The “AI&ME: Emotional intelligence in a digital world” youth exchange aims to empower young people to become conscious, emotionally intelligent and ethically responsible users of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence. The project addresses the growing influence of AI on young people’s wellbeing, decision-making, relationships and future opportunities, as well as the need for youth work to respond to these changes in a human-centred, inclusive and values-driven way. From a youth work practice perspective, the project focuses on strengthening young people’s emotional intelligence, digital awareness and critical thinking through non-formal education methods. Participants will explore how AI influences emotions, self-image, communication and mental wellbeing, and how it can be used responsibly to support creativity, learning and social inclusion rather than stress, dependency or exclusion. Another key goal is to equip young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, with practical tools and competences to navigate the digital world safely and confidently. Through experiential learning, reflection and peer exchange, participants will develop skills such as emotional self-regulation, ethical decision-making, digital resilience and responsible online participation, which are directly transferable to their daily lives and local communities. By bridging emotional intelligence and AI awareness, the project encourages young people to place human values, empathy and wellbeing at the centre of digital innovation. This approach empowers participants to become more self-aware, resilient and ethically minded users of technology, while strengthening their capacity for active participation, dialogue and responsible citizenship in an increasingly digital society. The specific objectives of the project are: - To strengthen emotional intelligence competences such as self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy and communication of at least 24 young people aged 18–26, including young people with fewer opportunities, through 6 days of non-formal learning activities during the youth exchange, with at least 90% of participants reporting improved emotional intelligence by the end of the project. - To develop participants’ understanding of Artificial Intelligence, including its opportunities, limitations and ethical dimensions, by implementing interactive workshops and hands-on activities, enabling at least 90% of participants to demonstrate basic knowledge of responsible and ethical AI use by the final evaluation. - To empower young people to use AI tools in ways that support wellbeing, creativity and social inclusion, by engaging participants in creative group-based AI activities that result in youth-created outputs such as digital stories, artworks and wellbeing-oriented content by the end of the exchange. - To reduce stigma around mental health and emotional expression by creating safe spaces, daily reflection sessions and peer-learning activities, ensuring that at least 85% of participants feel more confident discussing emotions and mental wellbeing after the project. - To foster critical thinking, digital responsibility and democratic participation, by involving participants in debates, discussions and simulations related to AI and society, strengthening their ability to critically assess digital content and express informed opinions. - To encourage youth-led initiatives and community engagement, by supporting participants to co-design follow-up ideas and initiatives that combine emotional intelligence and technology, with at least four initiatives planned for implementation or dissemination at local and international level after the youth exchange.