We are joining forces with #EftaliveGR in the ongoing fight against #FakeNews, while also joining forces with the European #YouthMythBusters programme. Our Greek participation in the European competition took us to first place across Europe.
According to Eurofound, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, young people aged 15–20 and those not in education, employment or training (NEETs) are less interested in politics — with only 28.7% expressing an interest — report a lower intention to vote and demonstrate lower levels of social participation than young people who are in education, employment or training. In this context, the internet and social media could play an important role by creating new pathways for political participation and civic engagement.
In reality, however, although 80% of young people aged 16–29 use the internet and social media on a daily basis, only 40% have adequate digital skills, while just 2% demonstrate critical thinking when searching for information online. This has created new challenges, as the rise of fake news online and across social media has reached worrying levels. At the same time, disinformation has become a major threat to European democracies and societies, undermining citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and democracy itself.
Therefore, the combination of low political and civic engagement and limited digital skills among young people - particularly NEETs - has intensified the need for measures that address these challenges while simultaneously combating fake news, propaganda and manipulation.
The Greek participation of the Scientific & Editorial Team of #EftaliveGR
The European #YouthMythBusters Programme and Its Innovation
By encouraging young people with the potential to influence others online (influencers) to take on the role of Leaders and empower their peers at risk of social exclusion — particularly young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) — the YouthMythBusters project aims ultimately to promote their civic and political engagement while combating fake news, manipulation and propaganda.
One of the project’s key objectives is to promote the participation of young people and those at risk of social exclusion (NEETs) in democratic and political life. It also places strong emphasis on developing critical thinking and digital literacy among NEETs and other young people from vulnerable groups, with the aim of strengthening democracy and combating manipulation, propaganda and fake news.
Through a wide range of training sessions and idea-generation workshops, the programme provided young influencers, as well as young people experiencing social, educational and technological exclusion, with practical knowledge and skills to take on a leadership role, strengthen civic and political participation among their peers, and counter fake news, manipulation and propaganda.
Specialised training material was developed for young influencers (five in each participating country), focusing on how to encourage civic and political participation among their peers — NEETs and other vulnerable young people — through digital literacy and critical thinking. The training prepared young influencers to assume a leadership role and encourage greater civic and political engagement among their peers.
The content was divided into thematic modules covering the identification of fake news, propaganda and manipulation; teaching digital literacy skills to vulnerable young people; and promoting civic and political participation and engagement.
All the material was uploaded to a dedicated e-learning platform, designed both to help users understand the nature of fake news and learn how to identify and recognise it, as well as to explore ways of improving the wider journalism and online information ecosystem. The platform also offered users the opportunity to obtain certification through the European team implementing the programme, as part of the recognition and dissemination of knowledge within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme. The platform included interactive quizzes, exercises and tests, accessible asynchronously, as well as training simulation programmes, allowing users to develop their skills at their own pace.
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The European Competition and the Greek #EftaliveGR Entry
The #EcharityGR and #EftaliveGR portals participated in and supported the implementation of the #YouthMythBusters project through promotional activities, multi-level initiatives and the dissemination of information through their editorial content. From the very beginning, we have been committed to combating #FakeNews, a priority both for the European Union - particularly during the surge in false and inaccurate information amid the #Coronavirus pandemic - and for the United Nations, which has developed a multidimensional technological and operational network to identify, address and counter fake news.
In 2020, following the completion of most of the activities and initiatives of the European YouthMythBusters programme, we had the honour, as a media outlet through the #EftaliveGR portal, of representing Greece at the European competition. Our editorial team therefore developed a project which, after being submitted to the Greek programme committee, went on to compete at European level.
At the link below, you can find the national entries created to combat #FakeNews, with the aim of rewriting the “story” and breaking the vicious cycle of spreading false information. We participated with the meme below and called on you to vote for GREECE. Thanks to your votes, we managed to secure 1st place at European level, and we would soon officially receive the award recognising our country’s achievement from the European Commission.
