"Looks can deceive" project is a transnational youth initiative, created as on the initiative of young participants in the previous project Finding Humanity. The project will address the topic of stereotypes and related hate speech through the already existing informal methods of youth work, by introducing a new way of implementing youth work through new media (NFC method) into the work of partners and more broader. The project involves three partners - the Youth Center Trbovlje from Slovenia, the Association for the Shift of Film Culture DJIFONI-M Skopje from Macedonia and GOMBOLYAG FOUNDATION from Hungary. The basis of the project activities sums up the definition of stereotype: "We do not look at the first, to define it later, but first we define and then look at it", which we will try to achieve in ourselves, so that the change can be noticeable in the wider social environment. That's why we started the project fromthe visual perspective, as we would like to emphasize that things are often different as it seems at first glance - looks can deceive. We will create a series of 15 photographs aimed at provoking a reaction in the observer and summing up their own judgments about the displayed. In everyday life, the story often endsat this point and many doubts remain unanswered, but in our project this is only the beginning. Each photo will be equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) chip with a link to a short video that will give the viewer an insight into the background of the story and an opportunity to unravel the related stereotype. He will thus be able to grasp the story and background of the photos whose contents we will developed on the basis of previous research among young people at the international level. It will capture the stereotypes and prejudices that are present in all three participating partner countries. The problem of hate speech will therefore be addressed in terms of the causes of it - stereotypes and prejudices, and reduced through project activities and results. Young people will be involved in all stages of the project: project initiative, project planning and design with partners, preparation of application form, implementation of activities, dissemination and project evaluation. The project will empower us to take on the responsibility that we will learn or understand, strengthen it through the acquisition of competencies, skills and knowledge. The project will involve 15 young participants (including young people with fewer opportunities, aged 15 to 26) with the support of three experienced youth leaders. PURPOSE: Eliminate stereotypes and prejudices against the different, thus reducing social exclusion and hate speech among young people. GOALS: 1) To become aware of stereotypes and prejudices among young people in local environments. 2) Include and encourage young people, affected by hate speech, to tell their story. 3) Encourage critical thinking among young people. 4) Sharing innovative methods for working with young people between partners. The project addresses the important topic of accepting the difference, promotes non-discrimination and combats hate speech through contemporary art and multimedia production. During the project we will plan and prepare the following final results: 1) Research on hate speech, stereotypes and prejudices in the area of youth (goal 1) 2) A series of fifteen NFC chip photos (goal 2, 3, 4) 3) A series of fifteen short one-minute films (goal 2, 3, 4) 4) Exhibition of photographs (goal 3, 4) The project consists of two international project meetings and two learning mobilities. The key impact of the project on young people will result in enhanced intercultural competences, awareness-raising youth in the field of social inclusion, reduction of prejudices and empowered youth in the field of breaking the stereotypes, which will contribute to the reduction in intolerance and the prevention of radicalization. Partnership organizations will gain intercultural competences through the project and deepen their knowledge of the problem of discrimination and prejudice and social exclusion, as the project will also actively involve youth workers who will share the experience within their organizations. Target groups will become aware of the problem of stereotypes and prejudices, thereby increasing tolerance and preventing radicalization. Through the dissemination of information and new knowledge in local and regional environments and through youth organizations involved in new projects and international activities, the project will also achieve an important impact in the international field.
By implementing the project, we wanted to make young people aware of stereotypes and prejudices among young people, to involve young people who are subject to hate speech to share their story. The key goal for young people was also to encourage critical thinking among young people, and the goal for partners was to share innovative methods for working with young people. We wanted to improve the level of key competences and skills of young people, including young people with fewer opportunities, and promote their participation in democratic life in Europe and the labor market, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, social inclusion and solidarity, promote better youth work, recognize informal and informal learning, promote social awareness and active participation of young people.
We applied the project Looks can deceive due to the initiative of young people who have participated in the project entitled In Search of Humanity in the past. We also applied for the project because it was important for us to address the issue of stereotypes and related hate speech. The project addresses the need for inclusion, expression, critical thinking, exchange of practice, breaking down prejudices and awareness that appearance can be deceiving.