“Youth in Action: Tackling Disinformation in the European Union” was a workshop which took place on 1 February 2024 in Brussels in the framework of TEPSA’s RADAR project. The event was coordinated by the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) and took place in English.

Workshop objectives

In the context of the upcoming European Parliament elections, the “Youth in Action” workshop placed a special emphasis on empowering the youth in countering disinformation, acknowledging their potential to shape the present and future of European democracy.

Participants had the unique opportunity to gain insights from leading experts, and high-level policy-makers into the complex challenges that our societies face today. They engaged in meaningful discussions with like-minded peers from across the EU, developed critical thinking skills, and received valuable training to recognise and counter the adverse effects of disinformation on European democracies.

Building upon the policy recommendations collected from Youth Labs held in other EU Member States this year, the “Youth in Action” workshop sought to refine and collaboratively improve relevant and targeted recommendations to counter the proliferation of disinformation within the EU.

The workshop’s ultimate goal was to propose a comprehensive set of recommendations to policy-makers on how to best tackle the impact of disinformation across five crucial areas: democratic and electoral processes, climate change, foreign interference, LGBTIQA+ and migrants and asylum-seekers

These recommendations were presented by five Youth Ambassadors to EU policy-makers during RADAR’s concluding Policy Conference on 2 February 2024. Learn more about this presentation in our complementary video!

Background

This workshop was open for applicants via a free call for applications closing on 24 November 2023. Applications were reviewed on a rolling basis and the assessment was finalised in December.

• Applicants were required to be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old;
• Applicants were required to have a residence in a Member State of the European Union;
• Applicants were required to demonstrate proficiency in English;
• Applicants were required to possess knowledge or express interest in disinformation and the selected policy areas;
• Applicants were required to be available to attend the Youth Workshop (1 February 2024) and the Policy Conference (2 February 2024);
• Participants from outside Belgium will see their transport and housing reimbursed by TEPSA.

Testimonial from participants

About the RADAR project

The “Youth in Action” workshop was a key component of RADAR (Raising Awareness on Disinformation: Achieving Resilience), TEPSA’s cutting-edge project that empowered citizens and raisds awareness on the topic of disinformation in the EU. RADAR aimed to provide an accessible public platform for debate on the issue through a series of events across the EU involving youth and other citizens. RADAR provided increased access to education on critical thinking and media literacy through training.