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Description
The aim of the project is to promote the integration of young people, to increase the involvement of young people living in geographically disadvantaged areas (especially north-eastern Estonia) and ethnic minorities, to harness new media for non-governmental development and to strengthen contacts with democratic civil society in Estonia and Russia. The main target group of the project is young people of different nationalities aged 16-30. The objectives of the project will be to implement civic education events and trainings aimed at the general public and activists, support volunteer networks and information activities (including the widespread implementation of new media), aimed in particular at young people, but also at society as a whole.
Summary of project results
The project aims to foster the integration of young people, particularly those from geographically disadvantaged areas, such as northeastern Estonia, and ethnic minorities. It seeks to enhance youth participation, leverage new media for the development of non-governmental initiatives, and strengthen connections with democratic civil society in Estonia and neighboring Russia. Targeting individuals aged 16–30 from diverse national backgrounds, the project focuses on implementing civic education events and training for both the general public and activists. Additionally, it supports volunteer networks and information initiatives, with a strong emphasis on utilizing new media to engage young people and society as a whole.
The project included two main types of activities: training sessions, workshops, practical exercises, and editorial work within the Youth Media Lab, as well as discussions on political and societal issues, including meetings and network-building with democratic civil society organizations in Russia.
The Youth Media Lab activities—comprising training sessions, hands-on workshops, and editorial work—significantly contributed to improving young people''s media literacy and civic awareness. Participants gained practical skills in journalism, digital media production, and social media, helping them better understand media operations, different platforms, and how to critically assess the reliability of information sources.
Workshops with journalists, media experts, and practitioners provided opportunities for young people to analyze media-related topics, enhancing their ability to critically evaluate media influence on society and individual opinions. These sessions also strengthened their argumentation skills, as discussions and collaborative tasks encouraged them to express their views and present their perspectives convincingly.
Editorial activities, including news writing, media project management, and content creation, motivated young people to engage in societal issues, participate in civic activism, and contribute to CSOs—even those with no prior experience. This involvement shaped their perspectives on media and society, increasing their awareness of social issues and encouraging active participation in public discussions and decision-making for the benefit of their communities.
Meetings and network-building with democratic civil society organizations in Russia fostered collaboration on joint projects, facilitated the exchange of ideas and best practices, and strengthened the visibility and impact of these organizations. Additionally, these interactions raised awareness of critical issues such as human rights violations and the challenges faced by the new Russian diaspora in the European Union, contributing to increased public awareness and political support for addressing these concerns.
The project successfully enhanced young people''s media literacy and civic competencies through Youth Media Lab training sessions, workshops, practical exercises, and editorial activities, combined with public discussions. Participants acquired valuable skills in journalism, digital media production, and social media, enabling them to better understand media operations, evaluate different platforms, and critically assess the reliability of information sources. Additionally, these activities fostered argumentation skills, as discussions and collaborative tasks encouraged participants to express and defend their viewpoints effectively.
Beyond skill development, the project motivated young people to actively engage in societal issues, participate in civic activism, and join non-governmental organizations—including those with no prior experience in such activities. As a result, long-term and reliable partnerships were established or strengthened with various organizations, including youth groups, media outlets, political and civic actors, and democratic civil society organizations in Russia. These connections provide a foundation for continued collaboration and future initiatives.
The project''s activities and outcomes proved valuable not only for the target group but also for the broader community, fostering greater engagement in future projects. Participant feedback indicated that the activities met their needs and expectations, while partner organizations expressed willingness to continue supporting and implementing similar initiatives in the future.