills. The experience inspired me to step out of my comfort zone, share my ideas, and be more active in my community. Overall, it changed the way I see the world and encouraged me to keep learning and connecting with others.”

Others expressed how the exchange opened them to new cultures and future opportunities:
| “The Youth Exchange had a big impact on me because it helped me step out of my comfort zone and meet new people and cultures. It improved my communication skills, made me more confident in speaking English, and taught me to be more open to different perspectives. This experience also motivated me to get more involved in my local community and to participate in more international projects in the future.”

Through Beyond the Screen, participants not only developed essential digital safety and cybersecurity competences, but also gained confidence, intercultural understanding, and the motivation to share responsible online habits with their communities. The exchange empowered them to become more aware, more proactive, and more supportive of others in navigating the digital world — creating impact that continues far beyond the mobility itself.

Press Coverage by External Media

The Beyond the Screen youth exchange has been featured in several articles and press releases by external media outlets. These publications highlighted the activities, outcomes, and impact of the mobility, helping to raise awareness about digital safety, cybersecurity, and the Erasmus+ program. 

Check them out here!

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