The overall objective of the project was to strengthen among the young participants the critical, communicative, and civic competences necessary to consciously understand and analyze the phenomena of contemporary political communication, countering dynamics such as populism, disinformation, data manipulation, hate speech, and polarizing simplifications of public discourse. Through the youth exchange, we aimed to create a safe and intercultural space where young participants could: -develop critical thinking regarding political and media messages, learning to recognize argumentative fallacies, cognitive biases, and manipulation techniques; -reflect on the connection between personal experiences and the structural dimension of social problems, understanding the role of public policies and democratic institutions; -strengthen ethical and non-violent argumentation skills through structured debates and simulations; -acquire practical tools for basic social research (interviews, observation, data analysis, and analysis of local policies); -develop civic storytelling and media production skills through the creation of podcasts on relevant social and political issues; -promote European values such as pluralism, respect for diversity, intercultural dialogue, and active democratic participation. Another objective was to strengthen young people’s sense of self-efficacy, encouraging them to transform critical awareness into concrete action within their local communities, also through the development of follow-up ideas and pathways for civic participation. Finally, the project aimed to support non-formal learning and the recognition of acquired competences by integrating a structured process of daily reflection and enhancement of the experience through the Youthpass.