Youth Empowerment through Digital and Planetary Health Competencies

forthcoming

A two-years programme led by the Youth Health Organization (YHO), aiming to strengthen the health and wellbeing of young people through capacity building, trainings, and peer-led education across Europe and further. Thematic priorities are aligned with the strategic goals of YHO and reflect the evolving challenges youth face in the digital and health themes. In 2026, the programme will focus on digital health, exploring how digital environments influence mental and physical health. Recognising the growing impact of social media, algorithm-driven content, and health misinformation, YHO will implement project such as the Digital Resilience for Youth. This includes awareness-raising on digital misinformation, building critical thinking and decision-making skills, and equipping youth workers and peer leaders to act as multipliers of digital health literacy. Through international activities, webinars, national campaigns, and peer-led actions, young people will develop tools to navigate digital spaces with confidence and care for their mental wellbeing. In 2027, the programme will shift toward health literacy, with a strong emphasis on capacity building based on the EU Youth Goals and YHO’s strategic planning. Activities will aim to empower youth to access, understand, and apply health information in their daily lives. This theme will be integrated into training activities and network-wide campaigns, supporting the development of informed and active young citizens. Efforts will also include expanding YHO’s Pool of Trainers in non-formal education. Several key projects will contribute to the overall impact of the programme. These include Unmasking Industry and Let Me Tell You Something. These initiatives, alongside capacity building for youth workers, the development of a pool of trainers, and the continuous work of YHO’s thematic Sections and Regional Meetings, ensure continuity, quality, and innovation across the partnership.