The Anti-Rumour project aimed to raise awareness among young people about the features and risks of fake news and conspiracy theories while fostering their engagement in democratic and civic life. The project sought to integrate youth into political discourses by developing engaging tools and resources that can help young people to identify and combat disinformation, transforming them from passive media consumers into active media producers. With a focus on social inclusion and environmental awareness, the project aimed to address misinformation surrounding marginalized groups and climate change, strengthening European values of inclusion, tolerance, and justice.
We applied for the Anti-Rumour project to address the urgent need to empower youth through media literacy, fostering their active participation in combating disinformation and conspiracy theories. The increasing prevalence of fake news and conspiracy theories has created a pressing need for initiatives that equip youth with the tools to critically evaluate information and resist ideological polarization. Yound people were highly vulnerable to its effects due to their significant engagement with social media and digital platforms. Additionally, declining trust in democratic institutions and the exclusion of marginalized groups highlighted the necessity of fostering media literacy and promoting active citizenship among youth. Social inclusion and awareness of environmental issues were also critical gaps, with misinformation exacerbating discrimination and undermining the fight against climate change. Youth work and educators need tools and strategies to address the growing challenges of misinformation and its impact on young people. These tools need to be interactive, engaging, and close to the digital realities of youth's media usage.