YOUTH EMPOWERMENT | DIGITAL LITERACY | GENERATIVE AI | ERASMUS+
Hate speech and online disinformation are no longer distant threats — they are daily realities for millions of young people navigating digital spaces. From social media platforms to messaging apps and comment sections, harmful narratives spread faster than ever before. Addressing this challenge requires more than awareness: it demands innovation, collaboration, and the strategic use of emerging technologies.
That is exactly why our organisation — alongside committed international partners — is investing in an ambitious project at the crossroads of education, youth empowerment, and artificial intelligence. Our mission: to strengthen young people’s critical thinking and equip youth workers and NGOs with innovative tools to tackle hate speech and online disinformation head-on.
According to recent European studies, a significant proportion of young people aged 15–24 encounter hate speech online on a regular basis. Whether it targets race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation, hate speech carries real psychological and social consequences — eroding trust, fuelling division, and, in the most serious cases, inciting violence.
Meanwhile, youth workers and NGOs on the front lines often lack the resources, training, or technological support needed to respond effectively. This is the gap our project aims to bridge.
Generative artificial intelligence — the family of technologies behind tools like large language models and intelligent content analysers — is reshaping how we detect, understand, and respond to harmful content online. When thoughtfully applied in educational and civic contexts, AI can become a powerful ally for young people and the professionals who support them.
Here is how:
AI-powered moderation tools can scan large volumes of text, images, and video at speeds no human team could match. These systems can flag potential hate speech, disinformation, or manipulative rhetoric in real time — giving platforms and moderators a critical head start. When integrated into educational tools, they can even help young people recognise the patterns of harmful language themselves.
Some of the most promising AI applications in this space are interactive. Through simulated conversations, scenario-based learning modules, and AI-generated case studies, young people can practise identifying disinformation, deconstructing propaganda techniques, and formulating counter-narratives — all in a safe, low-stakes environment. This experiential approach deepens understanding far more effectively than passive consumption of information.
AI can also serve as a productivity multiplier for the professionals working closest to young people. Intelligent assistants can help youth workers quickly access research, generate tailored workshop materials, translate resources across languages, or identify trends in online radicalisation. This frees up valuable time and energy for the human connection at the heart of youth work.
Media literacy is one of the most effective long-term defences against disinformation. AI tools can assist young people in verifying sources, cross-referencing claims, and tracing the origins of viral content. By making these skills accessible and engaging, we can help build a generation of digitally resilient citizens.
This initiative is proudly supported under the Erasmus+ programme, bringing together a consortium of dedicated organisations from across Europe. Our partnership reflects a shared conviction: that fighting hate speech is not the responsibility of any single country, organisation, or technology — it is a collective effort.
Our project is built around three core pillars:
The fight against hate speech is not a battle that can be won by technology alone. It requires human courage, solidarity, and the willingness to engage — even when conversations are uncomfortable. But with the right tools, training, and partnerships, we believe young people and the organisations that support them can become a formidable force for change.
Follow us on our channels to stay informed about our upcoming activities, tools, and events. Together, we can build a more inclusive, informed, and resilient digital society.
#GenerativeAI • #YouthEmpowerment • #AgainstHateSpeech • #MediaLiteracy • #ErasmusPlus
The consortium is comprised of: Caleidoscopio Association – Italy (Coordinator), AVEC – France, EUROMED EVE – Belgium, EUROMED EVE – Tunisia, EUROMED EVE – Morocco, Jordan Youth Innovation Forum (JYIF) – Jordan
