About the project
empowering critical thinkers
The “Be smart, be tolerant (BEST)” project aims to increase the capacity of youth workers to carry out activities that develop young people’s skills to identify fake news and motivate them to get involved in combating this phenomenon. To do that, the project will develop a “BEST” training kit for young people and youth workers to help them better respond to the challenges generated by the phenomenon of spreading fake news that affects us more and more intensely.
Project “Be smart, be tolerant! (BEST)” is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme. The project number: 2022-2-RO01-KA220-YOU-000099705
project rationale
The rationale behind the project stems from a recognition of the escalating challenges posed by the widespread dissemination of fake news in today’s digital age.
Widespread Perception of Fake News as a Problem
Around 85% of Europeans perceive fake news as a significant issue in their own countries, and 83% view it as a threat to democracy
Exploitation of Prejudices and Sensitive Issues
Fake news messages often appeal to prejudices and exploit sensitive topics, such as ethnic, racial, or religious tensions, diverting attention from relevant issues.
Diverse Goals of Fakes news and propaganda
False claims are strategically designed to trigger political changes, manipulate public opinion, create confusion, and destabilize societies.
Vulnerability of Young People
Young people, being more exposed due to higher consumption of news and increased use of social media, are particularly vulnerable to misinformation.
Lack of Trustworthy Sources Online
Studies reveal that young people often struggle to distinguish between trustworthy and unreliable sources online.
Dominance of Social Media Platforms
Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms are primary sources of information for young people.
project partners
The project brings together partners from 4 European countries: Romania, Cyprus, Spain and Italy
ASOCIATIA SMART EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS, ROMANIA (Coordinator)
Founded in 2011, SMART EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS Association is a non-governmental organization focusing on a wide range of areas, including educational initiatives for youth and adults, in-service training programs, counseling, and career development activities. Additionally, we actively engage in promoting interculturality and equal opportunities, offering consultancy services for writing and implementing projects with European funding. In the social field, our efforts extend to aid projects tailored for disadvantaged individuals and groups, along with support for the development plans of local communities. Embracing environmental concerns, we are dedicated to projects in the field of environmental protection and environmental education. Our overarching goal is to contribute meaningfully to societal advancement across diverse domains.
DOREA EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE, CYPRUS
DOREA Educational Institute is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2012 in Limassol, Cyprus. It offers continuous personal and professional development training solutions for professionals and the general public throughout Europe.
DOREA Educational Institute’s general scope is to provide high-quality non-formal education for adults and youth, covering the three main areas of non-formal education: socio-cultural (popular) education, education for personal development and professional training.
DOREA aspires to create a difference for the future by placing its emphasis on human potential and empowering people to find their own voice and tap into their own giftedness.
ERASMUS LEARNING ACADEMY, ITALY
The Erasmus Learning Academy (ELA) is a training centre that strongly believes in and supports the innovation, modernisation and internationalisation of education. ELA aims to foster quality improvements and excellence in education and training. ELA designs and organises training courses and structured training events as well as job-shadowing and study visits for teachers, trainers, headmaster and other education staff to support them in improving their competencies and the quality of education provided by acquiring transversal skills and specific knowledge on innovative teaching methods and practices.
EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR TRAINING AND SKILLS, SPAIN
IFET is a specialized educational centre that, over the years, has managed to accumulate extensive knowledge and solid skills in the field of technological sciences applied to teaching. Science and technology have the potential to radically change the world we live in, and that is why we must consider them the most important of our horizons; It is therefore essential to train citizens capable of using new technologies in an innovative, creative and intentional way. IFET promotes the internationalization of teaching and research through constructive collaborations with research institutions, universities and industries in Spain, Europe and the rest of the world.
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DISCLAIMER
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the ANPCDEFP. Neither the European Union nor the ANPCDEFP can be held responsible for them.