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Description
In 2020 Safer Internet Centre published shocking findings of a representative survey carried out within the frame of the Find Another Way campaign and financed by the European Commission. The findings showed that 52% of the Bulgarian youth (14-19) had been exposed to extreme content online calling for aggression and hatred towards certain social groups.. We set up Channel 4 a year and a half ago and it has quickly turned into one of the favourite projects of our team, as it has really attracted young people who are thinking and willing to be truly active and who have given their time and energy for the project. Channel 4 has been set up as a platform in the Internet where young people are. It is based on a peer-to-peer approach and it has videos and podcasts fully on topics related to active citizenship and critical thinking. Our goal is to make Channel 4 not only a real alternative information source but also a catalyst for the development of the podcast environment and thus help solve the above issue in the long run. To achieve our goal we need to reinforce our position, maintain the team motivation and find partners. That is why Channel 4 will diversify and profile its content (thematic subchannels will be set up) with more detailed information about topics such as environmental protection, culture, human rights and minorities/refugees, promotion of protection of freedom of expression and democratic principles; expand and renew the youth team of the platform and boost the leadership potential of its members with a view to achieving its goals; study the existing youth podcast channels and take steps to create a community centred on shared values and goals to educate active and thinking young people and thus multiply the audience that we convey our messages to. We will continue generating our own unique audio and video content and we will invest funds and efforts to make our podcasts further recognized as an alternative to shape youth opinion and attitudes.
Summary of project results
The project "Network of Platforms for Active Citizenship" aims to support the process of building critical thinking skills among young people and to encourage their awareness as citizens with rights and responsibilities in society. To achieve this, Channel 4 diversifies and profiles its content on topics such as environmental conservation, culture, human rights, minorities/refugees, as well as promoting the protection of freedom of speech and democratic principles. The project also aims to expand and update the youth team of the platform by developing its leadership potential to educate active and thoughtful young people through the generation of unique audio and video content as an alternative means of shaping opinions and attitudes among young people.
68 new episodes were produced in both video and audio formats, primarily aimed at promoting the protection of freedom of speech and democratic principles. The youth team of the platform expanded to 15 participants, who underwent training and mentorship programs involving both Bulgarian and international experts. Lessons learned were directly applied in Channel 4''s work and reflected in additional communication activities. Additionally, a network of friendly platforms was established.
The project achieved significant results:
- Youth Participants: Over 15 transformed into engaged leaders with a strong interest in active citizenship.
- Foundation "Forty-Two": Strengthened connection with youth, showing the effectiveness of tailored activities.
- General Audience: Created 68 episodes promoting freedom of speech and democratic principles, reaching a wide audience.
- Media Landscape: Established a youth media channel diversifying perspectives and addressing overlooked topics.