The First Phase of the Project “Empowering Youth and Independent Media for Democratic Engagement in Georgia” Successfully Completed

The project aimed to strengthen both the professional development of regional media and media literacy, as well as active citizenship among young people. It was implemented successfully and included a wide range of educational activities.

Within the framework of the project, a series of training sessions was conducted for representatives of regional media, focusing on key issues in modern journalism. Participants gained knowledge and practical skills in multimedia journalism and digital storytelling, including identifying disinformation and fact-checking, as well as utilizing artificial intelligence and new technologies in professional practice. These trainings contributed to the creation of high-quality, credible, and innovative content in regional media.

Another important component of the project focused on working with young people. In cooperation with youth-oriented organizations, workshops were held in the regions of Kvemo-Kartli, Shida-Kartli, and Samtskhe-Javakheti, helping young participants develop critical thinking, civic engagement, and an understanding of democratic values. In total, more than 145 young people attended the workshops. The topics covered are media literacy, civic journalism, active citizenship, democratic principles, and the socio-economic benefits and opportunities of European Union integration.

Particularly noteworthy was a workshop on active citizenship led by Czech expert Ivana Bursíková, former head of the organization Agora. Her experience and practical examples enabled participants to better understand the role of citizens in a democratic society and the importance of their engagement at both local and national levels.

According to the project manager, the implemented activities brought significant benefits to young people living in the target communities. “The project clearly demonstrated how great the need is to strengthen both media representatives and young people with new knowledge and skills, especially in regions populated by ethnic minorities, where such opportunities are quite limited,” said Teona Purtskhvanidze. She also noted that the format of the training and workshops in local CSOs created a safe and interactive space where participants could share experiences and work on new ideas. The project manager emphasized the involvement of Czech expert Ivana Bursíková, which added extra value to the project and provided participants with an opportunity to learn from the Czech experience.

Young participants also shared their reflections on the workshops. “The project gave me not only new knowledge but also new perspectives. I realized how important it is to look analytically at everything I see and read. Now I understand that social media is not just a space for entertainment - every word, post, and action there is reflected in our real lives,” said project participant Liza Chaduneli.

Another participant, David Dvalishvili, noted that being an active citizen means being more engaged in community activities, working in teams, taking initiative, and participating in volunteer activities. “Change starts with you,” he emphasized.

Overall, the project made a significant contribution to strengthening media literacy, critical thinking, and active citizenship. The achieved results provide a solid foundation for the continuation and further development of similar initiatives in the future, contributing to the formation of an informed and responsible society.