O1
To empower youth workers in Cyprus, Romania, and Europe with robust AI literacy, focusing on GenAI applications, ethical considerations, and digital safety to foster inclusive and forward-thinking youth development.
About the Project
A participatory pathway from being left behind to AI-ready.
Empowering youth workers and organisations with the knowledge and tools to navigate the AI-driven future safely and creatively.
Objectives
O2
To build the capacity of youth organisations through the integration of AI tools, improving operational efficiency and programme delivery, while ensuring compliance with European AI regulations and digital standards.
O3
Adopt a participatory approach by actively involving Youth NEETs, youth workers, AI Industry/Academic Experts in supporting the integration of Youth NEETs in the labour market.
Context and Motivation
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications are ubiquitous in daily life. The majority of young individuals engage with these applications, whether consciously or unconsciously; however, their comprehension of their functionality is limited, frequently leading to the underestimation or misattribution of results. To rectify these deficiencies, there has been a growing demand for universal AI literacy (Hornberger, Bewersdorff and Nerdel, 2023; Skjuve et al., 2023; Long and Magerko, 2020; Solyst et al., 2024).
Cyprus
In Cyprus, the share of youth not in education, employment or training (NEETs), total (percent of youth population) was reported at 11.95% in 2023, according to the World Bank. At the same time the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth is preparing a roadmap and action plan to introduce and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Cyprus' education system (CBN, 2024). Despite these advancements, according to the 2023 edition of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), Cyprus ranked 24th out of 27 EU Member States.
Romania
Romania continues to have the highest share of Youth NEETs in the EU (19.8% in 2022). Romania's government has approved a national AI strategy for 2024 to 2027 (Euractiv, 2024). Youth workers require specific competencies to effectively integrate AI into their professional activities and to support young people in navigating emerging opportunities.
Priority Alignment
The project aligns strongly with European priorities regarding digital transformation and youth empowerment. By creating the AI4YOU Hub and deploying comprehensive training, the project directly addresses digital readiness and the safe, ethical use of emerging technologies in non-formal education settings.
- →Promoting digital transformation and AI readiness in the youth sector.
- →Ensuring safe, ethical, and compliant use of emerging technologies.
- →Enhancing non-formal education through innovative digital tools.
End Goals
By the end of AI4YOU we expect:
- ✓A sustainable AI-literacy ecosystem for Youth NEETs and youth workers across Cyprus and Romania.
- ✓Confident, efficient youth organisations using AI tools to improve programme delivery.
- ✓AI used for empowerment and inclusion, minimising risk and disparity for underrepresented young people.
Our Approach
RESET
Project Management and Coordination
Coordinating the partnership, managing the budget and timeline, running the steering committee, and embedding quality assurance and green practices.
ACCELITI
Foundational AI Literacy Training Programme
Co-creating two flagship resources: an AI4YOU Toolkit for youth and a Training Pack for youth workers. Both produced in English, Greek, and Romanian and piloted before release.
ACCELITI
The AI4YOU Hub
A digital platform hosting the digitised training materials, a database of AI-oriented companies, virtual masterclasses with EU-based AI experts, and a community forum.
CIP
Trainings and Shadowing Placements
Delivering training to youth workers then Youth NEETs, organising educational visits, and arranging two-week job-shadowing placements. NEETs who complete the workshops are recognised as AI Changemakers.
RESET
Dissemination, Communication and Sustainability
Sharing results via social media, user-led videos, and a final dissemination event, and ensuring outputs remain available beyond the project's lifetime.