The project aimed to improve the quality and inclusiveness of adult education by developing competences in digital media literacy. It sought to strengthen staff skills, promote critical thinking among learners, and make learning environments more accessible to vulnerable groups. Another objective was to establish a transnational network for cooperation and knowledge exchange in combating misinformation and supporting social participation.
We applied for this project to strengthen the institutional capacity and human capital of our organisations through international cooperation in the field of digital media literacy. The project emerged from a shared recognition of the growing challenges posed by misinformation, the crisis of public trust in scientific knowledge, and the increasing difficulty many adults face in distinguishing facts from opinions in the digital sphere. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgency of these issues, demonstrating that the lack of critical thinking and media literacy can have serious social and even public health consequences. Our objective was to respond to these problems by enhancing the competences of our staff and beneficiaries in analytical reasoning, critical evaluation of information, and responsible digital engagement. At the same time, as small and relatively young organisations, we identified a strong institutional need to improve our methodological and pedagogical capacities, exchange good practices, and gain experience in transnational project management. The project also addresses broader social needs related to inclusion and equity in adult education by focusing on groups at risk of marginalisation such as NEETs.