Are you really in control of your attention—or is your phone, your feed or AI making the decisions for you?

Today, we are constantly connected, but being online all the time doesn’t necessarily mean being present. Notifications, social media, endless information and AI can easily pull our attention in different directions. And for people working with young people, the challenge is even bigger: how do we create meaningful spaces for young people when their attention is constantly being pulled elsewhere?

“Youth Work Off Autopilot” brings together 20 volunteers, aspiring youth workers and people working with young people to explore what it means to practise youth work intentionally in a hyperconnected world. Through outdoor activities, sports, digital experiments, games and hands-on non-formal education, participants will step away from screens, explore their own attention habits and discover practical ways to help young people reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them.

Along the way, they will explore AI and information, mental well-being, participation, critical thinking and inclusive youth work. They will experiment with different methods and learn how to use technology when it adds value—without letting it become the driver.

Because good youth work isn’t about keeping up with every new technology. It’s about knowing when to switch on, when to switch off, and when to simply be there.

Ready to get off autopilot and discover a more intentional way of working with young people? Join us and let's make sure youth is in the centre of youth work!

We are looking for 20 enthusiastic volunteers, youth workers, educators and people working with young people who want to explore how to keep youth work human, meaningful and intentional in a hyperconnected world.

This training is especially for people who are curious about attention, digital well-being, AI, social media, participation and new ways of working with young people, and who are ready to learn through experience rather than simply sitting in a classroom.

✅ Who can apply?

• Citizens of the following countries: Residents of European Union Member States and third countries associated with the Erasmus+ Programme

• 18+ years old

• Volunteers, youth workers, educators, youth leaders, aspiring youth workers or anyone actively working or preparing to work with young people

• Curious about how social media, smartphones, AI and digital technologies influence young people's attention, well-being, learning and participation

• Interested in exploring intentional and human-centred youth work, rather than simply adding more technology to activities

• Open-minded and ready to experiment with outdoor activities, sports, games, digital-awareness experiments and non-formal education methods

• Comfortable taking part in group work, reflection, discussions and experiential learning, including activities that challenge their usual habits and perspectives

• Motivated to exchange methods, experiences and good practices with participants from different countries and youth-work contexts

• Available for the full 7-day programme and committed to active participation throughout the training

• Willing to test and share the methods and ideas gained during the training with young people, colleagues, organisations or local communities after the project

No participant can arrive later than the official arrival day or depart earlier than the official departure day. Skipping activity days is not tolerated.

We encourage greener means of travel whenever possible, such as public transportation, carpooling, or contracted bus. Once the groups are formed, we will organize and arrange the most efficient route and means of travel to Izvoare, Harghita County Romania.

The transport tickets will be purchased by the organization for the participants. Please do NOT buy any tickets on your own without first consulting us, to avoid any risk of your travel expenses being ineligible for reimbursement.

Arrival in Izvoare: 30 October 2026
Departure from Izvoare: 7 November 2026
(Some groups might start the travel during the night in order to arrive in time to the activity in time)

IMPORTANT: Most of the costs like travel, activities, materials, accommodation, and daily food, are covered by the Erasmus+ programme. Rest, such as insurance, travel upgrades such as priority, checked-in luggage, 1st class tickets, etc, are not covered. Please, remember, The EU does co-fund, not fully fund this event, therefore you must cover your additional expenses.

All the participants must have valid travel insurance for the whole project period, including the travel days. The insurance must cover the following: 

• Third-party liability 

• Lost or stolen baggage. 

• Accident and serious illness. 

We cannot accept participants without private travel insurance. Supplementary, we also recommend that you get a European health insurance card. Your national health insurance provider issues this card. 

It’s time to bring your culture into the room—but not as a showcase of stereotypes or a collection of national clichés. This evening is an opportunity to share the realities, stories, traditions and perspectives that shape the places where we live and work. Each participant is invited to prepare a short, creative contribution that gives others a glimpse into their cultural context. Think beyond the usual flags and stereotypes: What do people value? What has changed? What might outsiders misunderstand about your culture? What cultural experiences influence the way you work with young people?

What to bring:

• A few traditional snacks or foods to share

• A national or regional symbol, if meaningful to you

• Objects, photos, stories or materials that represent your culture

• Traditional clothes or music, if you genuinely want to share them
  
  

Ideas for your contribution:

• A short interactive activity rather than a formal presentation

• A cultural dilemma or question for the group to discuss

• Stories about traditions that are changing or disappearing

• A myth, stereotype or misconception you would like to challenge

• A song, dance, theatre piece or creative performance

• A game that reflects something about your cultural context

• A short story about how culture influences your work with young people

The goal is not to decide which culture is “the most interesting”, but to discover different perspectives, question our assumptions and learn from each other’s realities.

In the area, the average temperature in autumn is between 5 °C and 15°C. Please check accuweather.com for more updated information about the weather. Casual, comfortable sportswear, slippers or sneakers for indoor and comfortable shoes for outdoor activities. It may also rain throughout our stay, so please pack warm clothes, waterproof jackets, and shoes. 

Arrival Day – Participants arrive at Pensiunea Irgo, settle in, and take part in an informal meet & greet to start connecting with each other and the group.

Day 1 – Me in the Group: Building Trust: Getting to know each other, breaking the ice and creating a safe and supportive space where everyone can be themselves.

Days 2–6 – Learning Journey: From Me to We: Participants will explore their strengths and uniqueness, discover how different personalities and abilities can complement each other, and develop teamwork through sports, cooperative challenges and non-formal education. They will explore inclusion and wellbeing, connect physical activity with mental and social health, and discover how teamwork can lead to active participation and meaningful change in their communities through the European Youth Goals.

Day 7 – Looking Forward: Reflecting on the learning journey through Youthpass, evaluating the experience, sharing memories, celebrating together and preparing for departure.

Departure Day – Farewells and departure, taking with them new skills, experiences, and ideas for positive change in their communities.

In order to apply,  you have to create  an ASEY account, using  the link below.  If you already have an account  you  need to  log in  and complete the application form!
When you are creating the account and applying please carefully read the application form and note that:
1. We are not responsible for the wrong or incomplete data you introduce in the form.
2. Your data such as name, e-mail, and date of birth must be correct. Making mistakes will automatically translate into wrong information on your certificate received at the end of the project.
3. You must use no other e-mail address other than yours. Make sure you have access to it.
4. You have to specify to us if you prefer a vegetarian or vegan menu or have any allergies or intolerances - this cannot be changed during the project .