The project “BALANCE AI – Mental Wellbeing and Ethical AI Use” aims to strengthen the wellbeing, resilience and active participation of young people by responding to clearly identified challenges observed in contemporary youth work practice. Youth organisations involved in the project report increasing levels of digital pressure among young people: constant online presence, exposure to algorithm-driven content, performance comparison on social media, reduced attention span and emotional overload. These trends directly affect young people’s mental wellbeing, self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. The situation is particularly visible among young people with fewer opportunities, who often lack access to structured youth work support, preventive wellbeing education and safe spaces for reflection. From a youth work perspective, the project has the following main objectives: Strengthening mental wellbeing competences The project aims to equip young people with practical knowledge and tools to better understand emotional signals, stress factors and digital overload. Through non-formal education, reflection sessions and experiential learning, participants will develop emotional self-awareness, self-regulation strategies and balanced daily routines. The objective is not therapeutic intervention, but preventive youth work practice that supports long-term resilience and healthier behaviour patterns. Promoting responsible and ethical digital engagement The project addresses the growing influence of digital platforms and AI-driven systems on young people’s everyday life. Participants will explore how algorithms shape information flow, behaviour patterns and perceptions. The objective is to strengthen critical thinking, media literacy and ethical awareness, enabling young people to use digital tools consciously rather than passively. This directly contributes to the development of digital youth work competences aligned with Erasmus+ priorities. Reinforcing meaningful youth participation The project is designed as youth-led and participatory. Young people are involved in shaping activities, facilitating sessions and reflecting on learning outcomes. By practicing shared responsibility, peer learning and intercultural cooperation, participants strengthen communication skills, initiative and confidence. From a youth work standpoint, this supports active citizenship and democratic participation. Ensuring inclusion and equal access A core objective is the meaningful inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities. The project ensures that at least 50% of participants face geographical, economic, social or cultural barriers. Through reinforced mentorship, structured support and safe group dynamics, the project reduces participation barriers and promotes equal learning opportunities. Inclusion is embedded in recruitment, methodology and safeguarding procedures. Enhancing youth work quality and organisational capacity Beyond individual learning outcomes, the project aims to strengthen the quality of youth work practice within partner organisations. By integrating wellbeing-oriented methods, digital awareness and inclusive facilitation approaches, the project contributes to sustainable methodological development. The experience gained will be transferred into future local youth initiatives, strengthening professional youth work standards. Overall, the project seeks to provide young people with practical competences, ethical awareness and confidence to navigate digital and social environments in a balanced and responsible way. At the same time, it strengthens inclusive, participatory and wellbeing-oriented youth work practices at local and European level. Through this integrated approach, the project contributes to building more resilient young people and stronger youth work ecosystems aligned with Erasmus+ Youth Quality Standards.