Digital and Innovative Smart Youth Work: Training for the Future Youth Workers is an Erasmus+ Training Course (KA153-YOU) in Pinarella di Cervia, Italy, from 11 to 17 December 2026 (including travel days). It is open to youth workers aged 18+, with no upper age limit, from Italy, Czechia, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Türkiye, Morocco and Jordan. Accommodation, meals, training activities and materials are covered, and travel is reimbursed under Erasmus+ rules. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the call and the full infopack, and this guide brings every detail together.
What Is This Training Course About?
It is an international training course that prepares youth workers to engage young people with modern digital tools, methods and approaches. Its goal is a more innovative, resilient and inclusive youth work sector, with skills that stay with participants long after the project ends.
The course strengthens the digital competences, innovation capacity and adaptability of youth workers. Participants explore artificial intelligence, gamification, digital storytelling, online safety and social media strategies through hands-on, non-formal learning. Each participant designs a mini-project and an action plan to apply back home with young people.
The call sums it up simply: ready to transform your youth work? You will connect with international youth workers and discover creative digital tools to inspire and empower young people. If this format is new to you, our guide explains what an Erasmus+ training course is and how it works for youth workers.
Who Organises It?
The project is coordinated by ARCUS, an Italian independent youth association based in Carpi (Modena). Since its foundation in 2007, its aim has been to offer local youth the best opportunities to enrich their lives through intercultural learning and non-formal education, to broaden their horizons and improve general well-being.
All workshops, seminars, experiential learning and skills development events delivered by ARCUS are designed to be engaging, participatory and actively involving. The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
Project Objectives
🛠️ Digital confidence: strengthen the digital competences of youth workers so they can use digital tools confidently in daily youth work
🎮 Smart approaches: integrate innovative methods such as gamification, virtual facilitation, digital storytelling and AI into non-formal education
🌱 Resilience: foster the resilience and adaptability of youth workers, including remote and blended youth work in times of change
🤝 Cooperation: encourage cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge exchange among youth workers from different countries
📣 Visibility: increase the quality and visibility of youth work at local and European levels
Six Training Topics
🤖 Artificial intelligence in youth work
📱 Social media strategies for awareness-raising
💬 Digital tools for communication and engagement
🔐 Online safety and cybersecurity for youth
🎲 Gamification in non-formal education
🎬 Digital storytelling for youth empowerment
How You Will Learn
The programme is built on non-formal education, with a strong practical focus:
💻 Hands-on digital tool workshops
☕ World café and group discussions
🎭 Digital simulations and role plays
👥 Peer-to-peer learning
🧪 Creative labs with design thinking
🪞 Daily reflection groups
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to youth workers, educators, trainers, youth leaders and others actively involved in the youth field, particularly those interested in digital innovation, artificial intelligence and new approaches to youth work. The infopack describes the ideal participant as someone who is:
🎯 Active and motivated: a youth worker active at local or international level who is motivated to bring digital and smart tools into their work
🌉 A bridge: ready to act as a bridge between the project and young people in their own communities
📢 Ready to share: willing to share results through local workshops, blog posts, videos and social media
🎂 Age: 18 or older, with no upper age limit
If you want to see how your profile fits this kind of project, read our guide on the role of youth workers in Erasmus+ and ESC projects.
Inclusion: Who Is Strongly Encouraged
Youth workers from rural areas, minority backgrounds or working with marginalised young people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Group Size and Gender Balance
🔢 4 participants per partner country
🗺️ 8 countries taking part
⚖️ Gender balance: each organisation sends a group of 2 women and 2 men
Partner Organisations
🇮🇹 Associazione ARCUS (Italy, coordinator)
🇹🇷 Inovatif Potansiyel Uretim ve Teknolojileri Dernegi (INPUT) (Türkiye)
🇨🇿 Youth and World z.s. (Czechia)
🇬🇷 Network for European Citizenship and Identity Hellas (NECI GR) (Greece)
🇱🇹 Asociacija Aktyvistai (Lithuania)
🇷🇴 Asociatia ALLONS-Y (Romania)
🇲🇦 Mediterranean Forum for Social Development (Morocco)
🇯🇴 Desert Bloom for Training and Sustainable Development (Jordan)
Your Journey: Before, During, After and Share
The training course is one part of a longer learning path:
🧭 Before: an online preparatory meeting, a Needs Assessment Form and a local orientation session
🏫 During: the training course in Cervia, your mini-project and action plan, and daily reflection groups
🏘️ After: local workshops and info sessions, online campaigns or digital projects, and an alumni network
📝 Share: blog posts and video testimonials, multiplier events and webinars, and a final evaluation meeting
Key Dates Day by Day
🛬 Friday 11 December: arrival day
📚 Saturday 12 to Wednesday 16 December: training days
🛫 Thursday 17 December: departure day
Arrive on 11 December (check-in from 2:00 PM) and leave on 17 December (check-out by 9:00 AM).
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Can You Arrive Earlier or Stay Longer?
Yes. You may arrive up to 2 days before 11 December or leave up to 2 days after 17 December, in line with Erasmus+ travel rules. However, accommodation, meals and other personal costs on these extra days are not covered by the project and must be paid by the participant. Small extras like these are part of the hidden costs of a fully funded project, so plan for them before you book.
What Is Covered
🛏️ Accommodation
🍽️ Meals
📖 Training activities
🗂️ Materials
✈️ Travel expenses: reimbursed according to Erasmus+ rules and the applicable country-specific limits, subject to prior approval of travel arrangements and submission of the required documentation
For a wider picture of how these grants are built, see our guide on what costs Erasmus+ covers.
Maximum Travel Amount per Person
The infopack lists these Erasmus+ distance-band amounts, as in the approved budget:
🇮🇹 Italy: €28
🇹🇷 Türkiye: €309
🇨🇿 Czechia: €309
🇬🇷 Greece: €309
🇱🇹 Lithuania: €309
🇷🇴 Romania: €309
🇲🇦 Morocco: €309
🇯🇴 Jordan: €395
To understand where these figures come from, read our guide on how Erasmus+ travel reimbursement works.
Travel Reimbursement Rules
🚆 Economy and public transport only: economy class and public transport only; one carry-on bag up to 10 kg is reimbursed
🧾 Actual costs: the refund is based on actual costs, on presentation of the ticket invoice, boarding passes with the passenger's name, all other transport bills and payment receipts
🔁 Round trip: only the round trip from the sending organisation's country is reimbursed
⏳ Timing: reimbursement starts only after the dissemination task and follow-up actions are completed
🏦 One transfer: paid in one single transfer to the sending organisation (or to one designated group member, with the organisation's prior authorisation)
Before You Book Your Flight
✉️ Get approval first: before booking, send your flight plan and wait for ARCUS' approval
📂 Keep the originals: keep all original boarding passes and travel tickets
❌ No documents, no refund: no reimbursement can be made without proper documentation
The Venue: Mare e Vita Village
The course takes place at Mare e Vita Village in Pinarella di Cervia, on the Adriatic coast of Italy.
🕑 Check-in: from 2:00 PM
🕘 Check-out: 9:00 AM
💶 Deposit: at check-in each participant leaves a €30 cash deposit, refunded at check-out unless damage has been caused
🧺 Towels: bring your own towels, as they are not provided by the accommodation
Getting to Cervia
The nearest airports are:
🛬 FRL Forlì Airport: 23.4 km from Cervia
🛩️ BLQ Bologna Airport: 88.9 km from Cervia
✈️ FLR Florence Airport: 105 km from Cervia
🚉 By train: go to Cervia-Milano Marittima station. From Bologna Airport, take the Marconi Express to Bologna Centrale, then a regional train to Cervia
🚌 By bus: regional buses connect Forlì, Ravenna, Cesena and Bologna to Cervia (main operator: Start Romagna)
What to Bring
🪪 Documents: passport or ID card, visa if needed, travel documents
🧥 Warm clothes: December by the Adriatic is cold, damp and can be foggy, so pack a coat, layers and an umbrella
💻 Laptop or smartphone: you will work with digital tools every day, so bring your charger too
🧴 Towels and toiletries: not provided by the accommodation, plus any medicine you need
🍪 A taste of your country: food, sweets, music and games for the Intercultural Evening
🗺️ Information about your country: brochures, posters, postcards, a video or short presentation
🚰 A reusable water bottle: it helps reduce plastic waste
Insurance
🩺 Your responsibility: personal and medical insurance are the responsibility of each participant
🎒 Belongings: the organisers are not responsible for loss of luggage, money or personal belongings, or for any medical costs
💳 EU participants (Italy, Czechia, Greece, Lithuania, Romania): bring your European Health Insurance Card
📋 Participants from Türkiye, Morocco and Jordan: travel and health insurance is required
Visas
Participants from Türkiye, Morocco and Jordan usually need a Schengen visa. Apply as early as possible and request an invitation letter from ARCUS. Our guide on visas and residence permits for ESC and Erasmus+ explains the process in more detail.
Expected Outcomes
Participants will strengthen their digital competences, gain confidence with innovative tools and leave with concrete ideas to modernise their youth work.
🏅 Youthpass certificate: recognition of the competences you develop, based on the 8 key competences. Learn more in our guide on what Youthpass is
🧰 Digital training toolkit: an open-access summary of the tools and methods used in the course
🌐 Online resource hub: a shared space with participants' videos, blog posts, project ideas and good practices
🏡 Local follow-up: workshops, campaigns and digital projects run by you in your own community
How to Apply
Fill in the online application form for the Candidature - Erasmus+ "Digital and Innovative Smart Youth Work: Training for the Future Youth Workers". If you have any other questions, the organisers invite you to contact ARCUS by e-mail. Find more training courses like this in our Erasmus+ listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to the Digital and Innovative Smart Youth Work training course?
Youth workers, educators, trainers, youth leaders and others actively involved in the youth field, aged 18 or older, from Italy, Czechia, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Türkiye, Morocco or Jordan. People interested in digital innovation and AI in youth work are especially welcome.
Is there an upper age limit?
No. The course is open to youth workers aged 18+, with no upper age limit.
When and where does it take place?
From 11 to 17 December 2026, including travel days, at Mare e Vita Village in Pinarella di Cervia, Italy. 11 December is the arrival day and 17 December is the departure day.
How many participants are selected per country?
4 participants per country, from 8 countries. Each organisation sends a gender-balanced group of 2 women and 2 men.
What does the project cover?
Accommodation, meals, training activities and materials are covered. Travel expenses are reimbursed according to Erasmus+ rules, up to the limit for your country.
How much travel money can I get back?
Up to €28 from Italy, €309 from Türkiye, Czechia, Greece, Lithuania, Romania and Morocco, and €395 from Jordan. The refund is based on actual costs and paid after the dissemination task and follow-up actions are completed.
Can I book my flight right away?
No. You must send your flight plan to ARCUS and wait for approval before booking. Keep all original boarding passes and tickets, because no reimbursement is possible without them.
Can I arrive early or stay after the course?
You can arrive up to 2 days before 11 December or leave up to 2 days after 17 December. Accommodation, meals and personal costs on those extra days are paid by you.
Is there a deposit at the venue?
Yes. Each participant leaves a €30 cash deposit at check-in, refunded at check-out unless damage has been caused.
Do I need a visa?
Participants from Türkiye, Morocco and Jordan usually need a Schengen visa. Apply as early as possible and ask ARCUS for an invitation letter.
Which insurance do I need?
Participants from EU countries bring their European Health Insurance Card. Participants from Türkiye, Morocco and Jordan need travel and health insurance.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Participants receive a Youthpass certificate, which recognises the competences developed based on the 8 key competences.
What happens after the training course?
You run local workshops, info sessions and online campaigns or digital projects, share results through blog posts, videos, multiplier events and webinars, join the alumni network and take part in a final evaluation meeting.
Project Snapshot
📌 Type: Erasmus+ Training Course (KA153-YOU)
📍 Location: Mare e Vita Village, Pinarella di Cervia, Italy
🗓️ Activity Dates: 11-17 December 2026 (arrival 11 December, departure 17 December, including travel days)
🌍 Countries: Italy, Czechia, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Türkiye, Morocco, Jordan
🎂 Age: 18+, no upper age limit
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Application form: https://forms.gle/BpSCLPey7erMpzWx8
📄 Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13fd_AcDIqhVNsgPpFg5rIoUqMoVquKJq/view?usp=drivesdk
📧 Contact e-mail (ARCUS): arcus.eu@gmail.com
