Together in support of diversity

Background Participating project partners implement large-scale activity in the field of youth policies, within their countries and localities where they are registered. In 2019-2020, a large-scale study was carried out on the details of young people, according to the real reality of the digital world around them. The goal was that the young people themselves indicate their needs, problems and difficulties they face. The problems and needs expressed by young people were analyzed and as a conclusion corresponded to the following strategic documents and studies: 1) According to the "EU Action Plan against disinformation" (5.12.2018), "disinformation can cause "public harm", including a threat to the "democratic process". 2) The EU Youth Strategy (2019-2027) reports as a specific challenge for young people "Uncertainty about the future as a result of technological changes, populism, discrimination, social exclusion and fake news". In view of the results, the three partner organizations united around the creation of the project "Together in Support of Diversity", which aimed to support young people in their difficulties. Objectives With the implementation of this project, we set ourselves the goal of countering discrimination and the negative effects of fake news and online misinformation on young people. We achieved this goal through the development, implementation and dissemination of an innovative training methodology for young people, as well as through the development, through training seminars, of the capacity of youth workers from the three partner countries for its implementation, training of young people and transfer of good practices among representatives of sectors related to youth activity - school education. The specific objectives of the project were: 1) Develop an innovative methodology for training young people that promotes diversity and creates anti-discrimination skills, fake news and online disinformation; 2) Development of skills in young people and youth workers, incl. digital competences, social and civic competences and media literacy, initiative and entrepreneurial competencies; 3) Transfer of good practices to representatives of other sectors related to youth activity - secondary schools. Implementation The following activities were planned and implemented within the framework of the project implementation: 1) Development and implementation of an innovative training methodology aimed at young people at risk of marginalization originating from small settlements; 2) "Training, 5 days for 15 youth workers; 3) "Blended mobility training", 5 days for 30 young people from the three partner countries; 4) "Training, 5 days for 15 youth workers;. 5) Development, printing and distribution of a Manual for applying the methodology; 6) Dissemination of results and communication. Achievements The following results were achieved after the project was completed: 1) Developed and applied Innovative training methodology, which: 1.1 Apply the methods of non-formal education for young people, with a special focus on the needs of young people at risk of marginalization and with a special focus on young people from small settlements; 1.2 It is directed in three thematic directions: 1/Promoting diversity'; 2/ Combating discrimination; 3/Countering online disinformation and fake news; 2) Developed skills of 30 youth workers from the three countries to apply the 4 training modules, as well as development of digital, social and civic skills and skills for initiative and entrepreneurship; 3) Trained 30 young people from Bulgaria, Turkey and Romania, including young people in a disadvantaged position due to (different ethno-cultural affiliation and/or low social status). 4) Encouraged intersectoral interaction through transfer of the developed training methodology and good practices to 20 representatives of related youth activity, sectors of formal education - school education. 5) Created a training resource for practicing youth work, building on good practices from the three organizations.