MYTHbusters – Chapter 2

 We’re excited to announce the finalization of the impactful training course “𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐”, which took place between ⏳ 23 April – 1 May 2025 in 📍Bușteni, Romania —a continuation of our commitment to developing critical thinking and accurate information skills for youth work in Europe.
The training course brought together 27 youth workers and trainers from Romania,  Italy, Spain,  Greece, Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, and Serbia.

The program tackled the pressing issue of disinformation, especially in the digital age, focusing on how myths and stereotypes distort perception and perpetuate prejudice. Participants looked more into how fake news spreads, how myths are formed, and how youth workers can actively counteract them in their work.

By equipping youth workers with the tools to analyze, deconstruct, and challenge harmful narratives, the training course strengthened their ability to guide young people toward a more informed, open, and critical society.

⚡️ 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 were to:
📌 Equip 29 youth workers from 9 European countries with critical thinking competences, focused on spotting and tackling myths, stereotypes, and fake news.
📌 Boost participant creativity in developing and applying non-formal educational methods that stimulate critical thinking in youth work.
📌 Enhance the capacity of partner organizations to act as multipliers in the field of disinformation and accurate information.

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 followed a 4-phase structure over the 7 days of activities:
🔴 Phase 1: Team building and setting the learning framework.
🟠 Phase 2: Exploring fake news, digital disinformation, and myth creation.
🟡 Phase 3: Non-formal tool design.
🟢 Phase 4: Final evaluation and follow-up.

🔑 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 included: included: CRAAP method presentation and group news verification; Opinions vs. facts session; Myths, superstitions, and disinformation workshop; Masquerade role-play game; AI in critical thinking session; Cognitive biases and fallacies workshop; Creation of online posts on disinformation; Community activity development in teams; Evening presentations and feedback sessions

 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 were:
✔️ Collected information about the national situation on critical thinking from the eight participating countries.
✔️ Five online news items verified using the CRAAP method.
✔️ Ten online myths debunked, including explanations of how they gained traction online (myth + the real part + sources).
✔️ Four online campaigns addressing online myths and disinformation.
✔️ Critical thinking activities designed for the eight European countries represented at the training course.

👏 A big thank you to all youth workers, partners, and facilitators who contributed to making “Mythbusters Chapter 2” a truly empowering experience! 🫶🏻