The project aimed to address the growing challenge of disinformation and fake news in our digital society through a comprehensive approach targeting both adult educators and learners. Our primary objectives were: First, we focused on empowering educators and trainers in adult education by developing specialized learning resources and innovativALSe tools based on non-formal education methods. This was essential to create a multiplier effect, ensuring that media literacy competencies could be effectively transmitted to adult learners. Second, the project aimed to enhance adult learners' capabilities in navigating the complex media landscape. By equipping them with practical media literacy strategies, we wanted to enable them to identify fake news independently and make informed decisions about their media consumption. The project focused on developing essential 21st-century skills among both trainers and learners. By emphasizing critical thinking, effective communication, and digital competencies through innovative digital tools and resources, we aimed to create a more resilient and media-literate adult learning community. Through these objectives, the project sought to create a comprehensive framework for addressing media literacy.
The project was initiated in response to the critical gap in digital media competencies among both adult workers and learners. While digital media skills have become essential for daily life and work, many adults did not acquire these competencies during their formal education. This digital divide has left many adult learners vulnerable to online misinformation and digital risks. Our project addressed two key needs: It provided adult educators - who serve as gatekeepers in adult education - with flexible learning opportunities to enhance their own media literacy skills, enabling them to effectively transfer this knowledge to their adult learners. It also empowered adult learners themselves with essential media literacy competencies to identify fake news, navigate online challenges safely, and make informed decisions about their media consumption. Through this approach, we aimed to develop stronger media literacy competencies across the adult education sector while promoting responsible internet usage and establishing shared European digital behavior values. This was particularly crucial for adult learners who often face challenges in distinguishing reliable information from misinformation in their daily digital interactions.