On July 14th and 15th, the three partners of the Erasmus+ project Fake News Busters – JUMP Association (Italy), Spojená škola Kollárova 17, Sečovce (Slovakia), and Nordic Horizon Institute (Sweden) – gathered in Soverato, Calabria, for a transnational coordination meeting hosted by the Italian partner, JUMP.
The two-day meeting aimed to strengthen strategic collaboration among partners and ensure consistent alignment across project activities. The agenda included:
- A comprehensive review of the project’s progress;
- Alignment on upcoming tasks and deliverables;
- Strategies to enhance inter-partner cooperation.
On the first day, partners met in person for the first time, presenting their institutions and exchanging experiences about the local relevance and potential impact of the project in their respective regions. This face-to-face encounter created a ground for mutual understanding and motivation. Particular attention was given to the first tangible results of the project, especially regarding the analysis of disinformation patterns among young people and the role of education in countering fake news. These insights will directly contribute to the development of the project’s educational resources.
JUMP Association also presented the project’s dissemination activities, including the management of the official website and the following of social media channels. These platforms are essential tools not only for increasing visibility but also for promoting media literacy and engaging young people in the fight against disinformation.
The day concluded with an open discussion about the next phase: the co-creation of game-based learning activities. These interactive tools are at the heart of the Fake News Busters project, aiming to develop critical thinking and digital literacy skills among students in an engaging and innovative manner.
The second day was crucial for defining the next steps and development directions. At the core of the discussion were the recognition of the training materials already produced and the preparation of the second activity focused on game-based learning.
The Slovakian partner introduced two key topics related to online behaviour and the digital world: deepfakes and netiquette. The meeting concluded with an update on the organisation of the Open Days – a public awareness campaign consisting of events aimed at promoting media and digital literacy, and highlighting their role in preventing radicalisation and societal polarisation.
This transnational meeting proved to be not only a moment of coordination but a true space for reflection and inspiration. The exchange of ideas among partners highlighted their common goal of equipping young people and educators with the tools necessary to navigate the digital world critically and responsibly.
Author: Giusy Froio, JUMP Team