The Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ), part of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, took centre stage at Portugal’s two largest education and youth events in March 2026 (Futurália in Lisbon and Qualifica in Oporto), bringing digital citizenship and online safety to the forefront of national conversations about young people’s futures.
Futurália, held from 11 to 14 March at the Lisbon International Fair, dedicated its 2026 edition to the growing role of artificial intelligence in education, digital transition, and career guidance. Just weeks later, from 25 to 28 March, Qualifica returned to Exponor with a similar focus, exploring how AI is reshaping learning and transforming the labour market.
Across both fairs, IPDJ showcased a wide range of youth-centred initiatives, from non-formal education to international mobility, while placing particular emphasis on safer internet use and responsible digital participation.
One of the highlights was the safer internet quiz, conducted by young volunteers and designed to both engage visitors, and to gather meaningful insights. Participants were invited to share their experiences of online risks, select topics they would like to see addressed in awareness sessions, and express interest in volunteering. The response exceeded expectations: around 1,000 young people took part, providing a substantial sample for future programme planning and evaluation.
At the IPDJ stands, visitors also had the opportunity to interact directly with volunteers from the “Navega(s) em Segurança?” programme. In collaboration with youth information workers, they provided peer-to-peer guidance on becoming a volunteer, accessing online safety resources, and requesting awareness sessions anywhere in the country.
Information and counselling focused on some of the most pressing digital issues affecting young people today, including:
- the relationship between young people and AI
- online disinformation and its mechanisms
- hate speech, privacy, and geolocation risks
- healthy digital habits and the prevention of excessive internet use
- risks associated with online relationships
- cyberbullying
- online gaming and gambling.
In total, the two fairs attracted an estimated 110,000 young visitors, with around 50,000 visiting the IPDJ stands. This strong participation underscored the Institute’s commitment to equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate an increasingly digital world – safely, critically, and confidently.
More information is available on the organisation’s website.
Find more information about the work of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
The Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ), part of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, took centre stage at Portugal’s two largest education and youth events in March 2026 (Futurália in Lisbon and Qualifica in Oporto), bringing digital citizenship and online safety to the forefront of national conversations about young people’s futures.
Futurália, held from 11 to 14 March at the Lisbon International Fair, dedicated its 2026 edition to the growing role of artificial intelligence in education, digital transition, and career guidance. Just weeks later, from 25 to 28 March, Qualifica returned to Exponor with a similar focus, exploring how AI is reshaping learning and transforming the labour market.
Across both fairs, IPDJ showcased a wide range of youth-centred initiatives, from non-formal education to international mobility, while placing particular emphasis on safer internet use and responsible digital participation.
One of the highlights was the safer internet quiz, conducted by young volunteers and designed to both engage visitors, and to gather meaningful insights. Participants were invited to share their experiences of online risks, select topics they would like to see addressed in awareness sessions, and express interest in volunteering. The response exceeded expectations: around 1,000 young people took part, providing a substantial sample for future programme planning and evaluation.
At the IPDJ stands, visitors also had the opportunity to interact directly with volunteers from the “Navega(s) em Segurança?” programme. In collaboration with youth information workers, they provided peer-to-peer guidance on becoming a volunteer, accessing online safety resources, and requesting awareness sessions anywhere in the country.
Information and counselling focused on some of the most pressing digital issues affecting young people today, including:
- the relationship between young people and AI
- online disinformation and its mechanisms
- hate speech, privacy, and geolocation risks
- healthy digital habits and the prevention of excessive internet use
- risks associated with online relationships
- cyberbullying
- online gaming and gambling.
In total, the two fairs attracted an estimated 110,000 young visitors, with around 50,000 visiting the IPDJ stands. This strong participation underscored the Institute’s commitment to equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate an increasingly digital world – safely, critically, and confidently.
More information is available on the organisation’s website.
Find more information about the work of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
- artificial intelligence (AI) digital citizenship youth participation
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