By implementing SAFE-NET, we aim to strengthen the capacity of youth workers to address the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation, ensuring that they are better equipped to guide young people in developing healthy, balanced, and critical relationships with technology. The project responds to pressing needs in youth work practice, where youth workers increasingly encounter issues such as excessive reliance on social media, misinformation, dependency on digital tools, and uncritical use of Artificial Intelligence. These challenges directly affect young people’s wellbeing, critical thinking, and participation in society, making it essential for youth workers to acquire the competences, methods, and resources to address them effectively. From the perspective of youth work practice, SAFE-NET seeks to achieve several interlinked objectives: 1. Strengthening digital competences in youth work Youth workers will gain deeper knowledge of digital wellbeing, media literacy, and AI-related challenges, moving beyond surface-level understanding of technology. The objective is to enable them to recognise both the risks (dependency, fake content, reduced attention span, ethical dilemmas) and the opportunities (innovation, participation, communication) of digital transformation. In practice, this means youth workers will be better prepared to hold informed discussions with young people, to design workshops on digital topics, and to integrate digital tools responsibly into their programmes. 2. Developing innovative non-formal methods for digital wellbeing SAFE-NET will empower youth workers to expand their methodological toolkit with non-formal education methods that address digital realities in engaging and accessible ways. Through role plays, simulations, case studies, peer-to-peer workshops, and experiential exercises such as digital detox, youth workers will learn how to create learning experiences that resonate with young people. This directly supports youth work practice by giving practitioners practical, ready-to-use methods to integrate into their daily activities. 3. Building resilience and critical thinking in young people through youth workers One of the project’s key aims is to ensure that youth workers are able to help young people resist manipulation, misinformation, and unhealthy digital habits. By training youth workers in facilitation, mentoring, and critical pedagogy, SAFE-NET equips them to support youth in developing resilience, self-awareness, and informed decision-making. This contributes to youth work practice by aligning with its core mission: empowering young people to become autonomous, active, and critical citizens. 4. Promoting balance between online and offline life Youth workers often observe that young people struggle to manage their time and attention between digital and real-world activities. SAFE-NET will provide tools to help them facilitate discussions and workshops that promote wellbeing, mindfulness, and healthier digital habits. This enhances youth work practice by integrating wellbeing perspectives into digital education, ensuring that youth work is not only about skills but also about holistic personal development. 5. Creating sustainable resources for youth work Through the co-creation of the Digital Wellbeing Toolkit, youth workers will collaboratively develop a structured, practical resource that can be applied in youth clubs, schools, and NGOs. The toolkit will outlive the project itself and provide continuity, ensuring that the learning is embedded into youth work practice beyond the mobility. For youth workers, this means they will leave with not only new competences but also tangible materials that support their ongoing activities. 6. Enhancing cooperation and European networking in youth work By bringing together youth workers from four countries, SAFE-NET creates an international space for exchanging practices and building shared understanding of digital issues. This fosters innovation, as participants are exposed to diverse realities and approaches, and strengthens the European dimension of youth work. The networks and partnerships built during the project will enable youth workers to continue learning from each other and to collaborate on future initiatives. 7. Improving recognition of competences in youth work Another objective is to ensure that youth workers can clearly recognise, document, and communicate their own learning. Through systematic reflection, competence mapping, and Youthpass, participants will leave the project more aware of their professional growth. This recognition strengthens youth work practice by giving practitioners a stronger professional identity and increasing the credibility of youth work in society.