From 29 April to 6 May 2026, young Sardinian youth workers took part in “VERITAS”, an Erasmus+ Training Course hosted in Skaudvilė, Lithuania, which brought together 33 youth workers from 11 European countries.
The project aimed to strengthen youth workers’ competences in combating disinformation and fake news, with particular attention to propaganda phenomena, through practical media literacy methodologies and non-formal education tools.
During the training course, participants explored topics such as fact-checking, source verification, investigative journalism, digital communication, and critical thinking. Through simulations, group work, and practical activities, they developed useful skills to support young people in recognising and challenging online disinformation.
One of the key aspects of the project was the development of educational methodologies adaptable to different local contexts. The aim was to transfer the knowledge and tools acquired during the training back to participants’ communities through workshops, awareness-raising activities, and educational pathways addressed to young people.
Below are their testimonials:
Leandra:
“From 29 April to 6 May, I had the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ Training Course VERITAS, organised by Tauragės suaugusiųjų švietimo centras, thanks to the mobility opportunities offered by Malik to young people. Although I had never had previous experience as a youth worker, I wanted to challenge myself and understand how alternative forms of education can be created and experienced beyond the traditional formal education system.
In Skaudvilė, a small town in Lithuania, we had the chance to learn and experiment with different icebreakers and group dynamics. Through stimulating discussions on political and social topics, we exchanged ideas with young people from different European and international backgrounds.
The main topics of the course were disinformation, fake news, and fact-checking, with a focus on how to use these tools to educate young people online and help them develop conscious and critical thinking skills. The final days were dedicated to the practical part: designing non-formal education activities to be implemented in a school with Lithuanian students aged between 10 and 13.
Despite the short duration of the project and the intensive programme, it was an experience that truly broadened my perspective and helped me acquire new skills. What I appreciate most about these opportunities is the possibility of building an international network and returning home with new friendships and connections that may lead to future cooperation projects.”
Angelica:
“The Erasmus+ experience in Lithuania was much more than just a journey. It was a concrete opportunity to step outside my own reality and learn to look at the world from different perspectives. Through activities related to communication, investigative journalism, and disinformation, I understood how much words, news, and social media can influence the way we think and perceive others.
It was inspiring to exchange ideas with young people from different cultures, speak English every day, and discover how much we can grow simply by listening to perspectives different from our own. This experience left me with something deeply human as well as educational: more curiosity, greater awareness, and the desire to continue learning, understanding, and questioning things that we often take for granted.”
Andrea:
“Taking part in the Erasmus+ project in Lithuania was an incredibly positive experience that gave me so much. Before leaving, my biggest concern was the language, as I did not speak English very well. Many times, I struggled to fully understand everything, and I was disappointed because I would have liked to participate more actively in the activities.
However, being there helped me overcome this difficulty and improve a lot. It was amazing to meet people from many different countries, discover new cultures, build new friendships, and most importantly, have a great time together. The topics explored during the workshops were also very interesting and inspiring.
In the end, the experience was extremely positive: an adventure that helped me grow a lot and that I would truly recommend to everyone!”
