On April 24–25, 2025, the official launch event for the TechWell – Digital Wellness in Schools project (Project 101195919, co-financed under the Erasmus+ Policy Experimentation program) took place in Sofia. The event brought together representatives from organizations from Bulgaria, Italy, Ireland, Hungary, Greece, and the Czech Republic, who together laid the foundations for future work to promote digital wellness in schools.
Working Meetings on April 24
The partners discussed the vision of the project, the structure of the work packages, and the first key deadlines. The importance of digital wellbeing as a multifaceted concept was emphasized – encompassing not only safe and balanced technology use but also aspects such as mental health, trust in the digital environment, and integrating positive practices into education. The discussions outlined two main phases in the project:
- Creating the Digital Wellbeing Suite – strategy, handbooks, training materials, and tools for teachers;
- Testing it in various educational contexts across Europe.
Actions were also identified for actively involving teachers, students, parents, and policymakers in the process through workshops and focus groups.
Public Event on April
On the following day, an open discussion was held on the topic “What Does Digital Wellbeing Mean Today?” The challenges and opportunities that digital technologies bring to children’s lives were discussed – from the risks of social networks and excessive screen time to positive examples of communities, creativity, and access to knowledge. The speakers emphasized the need for a balanced approach: schools and families should encourage meaningful use of technology while ensuring the protection of children and the development of digital literacy.
The meeting in Sofia laid a solid foundation for international cooperation within TechWell. All partners united around the vision of building a school environment where students not only use technology but also feel safe, supported, and capable of thriving in the digital society.
