Youth Exchange "In Media We Trust?" in Brno, Czech Republic

An Erasmus+ youth exchange was implemented in Brno of Czech Republic from 6th to 13th of July 2025. Below, you can read the experience of the participants of our team. 

Aris:

"In July 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ project in Brno, Czechia. It was the first time I applied for such an initiative, and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. Almost a month and a half later, I still find myself reminiscing daily about that one very special week!

The project was titled “In Media We Trust?” and its goal was to educate a group of young people from six different countries in the critical evaluation of online information. Our youth exchange took place through various alternative activities that reminded me of games we used to play at school or in summer camp. This was naturally a refreshing change from the more structured and “strict” education of school and university.

What truly made the experience special, however, were the people I met and the friends I made — both with the rest of the Greek delegation and with participants from other countries. I realized once again that people are like parallel lines—so different in their paths, yet so similar in their essence. The days we spent together were carefree and enjoyable, filled with laughter, walks, and intriguing conversations.

I am confident that I will participate in more Erasmus+ projects in the future, and I am already looking forward to the next adventure!"

Despoina: "Some time ago, I had the opportunity to participate in my very first Erasmus+ youth exchange, titled “In Media We Trust”, which took place in Brno, Czechia. It was a wonderful experience that truly opened up a whole new world for me. 

The main goal of the project was to be trained in the field of mass media and to learn how to distinguish between what is reliable and what is not. Through games, projects, workshops, presentations, and even creative activities such as the Murder Mystery (which was the highlight of the trip), we learned how to identify fake news, think critically, and protect our personal data. We also addressed the issue of bullying by watching a related movie and participating in relevant workshops. We created many PowerPoint presentations, made collages, and worked in teams on creative ideas. The youth exchange was perfectly organised, with facilitators who knew very well how to keep our interest and encourage collaboration. One of the most beautiful parts was the intercultural nights, where we discovered traditions, dances, and songs from different countries.

For me, this experience was not only fun but also truly educational. I now feel more knowledgeable, I think twice before believing something I read in the news, and I have learned to approach information with more critical thinking. Most importantly, I met wonderful people from different cultures. Everyone was incredibly friendly and open; we laughed, learned from one another, and have kept in touch to this day."

Aristotelis: "Participating in an Erasmus+ youth exchange in the Czech Republic was an experience that combined learning, creativity, and intercultural connection. The project focused on fake news, disinformation, and how to build trust in media and online platforms—topics that feel increasingly relevant in today’s world.

Even though I was already media literate and spend a large part of my time working on a computer, the youth exchange showed me there is always something new to learn. Through workshops, role-playing activities, creative group work, and discussions, we strengthened our skills in identifying misinformation, verifying sources, and thinking critically. Several activities stood out as highlights. The screening on cyber grooming was particularly powerful, sparking meaningful dialogue among participants. The interactive mystery games were another unforgettable moment, as they pushed us to put all the knowledge we had gained into practice in a challenging and exciting way.

What made the youth exchange truly special, however, was the human connection it created. I met inspiring people from different cultural backgrounds, shared traditions, food, and personal stories, and built friendships that will last far beyond the project. Cultural exchange nights, nature excursions, and long conversations deep into the night gave the experience a personal and memorable touch. I returned home not only with new skills and knowledge but also with a stronger sense of empathy, awareness, and responsibility as a digital citizen."

Ioanna: "My name is Ioanna, I’m 20 years old, and this was my 4th Erasmus+ project. This time, I had the opportunity to travel to Brno, Czech Republic, and participate in the project called “In Media We Trust.” It was an amazing week full of learning, laughter, self-growth, and intercultural exchange.

The main topic of the project was misinformation, disinformation, and fake news, concepts that are more relevant than ever in today’s digital world. Through workshops, theatrical performances, games, and teamwork, we explored the difference between fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, why people create and share fake content, how to identify questionable sources and the impact of media on public opinion and topics like cyberbullying, digital identity, and media literacy.

One of the highlights was conducting interviews in Brno with local people about fake news. It gave me real-world insight into how these issues affect different cultures. All in all, I met people from many different countries Estonia, Turkey, North Macedonia, Italy and Czech Republic. By this way, I improved my English communication skills and built my confidence. The intercultural nights were unforgettable: full of music, food, and stories. Every day started with energizers that brought us closer. We solved mysteries like FBI investigations and missing child cases through teamwork and critical thinking.

This project was not just about gaining knowledge. It was about building connections, understanding different perspectives, and growing as a European citizen." 

Dimitris: "This July, I had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ youth exchange in the Czech Republic, focused on the topic of fake news, disinformation, and how we build trust in social media and news platforms. It was a powerful experience that combined education, personal growth, and intercultural understanding.

Throughout the youth exchange, we engaged in a wide range of activities, including interactive workshops, role-playing games, group discussions, and creative tasks. We explored how to recognize fake news, evaluate sources, and strengthen our critical thinking—especially in a time when information is abundant but not always trustworthy.

One of the most meaningful moments of the youth exchange was when we created and performed short theatrical sketches focused on serious digital and social issues such as cyberbullying, grooming, and online harassment. These performances allowed us to approach complex topics in an emotional and expressive way, and then reflect on them together as a group. It was a deeply moving and educational experience.

It's worth mentioning that we haven’t yet explored in depth the current situation of fake news and disinformation in each participant’s country—something we hope to discuss further in the next stages of the project. This cross-national perspective is something I’m really looking forward to, as it would help us understand the issue on a broader European level.

Beyond the academic and educational part, Erasmus+ gave us something just as valuable: human connection. I met amazing people from different cultures, shared stories, food, traditions, and built friendships that go beyond borders. Cultural exchange nights, nature trips, and late-night conversations brought us even closer and made the experience unforgettable.

I left the Czech Republic not only with new knowledge but also with a renewed sense of awareness, empathy, and responsibility as a digital citizen. Erasmus+ is much more than a program — it’s a journey that inspires us to think deeper, connect stronger, and act smarter."

ERASMUS+ 

Το σχέδιο αυτό συγχρηματοδοτήθηκε από το πρόγραμμα Erasmus+ της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.