Georgia: Youth Advocates Host Workshop on Media Literacy and Disinformation

Young European Ambassadors Equip Georgian Students with Digital Literacy Skills

A group of Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) conducted an educational workshop focused on media literacy and digital awareness for students in Bolnisi, Georgia on April 13, 2025. The initiative, held at Ioane Bolneli Secondary School, reached 25 local youth and addressed growing concerns about misinformation in today’s digital landscape.

The workshop emphasized practical skills for identifying false information online, understanding the influence of social media on public opinion, and developing critical thinking abilities when consuming digital content. Students participated in interactive discussions about the challenges of navigating an increasingly complex media environment.

“Our goal was to empower these students with the tools they need to become discerning digital citizens,” said one of the three YEAs who facilitated the event. “In an age where misinformation spreads rapidly, these skills are essential.”

The timing of this initiative is particularly relevant for Georgia, a country that has experienced significant digital disinformation campaigns in recent years. As Georgia continues to strengthen its ties with European institutions, media literacy has become a priority area for educational development, especially among younger generations who consume most of their information online.

During the workshop, participants learned concrete strategies for verifying information sources, recognizing misleading content, and understanding how social media algorithms can create information bubbles. The YEAs also provided valuable information about EU opportunities available to Georgian youth through the Eastern Partnership program.

The Eastern Partnership, launched in 2009, represents the European Union’s policy initiative aimed at strengthening relationships with six eastern neighbors including Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. The program offers various educational, cultural, and professional development opportunities that many Georgian students remain unaware of.

The event was organized in cooperation with several local partners, including Peak of Changes, a Georgian non-governmental organization focused on youth development, and the Civic Education Club at Ioane Bolneli Secondary School. This collaboration reflects a growing trend of partnerships between European initiatives and local Georgian institutions to address shared challenges.

Media literacy has become increasingly important in Georgia’s educational landscape as the country navigates complex geopolitical realities. A 2023 study by the Georgian Media Literacy Association found that only 34 percent of Georgian teenagers felt confident in their ability to identify fake news and misinformation online, highlighting the necessity of initiatives like this workshop.

The YEAs program itself represents an important soft power initiative by the European Union, creating networks of young advocates across Eastern Partnership countries who promote European values and opportunities. Currently active in all six Eastern Partnership countries, the program involves over 700 young people who serve as bridges between their communities and European institutions.

Feedback from participants indicated the workshop achieved its core objectives. “I never realized how much my views were being shaped by what I see online,” commented one student. “Now I’ll be much more careful about checking sources before believing or sharing information.”

Looking forward, the YEAs plan to expand their media literacy initiative to other regions of Georgia, with particular focus on rural areas where access to digital literacy education is often limited. The organizers have already received requests from several schools interested in hosting similar events.

As digital platforms continue to dominate information consumption globally, such grassroots education initiatives represent an important complement to formal education systems struggling to keep pace with rapidly evolving digital environments.