About the Project
Youth of Europe: Digital Wellness
Context
More than 70% of young Europeans spend over 2.5 hours a day online for entertainment β browsing, gaming, scrolling through social media. For many, this is harmless. But for a growing number, it's becoming a compulsive behaviour that affects their sleep, their relationships, their mental health, and their ability to focus on what matters.
The World Health Organisation has classified gaming disorder as a mental illness. Studies across Europe show problematic internet use among 5β30% of adolescents, with gaming addiction particularly prevalent among those starting as young as 14.
Yet most prevention programmes target substance addiction. Very few address the specific challenges of screen addiction β and even fewer are designed with and for young people.
That's why we built this project.
What We're Doing
Building a comprehensive training programme of 8 workshops for preventing screen addictions among youth, based on non-formal education methods including coaching, art-therapy, storytelling, and psychoeducation.
Empowering 225 young people (45 per country) to develop effective coping strategies to manage compulsive behaviours linked to general internet addiction, online gaming, and gambling.
Raising awareness among at least 5,000 young people about the risks of compulsive behaviours and screen addictions, encouraging them to seek information and support.
Who Is This For?
Young people aged 16β22 who:
- β’Spend significant time online, gaming, or on social media
- β’Want to understand their digital habits better
- β’Are looking for practical strategies to build healthier routines
- β’Want to hear from peers who've been through similar experiences
Youth workers, educators, and practitioners who:
- β’Work with young people and want structured tools for addressing screen addictions
- β’Are looking for non-formal education methods they can integrate into their practice
- β’Want to train themselves on compulsive behaviours and intervention strategies
Our Approach
We combine four proven methods to create a holistic learning experience:
Psychoeducation
Understanding the science behind compulsive behaviours: what happens in your brain, why certain patterns form, and what you can do about it. Led by specialists from Vrapce Psychiatric Hospital (Croatia).
Art-Therapy
Using drawing, collage, and creative expression to process emotions, explore identity, and build self-awareness. Developed by Fundacja 108 (Poland).
Storytelling
Narrative therapy techniques that help you reframe your relationship with technology by crafting and sharing personal stories of change. Led by CIU (France).
Self-Coaching
Goal-setting, action planning, and resilience-building techniques that give you the tools to maintain change long-term. Developed by AEVR (Romania).
All methods are based on non-formal education principles: experiential, participatory, and designed to meet young people where they are.
Project Details
Duration: 24 months (2025β2026)
Programme: Erasmus+ KA220-YOU β Cooperation Partnerships in Youth
Project Reference: 2024-2-RO01-KA220-YOU-000279040
Coordinator: Asociatia Educatie Pentru Viata Reala (AEVR), Romania
Total partners: 5 organisations from 5 EU countries
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
