Youth for Democracy and Media was a project aimed at empowering youth to be active participants in democratic and political processes. The rise of disinformation campaigns and the ease of spreading false information and hate speech through digital media platforms posed a significant threat to young people. In particular, disinformation was used as a tool to influence democratic processes throughout Europe. The war in Ukraine demonstrated that disinformation was an integral part of hybrid warfare. In Georgia, Russian-controlled media agencies distributed propagandistic news daily, which was seen by many young people on social media platforms. In Kristiansand, Norway, we experienced how disinformation and polarizing speech affected local government and created difficulties for local politics and cooperation. Hate speech, which often accompanied malinformation on social media and digital platforms, disproportionately targeted women and minorities, making it difficult for them to participate in public discourse and politics. For instance, according to a recent EU study, 63% of girls surveyed reported some form of online harassment on social media platforms, and 38% of people with disabilities experienced hate speech. When hate speech and disinformation effectively prevented young voices and diversity in politics and public discourse, it posed a direct threat to our democratic freedom and our ability to make informed decisions about our lives and future. Addressing this issue with non-formal education methods and equipping youth with critical analytical skills and tools to detect and prevent disinformation was crucial to maintaining democratic stability. Objectives Achieved: - Equipped all participants with critical media analysis skills, including how to use digital tools to detect fake media. - Inspired active youth participation in democracy. - Cultivated tolerance and cooperation. - Shared experiences to cultivate a broader view of what democracy could mean in different countries, fostering cross-cultural understanding. - Developed soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and personal development for participants. - Facilitated cultural exchange between participants. - Organized an open workshop/seminar for youth in Kristiansand as part of the official program of The Democracy Week. (This week is organized by the municipality every year ahead of The European Conference and includes many different events and organizations.) - Created a booklet for youth on democracy and media literacy, providing a valuable resource for young people seeking to navigate today's media landscape effectively. By achieving these objectives, we hope to have empowered a new generation of informed, engaged, and culturally aware citizens who actively contribute to their communities and the broader society.