Launch of the Digital Compass Toolkit: A Guide to Digital Citizenship for Youth Workers

We are thrilled to announce the release of the Digital Compass Toolkit, a comprehensive new resource developed as part of the E-Citizen Quest project, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme. This toolkit is designed to help youth workers and young people across Europe understand and embrace the concept of digital citizenship.

The E-Citizen Quest project was more than just a training course, it was a mission to build responsible and informed online communities. Held in Niš, Serbia, from June 3rd to June 12th, this training brought together 27 youth workers from nine European countries to tackle a growing issue: the need for quality digital citizenship education. In an age where the line between online and offline life is increasingly blurred, the project emphasized that responsible online behavior is just as important as the way we interact in person.

Why Digital Citizenship?

Digital citizenship goes beyond just knowing how to use technology; it’s about understanding the responsibilities that come with it. The internet is an essential part of our daily lives, but without proper education, it can also be a place where miscommunication, disrespect, and harm are common. E-Citizen Quest took on the challenge of equipping youth workers with practical tools and new approaches to teach young people the values of digital citizenship, including digital rights, respectful communication, and understanding the impact of one’s actions online.

The toolkit emphasizes that our digital presence should reflect who we are in real life—our words, behaviors, and actions online should align with our values offline. By promoting these ideas, we aim to raise awareness about digital rights and encourage individuals to be conscious of their digital footprint, creating safer online spaces for everyone.

What’s Inside the Digital Compass Toolkit?

The Digital Compass Toolkit is the culmination of months of hard work by youth workers and experts. This toolkit offers:

• Interactive Activities – A variety of non-formal education exercises designed to engage young people in meaningful discussions and explorations about digital citizenship.
• Practical Guides – Resources to help youth workers address specific challenges around digital behavior, online rights, and responsibilities.
• Digital Transformation Tools – Guidance on adapting to the digital world in a way that respects others and fosters positive interactions online.

The toolkit also includes insights on how digital citizenship connects to real-world issues and provides youth workers with activities that are both educational and fun. Through these interactive methods, young people learn the core principles of digital citizenship, such as respect, accountability, and awareness of digital rights.

Partners Across Europe

This project couldn’t have happened without our incredible team of partners, who brought a wealth of experience and enthusiasm from their respective countries:

• Debatni klub Grada Niša (Coordinator) – Serbia
• Beyond Experience – Bulgaria
• Ticket2Europe – Spain
• ECHR – France
• Euroactive – Romania
• Youth-Cultural Initiatives Association Art – Poland
• Yengecder Ngo – Turkiye
• Združenje državljanov Središče Novosti – Slovenia
• Objektivní Evropa – Czechia

Each organization contributed to developing this toolkit, ensuring it meets the needs of youth workers throughout Europe. We’re grateful to all our partners for their dedication to improving the quality of youth work and creating more supportive digital spaces for young people.

Why Use the Digital Compass Toolkit?

The Digital Compass Toolkit is designed for youth workers, but it’s also a valuable resource for young people who want to explore digital citizenship independently. By using this toolkit, youth workers can introduce complex topics in a way that feels approachable and relevant to today’s digital landscape. It’s perfect for anyone looking to:

• Help young people understand the importance of respectful online behavior.
• Explore digital rights and responsibilities with engaging, interactive activities.
• Encourage positive digital transformations in their communities.

We believe the toolkit is a significant step forward in supporting young people’s journeys as responsible digital citizens. We invite all youth workers to explore the toolkit and integrate it into their work. By working together, we can create a safer, more respectful online environment for everyone.

Check out the Digital Compass Toolkit here!