"Young people and youth workers learn together through reverse mentoring, blending AI skills with nature-based wellbeing activities"
The situation today
Digital exclusion
Fewer opportunities
Growing mental health challenges
AI is everywhere but not everyone can access or/and undestand it
Big impact of fast-changing technology on youth workers
What is FAIRY?
FAIRY – Fostering AI with Rural Youth is a 24-month transnational project supported by the Erasmus+ programme that explores how artificial intelligence can positively support rural youth, communities and organisations.
Rather than treating AI as something distant or overly technical, FAIRY approaches it as a practical, human-centred tool that—when used critically and responsibly—can strengthen youth work, encourage participation and support local development.
Grounded in the everyday realities of rural areas, the project acknowledges challenges such as limited access to digital learning opportunities and the risk of digital exclusion, while also valuing rural communities as places of connection, creativity and wellbeing.
By working in public and community spaces and linking digital practices with care for people and places, FAIRY seeks to make digital transformation feel relevant, inclusive and rooted in local life.
Focused on empowering rural youth by turning remote communities into European hubs for mobility, learning, and local regeneration
Focused on bringing real European opportunities to young people in rural Andalusia and empowering them through inclusion, free access, and social impact.
Focused on digital innovation for social good — they use technology, education, and digital tools to help communities, organisations and underserved groups solve real problems.
Focused on romoting active participation, youth engagement, and community development — especially in rural areas of Croatia.
Who this for
Youth Workers & Educators:
Working with rural youth
Want to understand AI better
Looking for new methods & tools
Young people aged 18–30, especially:
From rural and remote areas
With fewer opportunities
What we aim for
1. AI skills for rural NGOs.
2. Reverse mentoring (youth ↔ youth workers).
3.Open online training on AI & digital mentoring.
4. AI dashboard & toolkit for rural youth work.
5. Wellbeing Festival in public spaces.
How We Create Change
1
Research & Listening
Surveys on AI in rural areas
Understanding fears, needs, opportunities
2
Learning & Mentoring
Online training
Reverse mentoring:
Youth teach AI tools
Youth workers guide ethics & wellbeing
3
Co-Creation in Rural areas
Local workshops
Nature-based activities
Public space engagement
4
Wellbeing Festival Event
Community events
AI + nature + participation
What comes out of it