High School Students from Chernivtsi Region’s Romanian-Language Schools to Take Part in a Digital Skills and Career Guidance Programme

Educational Programme Dedicated to Students from the Romanian Community

High school students from Romanian-language schools in Chernivtsi region will take part this autumn in an educational programme focused on developing critical thinking, artificial intelligence literacy and career guidance.

The activities will take place between 28 September and 21 October 2026, in four localities in Chernivtsi region: Hertsa, Chernivtsi, Oprisheny and Suceveni. The programme is intended for high school students from the Romanian community and will be conducted entirely in Romanian.

Project Funded by the Department for Romanians Abroad

The initiative is implemented by the Leaders Foundation as part of the project “Digital Skills and Critical Thinking in Romanian for Students in Northern Bukovina”.

The project receives RON 70,000 in funding from the Department for Romanians Abroad (DRP) and is being implemented from 29 July to 31 October 2026.

According to the organizers, the programme represents a first for the Leaders Foundation, being the first project in the organization’s 26 years of activity to be conducted physically outside Romania.

Critical Thinking and Artificial Intelligence Literacy

The programme aims to develop skills relevant to high school students in a context where digital tools and artificial intelligence are playing an increasingly important role in education and on the labour market.

Participants will explore topics such as critical thinking, responsible use of artificial intelligence, AI literacy and career guidance supported by digital tools.

The activities are designed to help students develop their ability to analyse information, use artificial intelligence-based tools responsibly and better understand the educational and career opportunities available to them.

Strengthening Linguistic and Cultural Identity

An important component of the project is the delivery of all activities in the Romanian language. The programme is aimed particularly at students from the Romanian community in Chernivtsi region and seeks, alongside the development of digital skills, to strengthen Romanian linguistic and cultural identity.

By using Romanian in educational and counselling activities, the project creates an environment in which students can develop modern skills while maintaining their connection with the language and culture of the community to which they belong.

Registration Without Prior Technical Requirements

Students can register online, and the organizers specify that participation in the programme does not require any prior technical knowledge.

The selection process will focus particularly on curiosity, interest in the topics covered and students’ availability to participate in all three days of the programme.

Thus, the project is intended for a diverse group of students, with their initial level of technological knowledge not being a requirement for participation.

Four Editions to Be Held in Chernivtsi Region

The programme will be organized in four editions, held at high schools in Romanian communities across Chernivtsi region.

The schedule of activities is as follows:

• 28–30 September – “Gheorghe Asachi” High School in Hertsa;
• 5–7 October – “Alexandru cel Bun” High School in Chernivtsi;
• 12–14 October – High School in Oprisheny;
• 19–21 October – High School in Suceveni.

Each edition will last three days and will bring together 30 students.

120 Students to Benefit from the Programme

In total, the organizers estimate that 120 students will participate, with 30 students taking part in each of the four editions.

Participants will benefit from digital readiness assessments, as well as tools designed to help them better understand their skills and career interests.

The programme’s outcomes include AI literacy certificates in Romanian and personalized vocational profiles, which can provide students with additional guidance for their future educational and career choices.

Teacher Training and Continuity of Activities

The project also includes a component dedicated to teachers from local communities. Up to 15 teachers will receive training so that they can subsequently continue the activities and use the skills acquired within their own educational communities.

Through this component, the project aims to ensure continuity after the completion of the programme’s main activities by involving local teachers in developing digital skills and critical thinking among students.

More Than 1,000 Career Guidance Interactions

Another component of the project focuses on career guidance. The organizers estimate that more than 1,000 career guidance interactions in Romanian will be carried out, helping students identify their interests, skills and suitable career paths.

At the same time, access to the digital platforms used within the programme will remain active until the end of the 2026–2027 school year, giving participants the opportunity to continue using the resources after the completion of this autumn’s editions.

Education in Romanian and Skills for the Future

By combining education in Romanian with the development of digital skills, artificial intelligence literacy and career guidance, the project seeks to address current educational needs among students from the Romanian community in Chernivtsi region.

Funded by the Department for Romanians Abroad, the programme represents an initiative supporting the educational and professional development of young people from the Romanian community in Northern Bukovina and strengthening the use of the Romanian language in educational activities focused on the skills needed for the future.