TC It’s a FACT

TC It’s a FACT

In November 2025, we sent our participants to an Erasmus+ training course called It’s a FACT, which took place from November 11 to 19 in the peaceful town of Schaijk in the Netherlands. The project brought together young people and youth workers from Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Romania, Latvia, and Slovakia to focus on media literacy and combating disinformation. Through non-formal education, interactive workshops, and international cooperation, the training aimed to strengthen critical thinking, improve understanding of how fake news spreads, and equip youth workers with practical tools to combat disinformation in their communities.

Our participants agreed that the project was exceptionally well organized, with trainers who adapted to the group's needs and created a pleasant and supportive learning environment. They particularly appreciated the practical approach – working with real media posts, analyzing manipulative techniques, and learning how confirmation bias, emotional targeting, and social media algorithms shape our perception of reality. Exploring the role of artificial intelligence in the production and dissemination of fake news was another key insight that broadened their understanding of today's digital challenges.

One of their favorite parts of the project was the creation of the “It’s a FACT Toolkit,” which they developed together. It contained practical procedures for verifying information, guides for media analysis, examples of real disinformation campaigns, and tasks that encourage critical thinking. They also valued the opportunity to practice essential skills such as source verification, recognizing emotional manipulation, evaluating platform credibility, and designing creative workshops that they can now implement in their own youth work.

Viktória said: “What interested me most were the practical exercises focused on identifying fake news and realizing that things are not always as they seem at first glance. We learned how to approach information critically, verify facts, and rely on trustworthy sources. The trainers also introduced us to the psychological aspects of manipulation, such as confirmation bias and the reasons why people tend to believe information that reinforces their existing beliefs.”

Jana added: “I would say that the facilitators and trainers were generally very kind and tried to accommodate all our requests. I can only say good things about the program and their work. I enjoyed working on the tasks and workshops, and the team and participants were great.”

Daniel shared: “We are returning home with practical tools, new friendships from all over Europe, and a clear motivation to apply the knowledge and skills we gained in our daily work with young people. At the same time, we realized what sources we get information from and how much these sources influence our opinions and decisions.”