The Rise of the New Digital Citizens

TRON aims to encourage participants’ awareness about digital tools in democratic life through the conscious use of today’s digital tools, such as social media. Young people cannot perceive life without the internet. According to Statista, 4.57 billion people (59%) use the Internet actively. Among young adults (18-29 years old) 93% use the internet daily.

According to the EC, 1 in 5 young people fails to acquire basic digital competencies. Online personality, social interactions, and activities in the digital space are as important for young people as physical ones. The Internet is part of their reality, a reality, however, in which they were not educated to live. Young people consider themselves digital natives, and cannot understand life without internet access. Although they can easily browse online, they do not know how the internet works, what their rights and responsibilities are online and they are not aware of the dangers that exist in the digital space and so on. This is why “Tron” is so much needed: the aim is to develop competences about digital security and safety, how to debunk false news/information, and how to deal with malicious comments, racism, intolerance, and even threats. Young people need to develop digital knowledge and skills, as well as attitudes and values that can guide them to ethical and responsible online actions, develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the Internet, and acquire the skills needed to live safely in the digital world.

The project aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Educate young people as digital citizens;
• Increase communication and collaboration skills in the online environment;
• Increase the level of knowledge about digital rights and responsibilities;
• Develop the skills to use the internet safely;
• Understand how to use digital tools to promote participation as a core value for inclusion and cohesion in Europe;
• Develop critical thinking tools for everyday use and for social activism.

Participant’s profile:

• Has between 18 and 25 years old;
• Has Romanian Nationality;
• Presents knowledge / interest in the topic;
• Is motivated to participate in this youth exchange;
• Is willing to accomplish the project’s objectives;
• Is open to diversity and interculturality;
• Assume that they will share with others the knowledge, attitudes and abilities learned, and that they will be actively involved in all stages of the project.

Group leaders:

• No age limit;
• Have interpersonal and communication skills, team spirit, strategic thinking oriented to results;
• Promote a positive attitude at the group level;
• Have coordination, planning and organization skills;
• Have an advanced level of English;
• Have experience in volunteering, non-formal education and youth;
• Have competences to evaluate the learning process of young people.

Selection:

• Fitting in the participants’ profile;
• Motivation to participate and the quality of the application;
• Euroactive NGO volunteers and the members of the communities we are activating in have priority in the selection process;
• Gender balance;
• Priority will be given to young people with fewer opportunities and young people who have not participated in the Erasmus + program until now.

Number: 5 participants + 1 group leader (18+ years old)

The selection results will be sent by email to all candidates at the latest 1st of May 2023.

Costs:

1. The participation costs (accommodation, food, materials etc.) will be covered by the organizers. Also, the transportation will be reimbursed according with the attached Info-pack and Erasmus+ regulations (maximum 275 euro/participant).

2. The selected candidates must advance the amounts necessary to cover the transport costs to the place of the mobility, using the cheapest means: flight ticket (economy class, low cost), train ticket (2nd class), bus, carpooling etc.

3. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be covered from your own expense.

4. An amount of 25 euro will be perceived by the sending organization as a co-financing of the participant to the project (not applied to Euroactive volunteers and young people with economic difficulties).

Application procedure:

1. Carefully read through the info-pack and participant contract to make sure you understand the project details and requirements.

2. Complete the application form with accurate and complete information. We strongly advise you to fill out the application form by yourself and to be honest and original in your responses. The purpose of the application is to get to know you better and to understand why you are interested in our project. It is important that your application reflects your own thoughts and ideas.

3. Submit your application before the deadline. Please note that late applications may not be considered.

4. After the application deadline has passed, we will notify you of the results by email. Please check your email regularly and also your spam folder in case our email gets filtered there.

5. If you are selected to participate in the project, you will be required to sign the participant contract within 3 days and send it back to us via email. Please read the contract carefully and ensure that you understand and agree to the terms and conditions before signing.

6. You will also need to send a contribution fee of 25 euro to our association account. If you are a young person with fewer opportunities and cannot afford to pay the fee, please contact us to request an exception. We may require documentation to support your request. Please note that when you sign and submit the participant contract, you will also need to attach proof of payment for the contribution fee of 25 euro.

7. Once you have completed all the necessary steps, you will be ready to participate in the project. We will provide you with all the additional instructions or guidelines to ensure that you have a successful and enjoyable experience.

Thank you for your interest in our project, and we look forward to hearing from you!

For any questions, do not hesitate to contact us!