As part of the Sexuality Connect Erasmus+ project, thirteen online training sessions brought
together youth workers from different European contexts to explore sexuality and relationship
education, digital literacy, and online safety.
The programme addressed many of the issues that youth workers may encounter when supporting
adolescents and young people. The sessions explored pleasure, consent and communication, gender
identity, sexual and romantic orientations, relationships, body image, contraception, sexually
transmitted infections, gender stereotypes, and gender-based violence. Particular attention was also
given to the digital dimension of young people’s lives, including online identity, pornography,
sexting and digital consent, grooming, online manipulation, and the non-consensual sharing of
intimate material.
Rather than approaching these topics exclusively through traditional lectures, the training was
designed as an open and participatory learning experience. Each two-hour session combined
theoretical input with practical activities, group discussions, reflective questions, and realistic
scenarios inspired by situations that youth workers may face in their daily work with adolescents.
Participants were encouraged to question their own assumptions, exchange experiences, and
contribute their professional knowledge. Shared Padlets became collaborative spaces where
everyone could collect recommendations, good practices, books, podcasts, educational resources,
organisations, and support services. In this way, the materials created throughout the programme
were not simply delivered to the participants but developed together with them.
The training also encouraged a balanced understanding of digital environments. The internet was
discussed not only in relation to risks and possible forms of violence, but also as a space for
information, self-expression, community, belonging, and access to support.
The main objective of the programme was to develop practical and adaptable tools that youth
workers could reuse in their activities with young people. At the same time, the sessions created an
opportunity to strengthen a respectful, curious, and non-judgmental educational approach. Sexuality
Connect proved to be a valuable learning experience for both participants and trainers, showing
how knowledge, professional practices, and new resources can grow through dialogue and
collaboration.