From Fake to Real – Erasmus+ project in Italy

From October 8th to 16th, a group of young participants from Bildung Nijmegen travelled to southern Italy to take part in the Erasmus+ youth exchange From Fake to Real. Together with peers from Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Romania and Italy, they explored how fake news and misinformation shape our societies and how young people can strengthen their resilience against them.

The project focused on media literacy, critical thinking and intercultural dialogue. Through workshops, group challenges, discussions and creative sessions, participants learned not only how to recognise misinformation, but also how to take responsibility when sharing information online. Themes such as climate change, social media influence and the power of storytelling were central throughout the week.

Beyond the learning sessions, there was plenty of space for connection and exchange. During the intercultural evenings, participants shared food, stories and music from their home countries, discovering how different perspectives can enrich understanding and friendship.

Arthur shared: “Erasmus gives you the opportunity not only to learn about a project but also about yourself. In a completely new setting with people from different countries and perspectives, you discover new ideas and ways of thinking.”

Joas added: “Through an Erasmus+ project you meet young people from different countries. It leads to meaningful and insightful conversations where you share knowledge, worries and laughter. In Italy we learned how to become more resilient against fake news. It was beautiful to see how concerns about misinformation are shared by everyone.”

From Fake to Real reminded us that critical thinking and empathy go hand in hand. Projects like this empower young people to see the world through different eyes, aware, reflective and connected across borders.

From Fake to Real - 2025 1 IT03 KA152 YOU 000299120