Digital media is the most widely used tool by young people nowadays to engage in the social, cultural, civic, and political life of their societies. Creating and disseminating digital media has become a regular part of communication among youth and between youth and the wider world. Young people use content creating, posting, sharing, linking, searching, and other online media features to explore information, pursue their interests, connect with others, solve problems relevant to their lives, and self-express. It is increasingly crucial for young people to learn digital media literacy as it allows them to use digital technologies, tools, and the internet effectively. As youth develop their digital literacy skills, they become better at knowing what they are looking for, what information is credible and what is fake, and how to differentiative between valuable and useless content. Young people become more skilled in judging between different sources of information online and challenging the content they read. The process of learning digital media literacy also contributes to the development of critical thinking and creativity. In the context of uneven post-COVID recovery, the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and increasing media censorship, bias, and misinformation, the need to promote digital media literacy among youth became even more urgent. Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, including refugees, migrants, and those who fled the war in Ukraine and the Karabakh war in 2020, were particularly vulnerable to online manipulation. Having been displaced from their homes and communities, they lost their social support networks and struggled with the stress of integrating into new societies. Many sought engagement and answers online, but often in ways that were neither safe nor productive. Project Overview and Objectives The Youth Digital Media Literacy Lab was a two-phased Youth Exchange Project that created a learning environment where young people improved their ability to use the internet, information and communication technologies, and digital media in a safe and creative manner. The project enhanced youth capacity for effective civic engagement, with a strong focus on the inclusion of disadvantaged youth, particularly refugees and those displaced by war. The project consisted of two international youth exchanges in Yerevan, Armenia, with a period of local digital literacy initiatives in participants' home communities in between. Phase #1: Youth Exchange A1 in Yerevan, Armenia (11-18 May 2024) During the first exchange, 34 persons from Germany, Armenia, Georgia, and Italy gathered to: - Explore how and why to use digital technologies. - Develop a strong understanding of online safety and cybersecurity. - Learn about digital content creation, publishing, and responsible media use. - Investigate the impact of media bias and online influence on perceptions and behavior. - Raise awareness about the challenges faced by disadvantaged youth, including refugees and migrants. - Equip participants with the tools to initiate local digital media literacy campaigns in their home communities. - Develop themes and methods for the second phase, Youth Exchange A2. Intermediary Phase: Local Digital Literacy Actions (June - September 2024) Between the two youth exchanges, participants applied their learning in their home communities. Each country team initiated at least two digital literacy actions, such as: - School-based digital literacy workshops for young people. - Social media awareness campaigns addressing misinformation and online safety. - Local storytelling projects promoting responsible digital engagement. Phase #2: Youth Exchange A2 in Yerevan, Armenia (11-18 October 2024) Participants reconvened in Armenia for the second phase of the project, where they: - Shared best practices and evaluated the impact of their local digital literacy initiatives. - Worked in teams to create digital content on topics relevant to their lives. - Explored advanced digital storytelling, ethical media use, and civic engagement. - Co-developed the "Online Digital Media Literacy Toolkit" to serve as an open-access resource for youth and educators. - Promoted Erasmus+ opportunities and discussed how young people can use digital tools for community engagement.