Between October 27–29, 2025, representatives of GEYC (Group of the European Youth for Change) took part in a Future Lab Study Visit in Tallinn, Estonia — a country known as one of the most digitally advanced societies in the world. The visit brought together youth organizations from across Europe, members of the PRISMA European Network, to explore Estonia’s e-governance model, innovation-driven civic ecosystem, and to co-create a shared FutureLab Roadmap for digital transformation in youth work.
💡 Why Estonia?
Estonia has become a global model for digital governance and citizen engagement. With initiatives such as e-Residency, digital ID cards, and online voting, Estonia is often referred to as “the world’s most digital nation.” The visit gave participants the opportunity to learn directly from the country’s experts how technology and innovation can serve communities — not just through digital tools, but by fostering trust, participation, and transparency.
🧭 The Study Visit Experience
Over the course of three days, participants engaged in meetings, guided visits, and interactive sessions aimed at understanding Estonia’s digital infrastructure and applying its lessons to youth work. Each day focused on different learning objectives — from national digital policy to civic dialogue and inter-organizational collaboration.
| Day | Visits & Activities | Main Insights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 — Exploring Estonia’s Digital DNA Monday, October 27 |
|
Understanding the architecture of e-governance, public–private collaboration, and how digitalization supports both citizens and entrepreneurs. |
| Day 2 — Dialogue, Youth Work, and Partnerships Tuesday, October 28 |
|
Discovering how open dialogue, active citizenship, and youth-led initiatives contribute to democratic participation and digital inclusion. |
| Day 3 — Building the FutureLab Roadmap Wednesday, October 29 |
|
Co-developing strategies for digital transformation in youth work and defining each organization’s digital maturity and next steps. |
The FutureLab Roadmap
One of the key components of this visit was the creation of a shared FutureLab Roadmap — a structured process through which organizations assessed their digital maturity (in terms of Strategy, Tools, Skills, and Impact), exchanged experiences, and identified practical next steps for improvement.
Through collaborative sessions, participants:
- Analyzed their organization’s digital readiness level and the tools currently in use;
- Shared good practices and innovative approaches from their local contexts;
- Simulated investment decisions in the most impactful digital solutions;
- Designed Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to test new digital initiatives efficiently;
- Identified joint opportunities for collaboration and EU funding to support these transformations.
This process not only encouraged knowledge sharing but also built a concrete action plan — empowering each organization to strengthen its digital ecosystem and to bridge technology with meaningful youth engagement.
🌍 Reflections and Impact
The Future Lab Study Visit in Estonia showed that digital transformation is not only about technology — it’s about people. Behind every innovative platform stands a team committed to learning, adapting, and creating inclusive opportunities for young people.
For GEYC, this experience reinforced the importance of strategic digital development — from internal processes and automation to community engagement through GEYCID, Mobility Center, and other innovation-driven initiatives.
The visit concluded with a collective reflection session, where all participants shared their personal learnings, new collaborations, and visions for the digital youth sector of tomorrow.
Project ID: 2025-1-RO01-KA151-YOU-000299434
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.