Institute for Cultural Relations Policy

🎙️The ninth episode of the EU DEM Talks: Voices from the Field was released on the project's YouTube channel!

In this episode, we dive into a dynamic fact-checking competition open to the general public, bringing together children, young people, and adults to explore how information - and disinformation - is created. Through interactive workshops, games with images and words, and online quizzes, participants learn to question content critically, especially around gender stereotypes, climate change, AI, and social media.
The episode highlights a powerful message: sharing false information is never “just a click.” Disinformation has real consequences - from reinforcing harmful stereotypes to enabling cyberbullying and even offline violence.

Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvmkVFh2ans

This interview is part of the EU DEM project, which strengthens media literacy and critical thinking skills to counter disinformation across different age groups and learning contexts.

Stay tuned for more voices from the field!

🇪🇺 EU-DEM project is co-funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme of the European Union.

EU DEM EU DEM Talks: Voices from the Field – Episode9!

🌍 From international meetings to real local impact - what did UnityFusion actually achieve?

We have just published the UnityFusion Insights, and this time we are not just talking about activities - but what actually worked.

📊 Here is what we distilled from the project:
- what kind of cooperation models deliver real results,
- how international exchanges can turn into local action,
- and what we learned about building partnerships across regions as different as V4 and West Africa.

💡 A few takeaways:
- co-creation beats top-down planning,
- learning only matters if it is applied locally,
- and strong partnerships need shared expectations - not just shared funding.

This project was not just about mobilities - it was about testing a model where international learning directly feeds into community-level initiatives.

🔗 Read more about UnityFusion: http://culturalrelations.org/portfolio/unityfusion

The ICRP is delighted to share that the UnityFusion project webpage has just been updated with its latest outcomes and local impact initiatives.

Over the past months, UnityFusion has brought together partners from the Visegrad region and West Africa to strengthen cooperation, exchange knowledge, and empower young people through international mobility and case-based learning. But the real impact goes beyond the international events.

💡 The updated page now showcases:
- the key results of the project,
- insights from the Case-Based Learning Summit and Networking Conference,
- and most importantly, the Local Impact Initiatives implemented in partner countries.

These local actions demonstrate how international cooperation can translate into tangible community-level change, supporting youth engagement, project development, and civic participation.

🔗 Explore the full results and local actions here:
http://culturalrelations.org/portfolio/unityfusion

UnityFusion UnityFusion project aims to enhance capacity building between Visegrad countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland) and Western Africa (Mali, Cabo Verde, Ghana), focusing on leadership development, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship. It combines local and international engagement, empow...

EU-DEM Gender-related disinformation workshop held in Szolnok, Hungary: Nearly 50 young people took part in an interactive workshop on 25 March 2026 as part of the EU-DEM CERV project.

The activity aimed to strengthen participants’ critical media literacy, raise awareness of gender-related disinformation, and equip young people with practical tools to recognise and challenge misleading narratives in digital environments. Participants included high-school and university students, as well as youth workers and civil society actors.

What the activity focused on?
The workshop combined awareness-raising and practical learning through several key components:
• understanding gender-related disinformation and its societal impact
• identifying manipulation techniques, bias, and stereotypes in online content
• applying critical thinking through analysis, discussion, and interactive tools

The session began with an introduction to gender-related disinformation, where participants explored how false or misleading narratives can shape perceptions, reinforce stereotypes, and influence public understanding of gender-related issues. Real-life examples helped participants recognise how such content appears in everyday digital environments.

Small-group work allowed participants to analyse selected online content, identify underlying narratives, and reflect on potential societal impacts. This collaborative format encouraged open discussion and active engagement, even with a potentially sensitive topic.

The programme also included an individual knowledge test and a smartphone-based interactive quiz. The gamified element introduced a dynamic and competitive atmosphere, helping participants reinforce key concepts through real-life scenarios and timed challenges.

The workshop concluded with a reflection session, where participants shared insights and discussed how to recognise and respond to gender-related disinformation in their daily online interactions.

With 49 participants, the event successfully created an inclusive and balanced learning environment. Participants strengthened their ability to critically assess information, identify bias and manipulation, and engage confidently in discussions on complex social issues.

Youth workers highlighted that the combination of theoretical input, group analysis, and gamification offers practical methods that can be integrated into future educational and youth work activities.

🔗 Project info: http://culturalrelations.org/portfolio/eu-dem-gender-related-disinformation-workshop

EU-DEM Fact-checking training & competition held in Nyíregyháza, Hungary: Nearly 50 young people took part in an interactive training and competition on 20 November 2025 as part of the EU-DEM CERV project.

The activity aimed to strengthen media literacy, introduce practical fact-checking methods, and engage young people in applying these skills in a dynamic and interactive environment. Participants included high-school and university students, as well as local youth workers.

What the activity focused on
The event combined learning and practice through two key components:
• introducing the core principles and steps of fact-checking
• applying these methods through collaborative exercises and a competitive quiz format

The session began with an interactive introduction to fact-checking, where participants explored how to verify claims, assess sources, and recognise misleading online content. While many were already familiar with the concept of misinformation, the structured approach provided practical tools they could use in everyday digital situations.

Small-group activities allowed participants to apply these methods using non-political examples from science, history, popular culture, and social media. This approach created a safe and open learning environment, encouraging active participation and curiosity-driven exploration.

The highlight of the programme was a smartphone-based fact-checking competition. Participants answered timed questions based on real misinformation cases, identifying manipulation techniques and selecting appropriate verification strategies. The gamified format created a lively atmosphere, while instant feedback reinforced learning and engagement.

With 49 participants, the event successfully combined theoretical input, practical application, and interactive learning. Participants strengthened their ability to critically evaluate information and recognised fact-checking as a key skill for navigating today’s digital environment.

Youth workers highlighted that the methodology - combining collaboration, real-life examples, and gamification - can be effectively integrated into their own activities, supporting long-term impact within youth work.

🔗 Project info: http://culturalrelations.org/portfolio/eu-dem-fact-checking-training

What now, Europe? And how do young people reflect on its future after a year of dialogue and exchange?

On 23 March 2026, the ICRP organised the local youth participation event “What Now, Europe? Youth Reflections and Final Debate” in Budapest as part of the EU & Me – Rebuilding Trust, Shaping Tomorrow Erasmus+ project.

The event took place at the Alternatív Közgazdasági Gimnázium, creating a space for critical reflection, debate, and synthesis of the ideas developed throughout the project.

👥 28 young people participated in the event, engaging in discussions, group reflections, and a final structured debate focusing on:

key lessons and experiences from the EU & Me project
the future of youth participation in Europe
rebuilding trust in democratic institutions
the role of young people in shaping inclusive and resilient societies

Throughout the event, participants reflected on their learning journey, exchanged perspectives, and formulated their own visions for the future of Europe. The discussions were thoughtful, grounded, and forward-looking – showing a clear shift from initial questions towards more confident and articulated positions.

The event served as a closing moment of the project, linking international experiences with local reflection and reinforcing the importance of sustained youth engagement beyond project frameworks.

We thank all participants for their active contribution, and we are especially grateful to the Alternatív Közgazdasági Gimnázium for hosting this important discussion.

This event highlighted once again: meaningful participation does not end with dialogue – it continues through action and long-term engagement.

ℹ️ More information about the event: http://culturalrelations.org/portfolio/eu-me-what-now-europe

🇪🇺 Further information about the project: http://culturalrelations.org/portfolio/eu-me-rebuilding-trust-shaping-tomorrow

Between 17-22 March the six-day training course “From IKIGAI to Action: Youth Employability & Social Impact” took place in Rende, Italy, focusing on youth work, personal purpose, and social impact through the IKIGAI framework.

The ICRP delegated a participant to this program alongside youth workers and young people from Hungary 🇭🇺, Spain 🇪🇸, Italy 🇮🇹, Slovakia 🇸🇰, Germany 🇩🇪, Croatia 🇭🇷, Greece 🇬🇷, Lithuania 🇱🇹, Serbia 🇷🇸, Belgium 🇧🇪, Romania 🇷🇴, aspiring to develop in this field.

Throughout the training, participants explored the IKIGAI concept and learned how to transform it from a personal reflection tool into a practical methodology for youth work. Participants not only gained theoretical knowledge but also facilitated their own workshops, shared experiences, and co-created meaningful learning spaces.

A special focus was placed on outdoor activities, which helped young leaders to connect more deeply with themselves, the group, and the surrounding environment. Through a combination of practical exercises, group discussions, and reflection sessions, they learned to listen to themselves and find answers within.

This experience became an important step in understanding how knowledge, values, and personal interests can be transformed into real social initiatives and impact.

The international mobility was organised and hosted by Entropia DAM and the University of Calabria.

What does Europe mean to young people today? And how can their voices shape its future?

On 23 February 2026, the ICRP organised the local youth participation event “Voices of the Future: Youth Speak Up for Europe” in Budapest as part of the EU & Me – Rebuilding Trust, Shaping Tomorrow Erasmus+ project.

The event took place at the Alternatív Közgazdasági Gimnázium, providing an inspiring and open environment for dialogue and critical reflection.

👥 25 young people participated in the event, engaging in interactive workshops, small-group discussions, and a structured dialogue on:
- trust in democratic institutions
- youth participation in public life
- the role of the European Union in shaping their everyday realities
- media literacy and the challenge of misinformation

Throughout the day, participants shared personal experiences, debated current challenges, and explored how young people can move from skepticism to active civic engagement. The atmosphere was dynamic, honest, and solution-oriented - proving that when given the space, young people are ready to speak up and take responsibility.

The event also built a bridge between international mobility experiences and local action, transforming European-level discussions into concrete dialogue within the Hungarian context.

We thank all participants for their openness and active contribution, and we are especially grateful to the Alternatív Közgazdasági Gimnázium for hosting this meaningful exchange.

This event reminded us once again: democracy grows stronger when young people are not only heard - but taken seriously.

ℹ️ More information about the event: http://culturalrelations.org/portfolio/eu-me-voices-of-the-future

🇪🇺 Further information about the project: http://culturalrelations.org/portfolio/eu-me-rebuilding-trust-shaping-tomorrow