In today’s fast-developing media landscape, attention-grabbing content and manipulative techniques are evolving just as rapidly, fueling the industry of propaganda and fake news. New technologies are increasingly used to influence public opinion and democracy. Social media platforms, where young people spend much of their time, are saturated with content designed to capture attention. Youth often scroll through feeds without realizing that each reaction to an AI-generated video or visually appealing post—sometimes with little or no substance—feeds the algorithm, which responds instantly. Exiting this “algorithmic trap” is difficult, as platforms benefit from prolonged engagement. The young people initiating this project are well aware of the risks of falling into these media traps. This issue affects not only news and political content, which comprise the majority of the problem, but also marketing, social, and civic life. The problem of fake news is particularly widespread in the selected partner countries, partly due to Russia’s media influence campaigns and the spread of narratives promoting anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and anti-democratic or anarchist movements on platforms like TikTok. The rise of influencers who prioritize financial gain over fact-checking, as well as AI-generated content that can mimic both the appearance and voice of real people, contributes to panic and undermines trust in critical tools of political and civic life. On a personal level, young people often face information overload and struggle to discern reliable, evidence-based sources or to explore topics from multiple perspectives without falling into algorithmic traps. All of these challenges are linked to a lack of skills among young people to act against misinformation, seek accurate information, and prevent the spread of disinformation and propaganda. Project implementation: The project will be implemented by seven organisations: PEWOBE GEMEINNUTZIGE SOZIALE BETREUUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH (Germany), Marcela Jasinska (Poland), Scambieuro (Italy), Jugendzentrum Perg (Austria), Örökzöld Egzesület (Hungary), COSI Civic Orientation and Social Integration (Romania), and Association Center for Research and Analysis NOVUS (North Macedonia), from 16 to 24 August 2027. Major aims of the project: - strengthen media literacy, quip participants with knowledge and skills to identify fake news, disinformation, and manipulated content; - learn to critically analyse sources, intentions, and the impact of media messages; - promote responsible digital behaviours and encourage reflection on personal media consumption and production; - gain skills in fact-checking and communicating critically and respectfully in digital space; - develop critical thinking and analytical skill with understanding mechanisms behind media content, including algorithms, the attention economy, emotionalisation, and narrative creation; - navigate media responsibly and make informed decisions; - foster civic engagement and democratic awareness, empower participants to act as responsible digital citizens; - contribute to a more informed public sphere and understand societal consequences of misinformation and disinformation; - encourage intercultural learning and a European perspective; - develop the ability to critically assess information, resist manipulation, and make conscious choices about media use, including digital break; - enable participants to produce meaningful digital content that informs and educates peer. Specific aims of the project: - use international exchange, collaborative workshops, and participatory learning to explore shared challenges across Europe and promote mutual understanding; - foster creativity, personal development, and problem-solving skills among participants; - raise awareness in local communities partner countries about the dangers of fake news and propaganda; - increase participants’ civic, social, interpersonal, and language skills; - teach participants to design scenarios and plan workshops or events promoting openness, diversity, and individuality; - establish cooperation among participants that may result in future joint projects focused on youth well-being through creative approaches. From a youth work perspective, achieving these goals is essential, as young people at this age often lack the experience and skills to respond to these challenges or even access accurate information. The project aims to empower them to question facts, seek verified information, and engage critically with media content.