In an impactful initiative against cyberbullying, the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange “Kindness counts, it starts with you!” brought together 43 young participants from Spain, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Poland. Held from January 20th to 28th, 2024, in Alicante, Spain, this event was an act of hope and a positive step in the fight against the serious problem of youngsters cyberbullying. Through the use of a non-formal education method, the initiative intended to provide youth with the information, abilities, and comprehension required to successfully address cyberbullying.

Engaging Activities for Meaningful Learning

The exchange featured a series of interactive and creative workshops, including:

• Digital Literacy and Critical Thinking: Participants improved their digital literacy and developed a critical viewpoint on internet content through games and simulations.
• Empathy and Understanding: Role-playing games increased empathy and understanding by focusing on the experiences of individuals impacted by cyberbullying.
• Expressive Arts: Photography, videography, and creative writing workshops encouraged young people to share their views and experiences, contributing to a richer dialogue on cyberbullying.
• Digital Privacy and Security: Participants learned crucial aspects of digital security, focusing on protecting personal information and online accounts.

Transformative Impact on Participants

The project boasted significant outcomes for the participants, including:

Increased awareness, personal development, improved critical thinking, and cultural and social exchange.

Lasting Outcomes and Resources

The youth exchange culminated in the creation of valuable resources and initiatives:

A booklet capturing the project’s key learnings.

A dedicated website blog featuring detailed insights into the workshops, participant testimonials, and materials developed during the project.

Social media campaignsv and creative online content developed by participants, aimed at spreading awareness and engaging a broader audience.

A follow-up event planned by participants to continue the dialogue and impact of the project.

Video summarizing workshops, video testimonials, and visuals to further disseminate the project’s impact.

“Kindness counts, it starts with you!” sets an example for future youth exchanges by building a supportive and collaborative environment, emphasising the power of collective action in addressing societal challenges such as cyberbullying.