The main objective of the project was to improve young people's knowledge, skills and attitudes in the areas of ethical communication, media literacy and global learning. The project aimed to build on the existing online platform E-TICK, to strengthen the digital and social competences of young people and educators, and to provide a supportive learning environment. This included the technical and content upgrading of the online course, the development of adapted methodologies for the delivery of workshops for teachers and volunteer camp leaders, and the production of a manual for the facilitation of E-TICK Clubs in order to enable deeper participation, reflection and application of knowledge in small groups of participants. The aim was also to provide educators (teachers, youth workers, coordinators, etc.) with tools and methodologies to support young people in overcoming complex global challenges.
The project was developed and implemented because of the growing need for young people to understand the importance of ethical communication, critical thinking and media literacy. The focus was on young people participating in international volunteering programmes and other forms of international mobility and global learning, as well as on the various educators working with these young people or with young people in general (teachers, youth workers, youth leaders, volunteer camp leaders, volunteer mentors and coordinators, researchers in youth policies and global learning, etc.). Feedback from users of the previous E-TICK online course revealed a lack of structured space for reflection, discussion and consultation after the course, so we have added methods and tools to support the online course in order to provide a more qualitative approach to the content covered. In addition, the increased use of digital tools - accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic - has highlighted the need to provide high quality and flexible digital learning opportunities. The project also addressed the wider societal need to combat misinformation, polarisation and intolerance through inclusive global learning and the development of intercultural awareness.