DigitArt Youth Exchange – empowering young voices through Digital Art

In 2019, we led our first Erasmus+ project Net Art for Tolerance in Cyprus. It was a brave step in the fight against xenophobia and for human rights, using art in a modern way – through the internet. Together with young people from different countries, we created www.TolerArt.com – a safe online platform where young digital artists could freely and anonymously share their works and ideas.

Now, in 2024, five years later, we proudly continued this path with DigitArt – a new Erasmus+ youth exchange project that took place in the village of Pano Arodes, Cyprus. This time we cooperated with partners from Latvia, Norway, Finland, Estonia, and Cyprus to provide 40 young people aged 13 to 26 with the knowledge and skills to express their stories using digital media.

What did we focus on?

• Digital photography and visual storytelling,
• Graphic design tools and creative software,
• Video editing, podcasting, and sound design,
• Responsible and impactful use of social media.

In practical workshops and team activities, participants learned how to use digital tools not just for entertainment – but also as powerful instruments to express values, promote inclusion, and actively participate in society. These are skills that are useful in studies, work, and personal projects.

In addition, we explored each other’s cultures, discovered nature of Cyprus, enjoyed rural village lifestyle, and visited an animal shelter – because a responsible lifestyle is closely linked to our attitude toward nature, the environment, and living beings, with a responsible and eco-friendly approach to life.

Erasmus+ projects allow young people to discover life in its full color, and learn about many development opportunities – including through the Eurodesk platform, Erasmus+, and the European Solidarity Corps. As a Eurodesk info point, we always support young people’s desire to learn more about growth opportunities, and during this project, we shared our knowledge in this field.

Our main result: www.TolerArt.com has been updated and improved! It now features new artworks, a fresh design, and strong youth voices that stand for tolerance, freedom, and human rights. The platform is open to other young people who wish to share their art and message.

DigitArt is part of our long-term Erasmus+ strategy to give more young people – especially those with fewer opportunities – a chance to grow and be heard.

🔗 Check out the new platform here: www.tolerart.com

We believe that with the right digital tools and support, every young person can become a creator of change.
Thank you to everyone who made DigitArt possible. Let’s keep creating!

Co-funded by the European Union. This publication reflects the views and opinions of the author only and not necessarily those of the European Union, the European Commission, or the National Agency (Agency for International Programs for Youth), which are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.