The YOUTH-LENS project is a 36-month initiative funded under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Youth programme, designed to empower youth in the Western Balkans (Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro) by enhancing media literacy, digital skills, and civic engagement. Led by a consortium of six partners—Xenios Polis (Greece), ARSINOE (Cyprus), the Center for Education and Development (CED) and Young Professionals Network (YPN) from Albania, COSV from Montenegro, and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights Kosovo office (YIHR Kosovo)—the project addresses critical challenges such as misinformation, digital exclusion, and limited youth participation. The project is structured around five work packages (WPs): WP1: Management and Quality Assurance, WP2: Capacity Building and Media Literacy Training WP3: Civic Engagement and Digital Advocacy, WP4: Online Learning Platform and Youth Exchange, WP5: Marketing, Communication, and Dissemination YOUTH-LENS contributes to the EU Youth Strategy (2019–2027), the European Youth Work Agenda, the Youth Action Plan in the EU External Action (2022–2027) including the Africa-Europe Youth Academy, and the follow-up of the European Year of Skills (2023) by promoting quality learning, inclusive societies, and employability. With a robust management structure, risk mitigation, and dissemination through digital and in-person channels, the project ensures cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Post-funding, the platform and manual will continue to educate youth, policy recommendations will drive reforms, and synergies with different initiatives will amplify long-term impact, empowering a generation to navigate and shape a safer digital future.