From 6 to 9 September 2024, the kick-off meeting of the DEMOCRACYWISE project, an initiative funded by the European Union under the CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values). The project, coordinated by the Cultural Association Lighthouse Languages, involves a consortium of partners from seven different European countries: Italy, Cyprus, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Ireland and Hungary.
DEMOCRACYWISE aims to strengthen the democratic participation of citizens and enhance the resilience of communities against disinformation. In a European context increasingly threatened by the proliferation of fake news and disinformation, the project aims to provide citizens with the necessary tools to critically navigate the current media landscape, while promoting an intergenerational and inclusive dialogue.
During the kick-off meeting, representatives of the various partners will meet to discuss the main objectives of the project, including:
– Involvement of citizens through open and informed dialogues in local communities.
– Empowerment of participants with international workshops and local outreach activities aimed at developing fact-checking skills and media literacy.
– Promoting inclusion by ensuring the participation of citizens of different ages, backgrounds and social backgrounds.
– Sustainability of the project beyond the duration of the funding, thanks to the creation of digital resources and long-term planning.
The project has been carefully planned to make the most of each partner’s expertise. The Lighthouse Languages Cultural Association, as coordinator, will lead the project management activities, ensuring effective coordination among the partners and the achievement of the set goals. Each partner will contribute their expertise in specific areas, such as organizing local events, facilitating international workshops, and creating educational resources.
The kick-off meeting will provide an opportunity to define a clear and detailed work plan. Over the next 24 months, the consortium will focus on several key activities, including:
– International Workshops: meetings that will bring together citizens from different European countries to discuss and debate issues relevant to democracy and civic participation.
– Local awareness events: activities that will engage local communities in initiatives to promote media literacy and combat misinformation.
– Local Citizen Panels: discussion groups that will gather input and suggestions from citizens to influence policy decisions at the local and European levels.
The kick-off meeting of the DEMOCRACYWISE project represents a key step toward realizing the ambitious goals of the project. The partners showed strong commitment and a clear common vision, ready to be translated into concrete actions. In the coming months, the consortium will work hard to engage local communities and develop the skills needed to address the challenges of disinformation and democratic participation.
DEMOCRACYWISE non è solo un progetto, ma un movimento per una democrazia più forte e resiliente in Europa, dove ogni cittadino ha la possibilità e gli strumenti per contribuire attivamente al futuro dell’Unione.
