Side by Side – The Human Factor in the Age of AI – Strategic Framework

Side of Intelligence

Training Course

Training Course

Evrenseki, Side | 05.12.2025 – 13.12.2025

Why this project?

The way we work with young people needs to evolve together with the world around us. Artificial Intelligence is already present in the tools, platforms, and learning spaces we use every day. For us, as youth workers, this means developing a clear and balanced understanding of what AI can offer, what it cannot replace, and how it can be used responsibly.

Many professionals feel unprepared to engage with these changes, often relying on outdated practices or external expertise. This project was created to respond to that gap — to give youth workers the chance to learn, discuss, and experiment with AI in a structured, ethical, and practical way.

Beyond the Hype

Everyday Automation

Not Neutral

With Intent

By Design

Digital, Not Blind

Powered by Humans

Purpose and Objectives

Side of Intelligence aimed to empower youth workers with awareness, critical understanding, and practical insights into Artificial Intelligence, exploring both its promises and challenges, while fostering an ethical, human-centered approach to innovation and digital transformation in youth work.

Cognitive Offloading

Ctrl + Reflect

Tested on Reality

Ethics Included

Brains Still Matter

Pause Before Deploy

People Over Process

AI Fundamentals

To build a shared understanding among youth workers of what Artificial Intelligence is, how it works, and where it’s heading.

Ethical Reflection

To reflect critically on the ethical, social, and safety implications of AI in education and youth work.

Context Aware

Still Thinking

Known Limits

Human Oversight

Shared Practice

Learning Across Borders

Accountability Stands

Responsible Integration

To identify and experiment with practical, responsible ways to integrate AI tools into non-formal learning and youth engagement.

European Collaboration

To strengthen partnerships and create a European network of organisations committed to ethical digital innovation.

Activities and Methods

The project was implemented over 7 working days and followed a progressive learning structure based on non-formal education methods, including group work, peer learning, discussion, and practical experimentation.

Participants explored the history and development of Artificial Intelligence, followed by hands-on sessions where they tested different AI tools and reflected on their relevance for youth work and education. The focus was on understanding possibilities, limits, and responsible use rather than technical performance.

Through facilitated discussions and collaborative workshops, participants shared experiences from their organisations and worked together to identify practical ways to integrate AI into youth work. Learning was complemented by an interactive AI-based treasure hunt, which introduced playful elements while encouraging reflection on technology and learning processes.

The programme also addressed the impact of AI on the role of youth workers and education, supported by resource sharing and peer exchange. A key outcome was the co-creation of a Memorandum of Understanding on AI in youth work, reflecting shared principles and commitments.

Dedicated networking sessions supported partnership building, identification of common needs, and the development of future joint initiatives at European level.

Project Results

The project resulted in a set of practical, working materials developed collaboratively by the partner organisations during the training course.

AI Tools Padlet

A shared Padlet was developed and refined to collect and document AI tools relevant for youth work practice.

The Padlet is structured as a clear visual board, where each tool is presented individually with a short description and a direct access link. The tools are grouped thematically, making it easy to browse, compare, and return to them when planning activities or internal work.

The format allows users to quickly understand what each tool is used for and to access it directly, based on the way the tools were presented and tested during the project activities.

PESTLE Analysis – Miro Board

A shared Miro Board was used to carry out a structured PESTLE analysis (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) on the impact of AI and digital transformation on youth work. The board brings together the perspectives of all partner organisations and documents the key risks, opportunities, and contextual factors identified during the analysis sessions.

Memorandum of Understanding

Based on the outcomes of the PESTLE analysis and the joint discussions held during the project, the partners developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU captures the shared understanding reached on AI, digital transformation, and the future of youth work, and outlines common principles and areas of cooperation. It serves as a non-binding reference framework for continued collaboration between the partner organisations after the end of the project.

Incredible! I learnt so many new AI tools that I wasn’t aware of before! I even had a dream tonight (literally) about how my work became so much easier and how my NGO achieved its funding goals in a much easier way so as to leave more time and energy for the actual hands-on youth work! I met great people here and already planned exciting and impactful project ideas, which I will 100% work on. I feel like this project was one of the most impactful projects in the whole 2025 for me as a coordinator of young youth NGO 😎💡 The project is a 100% success! As well as the project organisers and facilitators, who are truly inspiring and kind people! Sharing knowledge freely and wishing well to everyone who is willing to learn – great mentors!

It has been a good learning experience for me, especially to think more critically about the use of AI in our work. One of the key things for me is that, I am thinking more about the future scenarios and the impact of AI in our everyday life, and how the scope of work will evolve for youth workers in near future.  

First of all, it was amazing experience from which I completely fulfilled my expectations and things from learning plans that I set before the youth exchange. Logistics – literally no complaints – Food, accommodation, facilities, workshop rooms, breaks were amazing – everything was provided from beverages to food and spaces to work. Rooms were amazing together with hotel staff and receptionists. Project team – I am so glad I finally got to meet you. You guys are very professional and very well informed about the topic you presented us. I’ve learned about new tools I’ve never heard about such as Notebook LLM, Gamma, the google thing that automates everything on the site which I am definitely going to try out for our NGO. I especially enjoyed different discussion about ethic problems with AI, its history, issues, opportunities and possible risks that are coming, especially in youth work. Since I currently plan to write KA1 project about AI for February deadline I am so happy I got many ideas which I plan to implement during this upcoming project. […] Thanks once more for amazing experience, well prepared workshops and fun time you guys provided us with! Looking forward to future collaborations and projects!

I am very happy to be in this TC, and also very happy for disscusions that were. This was very fruitfull were I heard more about AI, tools had opportunity to test some. I am a bit anxious and courious of what future brings to us, especially in work with youth.

I will bring with me AI tools, but also some ideas how I can fasten the processes in my organisation and how to use ChatGPT in advanced mode.

For me personally, that was the most interesting topic I have worked on in the world of Erasmus+. AI is the future, and this project has equiped me with skills which I cannot wait to discover more of and apply to both in personal and (youth) work aspects. I certainly feel very confident in using AI after this, since this project had a very positive impact on me. Please, PLEASE, make more AI-oriented projects. Since this world is changing and technology is advancing rapidly, more projects like this are needed. Thank you. It was perfect. Of course the people I had the opportunity to work with here were very nice, kind, and knowledgeable. I know for a fact that not only did I meet a few new partners, but I also made a few new good friends along the way. Thank you for the experience!!!

It was very insightful, I learnt about a variety of different AI tools, from programming to image generation AIs. I also learnt about the different possible risks that might come with the existence of AI and how to adapt to an ever fast changing world where AI is becoming the backbone of all our digital systems. This project opened my mind to the new reality that is already part of our society, it raised my awareness on AI-related knowledge and motivated me to deeply explore the topic to expand my knowledge and help youngsters in my local community adapt in this new reality. But the most important thing is not only the knowledge, it’s the people we shared the experience here with, and the partnerships that might appear in the future.

Co-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.

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