Critical thinkers

Background The COVID-19 crisis has unveiled how vulnerable Europe is to disinformation and populism. Some young people tend to have problems differentiating good quality media from opinion pieces and even influencers. Some perceive random people speaking on YouTube or Instagram as far more trustworthy than traditional media, because they are more likable and relatable. Although Baltic States have been exposed to disinformation campaigns from Russia and have gathered valuable experience in building resilience, disinformation during Covid-19 was rampant in all three countries. Each of three has had different initiatives and projects in teaching and countering disinformation, however most of the available materials are rather academic and complex and fails to correspond to young peoples needs and are impossible to be used by youth workers. We believe that the COVID-19 crisis is a perfect time to aggregate Baltic know-how and experience and explore together in order to come with solutions applicable to all Europe. Critical thinking and conscious participation are key in building resilience of young people to desinformation and manipulation. Therefore, this project aimed to accumulate the know-how and experience of three Baltic States and three different organisations working in media literacy, political watchdogging and gamification fields in developing blended online and offline educational materials targeted to youth NGOs, youth workers, educators and young people. These target groups directly work with young people who are the most passive in public life and are active users of online. Often critical thinking and media literacy training materials they are using now are complicated, dry and not relevant to younger audiences. A goal of this project was to change that. Objectives To analyse, compare and reflect on current practices and materials available in Baltic States on critical thinking and conscious participation. To develop an online training course on critical thinking, media literacy and conscious participation for youth NGOS, youth workers and leaders with focus to youth. To create interactive offline educational games on critical thinking and conscious participation relevant to young people and their needs. To improve youth NGOs, youth workers and youth leaders competences in critical thinking and conscious participation To increase awareness of young people of disinformation, fake news and threats to democracy To facilitate mutual learning and build network of organisations working in the fields of critical thinking and conscious participation Implementation Project had the following activities: 3 Transnational Projects Meeting (Kick-Off, Mid term, Evaluation) 2 Short-term joint staff training events: Short term training about watchdogging, critical thinking, media literacy, Short-term training about game development 2 Intellectual Outputs: Media Literacy E-course and Critical Thinker's Toolbox 3 live Multiplier Events in all three Partner Countries and an online webinar. Achievements We created an Innovative blended education programme combining: 1 online course and educational platform: https://criticalthinkers.thinkific.com/courses/CriticalThinkers the course was taken by 897 people. a toolkit of 11 games and educational methods that was and will be continuously used by participating organisations and broader across Baltic States, Europe & internationally (used in at least 10 events already in the time of the project) 15 Youth NGOs representatives, youth workers and leaders improved their competences in media literacy, critical thinking and watchdogging. 14 Youth NGOs representatives, youth workers and leaders improve their abilities in game designing and creative thinking. Nearly 50 young people were involved in the process of development of educational materials 226 youth NGOs representatives, youth workers and leaders and stakeholders (81 from Baltic countries and 145 from other countries) informed about and using the blended education in e-platform and the toolkit through participating in live or online events. 937 young people and youth workers increased awareness of disinformation and its threats to democracy, media literacy, critical thinking and conscious participation. Created a network of Baltic NGOs and youth leaders in the field of critical thinking and conscious participation.