The HATE-LESS Project in Action: New Insights into Media Literacy

Is your social media feed becoming a maze of disinformation? At HATE-LESS, we are turning the tide by empowering youth with the digital tools they need to navigate the online world safely and confidently.

We are excited to spotlight two new videos produced by our partner, MITRA FRANCE, now available on the official HATE-LESS.EU YouTube channel! These videos provide a great overview of how we are harnessing awareness to end hate speech.

Watch & Learn

The content produced by MITRA FRANCE highlights critical aspects of our mission:

The HATE-LESS Project Presentation: Get an inside look at our mission to build a more diverse and inclusive youth community through media literacy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSq5TIlGQPg 

See the Toolkit in Action: MITRA FRANCE presents the HATE-LESS Toolkit, showing how educators and youth can put media literacy into practice immediately.

https://youtu.be/EJqicUN_45Y 

These videos highlight our collaborative efforts to use technology as a force for good.

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

HATE-LESS Train the Trainer (2/4): Why “Voices from the Margins” Matter

Following our first HATE-LESS Train the Trainer session on Storytelling Through Space, we are continuing the series with a new focus: how interviews can help bring less-heard perspectives into the conversation.

On Thursday, 21 May 2026, the team at Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EAC) invites youth workers, trainers, educators, and facilitators to join the second session of the four-part HATE-LESS Train the Trainer series:

Voices from the Margins – Interview-Based Storytelling

Stories are not only shaped by where they are told, but also by who gets to speak, who is listened to, and how their experiences are represented. In this interactive online session, we will explore how youth workers can guide young people in using interview-based participatory video to listen with care, ask meaningful questions, and create space for perspectives that are too often overlooked.

Rather than speaking for others, the workshop focuses on how to support young people in developing respectful, ethical, and empathetic storytelling practices

Whether you are an educator, youth worker, or activist, this session will help you refine your tools for social justice. Missed the first session? No problem, each workshop is designed to stand alone, though they build a powerful toolkit when combined!

What You Will Explore

During the session, participants will:

• Learn how interview-based storytelling can be used in youth participatory video work
• Explore how to formulate thoughtful questions that invite meaningful responses
• Reflect on how to create safe and respectful spaces for sharing personal perspectives
• Consider how trainers can support young people in representing less-heard voices with care
• Engage with a ready-to-use non-formal training activity that can be adapted for youth work contexts

Why Join?

This session is designed for those who want to help young people become more attentive listeners, more responsible storytellers, and more thoughtful media creators. By making space for diverse experiences and perspectives, participatory video can contribute to more inclusive dialogue – both online and offline.

Each workshop in the HATE-LESS Train the Trainer series can be attended individually, although together they build a broader practical toolkit for youth-centered media literacy and participatory storytelling.

Join us online:

• 📅 Date: 21 May 2026
• ⏰ Time: 17:00-18:30 CET
• 📍Where: Zoom – Join here
• 👉 Sign up: Registration Form
• 🌍 SALTO Details: Event Link

Pre-Workshop Checklist:

To make the most of the session, please have a laptop ready, a recording device (your To make the most of the session, please have a laptop ready, a recording device – your smartphone is perfect), and access to AI tools such as ChatGPT for the interactive exercises.

By helping young people become attentive listeners, thoughtful storytellers, and active media creators, we can foster more inclusive conversations and make space for perspectives that are too often overlooked. We look forward to exploring the stories you will help bring into focus!

We look forward to welcoming you to the second session of the HATE-LESS Train the Trainer series!

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

Project: 2024-1-DE04-KA220-YOU-000244181

Disclaimer: Co-financed by the European Union. The opinions and points of view expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the JUGEND für Europa (German National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth, Erasmus+ Sport and the European Solidarity Corps).

Passing the Mic: Youth Media Laboratories Launch in Cyprus 

Hate speech, disinformation, and polarized narratives are complex issues, but the solution often starts with a simple, powerful step: listening. In the HATE-LESS project, we believe that young people shouldn’t just be taught about media; they should be the ones creating it.

Our partner WAVES (Waves Foundation for Global Education) is currently leading the Youth Media Laboratories in Cyprus, transforming how young people interact with the digital world. These labs are meant to be creative hubs where “media literacy” becomes a practical tool for real-world social change.

A Two-Track Approach to Inclusion

To make sure every voice is heard, WAVES has designed a brilliant dual-track model that meets young people exactly where they are:

• The Deep Dive (Track 1): In youth centers and schools across Cyprus, a group of 25 young people is engaged in an intensive 20-hour journey. Working in small, collaborative clusters, they are using Participatory Video methodology to research, script, and film three major video productions. These videos will be the participants’ own messages to the world.

• The Open Door (Track 2): Inclusion means flexibility. By offering an “Open Call” for shorter sessions, over 40 additional young people have already jumped into the conversation. This ensures that even those with busy schedules can contribute their perspectives and learn the essentials of spotting disinformation.

Why Participatory Video?

At the heart of the HATE-LESS methodology is the belief that active creators are more resilient than passive consumers. Participatory video allows young people to explore sensitive topics like racism or social exclusion through a lens they control. By stepping behind the camera, they become the authors of their own counter-narratives. It turns out that creativity is one of our strongest defenses against the spread of hate online.

What’s Next for HATE-LESS?

The labs in Cyprus are buzzing with energy, and the first co-produced videos are currently in the editing phase. Each one will have its own story, its own questions, and its own unique vision for a more inclusive society.

We are incredibly proud of the 65+ young people who have already stepped up to participate. Stay tuned to our social media channels, as we will be premiering these youth-led videos very soon!

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

Media Literacy and Technology Against Hate Speech: HATE-LESS Toolkit Launches in Ukraine

We are incredibly proud to announce that the HATE-LESS Toolkit has gained significant recognition by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NSJU). Their recent feature highlights that our toolkit “Media Literacy and Technology Against Hate Speech: A Guide to Developing Youth Inclusion” is available in Ukrainian, making these resources accessible to Ukrainian educators, journalists, and youth leaders.

Giving Youth The Tools to Tell Their Own Stories

The core philosophy of the HATE-LESS project is empowerment. As highlighted by the NSJU, the toolkit focuses on helping young people develop counter-narratives that break down stereotypes. In a digital environment where young people are frequently exposed to harmful content, stereotypes, and misleading information, providing them with the technical and ethical skills to tell their own stories is more than media education – it is a way to strengthen confidence, inclusion, and community resilience.

It also encourages them to express their experiences, perspectives, and ideas in their own words.

A Comprehensive 6-Module Journey

The manual, adapted into Ukrainian by Yevhen Tsymbalenko under the guidance of media expert Wolfgang Ressmann, offers a practical path from theory to action through six structured modules:

1. Ethical Foundation: Learning how to create a safe space for discussing sensitive and complex topics.
2. Emotional Algorithms: An analysis of how social networks manipulate feelings and influence behavior.
3. Research Methods: Practical exercises ranging from creating audio diaries to the “Photovoice” method.
4. Participatory Action: Making one’s own voice heard for positive change and co-creating community ethics.
5. Technical Workshop: Expert tips on creating quality videos, conducting interviews, and content promotion.
6. Reflection: Interactive games and exercises are designed to consolidate new skills and lessons.

Why This Matters Now

The manual is based on the combined experiences of six countries (Germany, Estonia, France, Spain, and Cyprus), with each section adapted to allow trainers to adjust exercises to local needs, now also available for Ukrainian audiences. We are honored to contribute a tool that helps build inclusive, technological, and participatory approaches in youth work.

We invite all educators, youth leaders, and media professionals to explore the Ukrainian version of the toolkit and join us in building a more inclusive and resilient digital world.

Read the full NSJU article: bit.ly/HATE-LESSUkranian

Download the Toolkit in Ukrainian: https://bit.ly/4tPFAve

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

Change Compounds: Training the Trainers to Tackle Hate Speech in Cyprus

The “cascade model” is a way to ensure that the seeds of media literacy planted today grow into a forest of critical thinkers tomorrow.

On 20 February 2026, the Cyprus edition of the HATE-LESS Youth Worker Cascade Training officially kicked off. Hosted by the WAVES Foundation for Global Education, this 5-hour intensive workshop brought together 15 dedicated youth workers and educators from across the island to confront one of Europe’s most toxic challenges: the weaponization of disinformation and hate speech.

Why Youth Workers?

In the digital age, youth workers are often the first responders. They are the ones young people turn to when they encounter confusing narratives, racist tropes, or targeted disinformation online. Our goal with HATE-LESS is to ensure these professionals don’t just have an answer, but a methodology.

By providing tools to deconstruct these harmful narratives, we empower educators to transform a moment of conflict into a pedagogical opportunity.

Inside the Workshop

The energy in the room was a testament to the local appetite for these tools. During the session, our participants:

• Dived into the Toolkit: Engaged with the methodological guidelines developed by the HATE-LESS partnership.
• Lights, Camera, Action: Familiarized themselves with participatory video, a powerful pedagogical approach that allows young people to take the mic (and the lens).
• Hands-on Testing: Worked through practical activities designed to strip away the layers of disinformation and racist rhetoric.
• Contextual Adaptation: Reflected on how to bring these global methodologies back to their specific local youth groups.

The Power of the Cascade

What we saw in Cyprus is a signal that the cascade model is working. Media literacy is no longer a “niche” skill; it is recognized as a core competence for modern youth work.

Every single participant expressed a desire to stay connected, proving that when you provide high-quality, actionable resources, the community is ready to catch the fire.

What’s Next?

This workshop was just Phase One. A selection of these newly trained youth workers will now move into the Youth Laboratories. Here, the roles shift: the trainers become facilitators, and young people step into the spotlight to conduct their own research and produce participatory videos on the issues that matter to them.

Real change happens when we empower educators with the right tools and then give young people the space and trust to tell their own stories.

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

Highlights from Wolfgang Ressmann’s Latest TV Talk

In a world increasingly shaped by “hybrid warfare” and polarized narratives, how do we protect the truth? 

Our Consortium Leader, Wolfgang Ressmann (EUROPEAN YOUTH4MEDIA NETWORK EV), recently sat down for an in-depth interview with CIVIL Media to discuss the urgent intersection of media literacy, democratic resilience, and the mission of the HATE-LESS project.

The discussion, conducted between Berlin (Germany) and Skopje (Macedonia), captured a critical moment for Europe’s media landscape. Wolfgang spoke with Xhabir Deralla about the evolving threats of disinformation and how narratives are being weaponized to undermine social cohesion.

The Fight for Truth

During the interview, Wolfgang highlighted that hate speech and disinformation are not merely “online noise, but strategic tools used to destabilize societies. From the Western Balkans to the heart of Europe, the HATE-LESS project stands as a shield against these hybrid threats by empowering the most vulnerable: our youth.

Empowerment Through the HATE-LESS Toolkit

A key takeaway from the talk was that the true adversary isn’t just the hateful voice, but the lack of media literacy. Wolfgang emphasized that our project provides the necessary “critical lens” through its specialized modules. The HATE-LESS Toolkit was presented as a vital resource for:

• Deconstructing Narratives: Understanding how racist and anti-migrant rhetoric is built so that it can be effectively dismantled.
• Media Literacy: Equipping young people with the skills to identify manipulation and verify information in real-time.
• Creating Counter-Narratives: Shifting the focus from passive “fact-checking” to the active creation of positive, inclusive stories that reflect the true diversity of Europe.

A Positive Future for Democratic Resilience 

The tone of the conversation was one of urgent optimism. Wolfgang made it clear that standing with projects like HATE-LESS is an investment in Europe’s democratic future. By providing young creators with the tools to speak up safely and intelligently, we are building a digital environment where empathy and facts defeat fear and hate.

Watch the full interview on CIVIL Media here: https://youtu.be/J5hEpRajKiU

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

The Science of Walking the Talk: How Participation Dissolves Hate

Can a simple 40-minute walk change the way we handle hate speech? It sounds like a bold claim, but the science behind the HATE-LESS hypothesis suggests that the answer is a resounding yes.

At the core of our project is a powerful idea: Participatory action leads to greater empathy. But what does that actually look like in practice? In our latest toolkit update, we dive into Activity 2: The Walking-Talking Activity, a method that moves learning out of the classroom and into the real world.

Why “Participatory Action” Works

Traditional education often asks us to sit and listen. Participatory action asks us to act. When we engage in activities like walking and talking in nature, we aren’t just discussing a problem; we are physically and emotionally shifting our perspective.

Science shows that movement combined with storytelling lowers our natural defensive barriers. By stepping out of a formal setting and into a park or forest, participants enter a “safe container” where trust can grow.

The Power of the Walking-Talking Activity

This isn’t just a stroll; it’s a structured exercise in deep empathy. Here’s how it works:

• The Silent Listen: One person shares their experience with hate speech for 10 minutes while the other listens in complete silence. No interruptions, no judgment.
• The Shared Story: Roles are reversed, giving both peers the rare opportunity to be truly heard.
• Co-Analysis: The final 10 minutes are dedicated to giving advice and finding solutions together.

From Stories to Solutions

When participants “walk the talk,” they develop more than just skills; they build social resilience. By the end of the 40 minutes, the results are clear: 

• Deeper Empathy: It is hard to hold onto bias when you have spent 10 minutes silently holding space for someone’s personal story. 
• Peer Feedback: Solving problems together turns victims into survivors and bystanders into allies. 
• Open-Mindedness: Hearing different experiences in a confidential environment breaks the isolation that hate speech tries to create.

Join the Movement

We believe that when we share our stories in a safe space, hate speech loses its power. That is why we are giving them the tools to actively dismantle it through connection.

Ready to try this with your group? You can find the full “Walking-Talking” guide and more science-backed activities in the HATE-LESS Toolkit: https://hate-less.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hateless-Toolkit.pdf 

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

Stop Policing, Start Participating: Why Co-Creating a Code of Conduct Is the Antidote to Hate Speech

A Featured Activity from the HATE-LESS Toolkit

In traditional education or youth work settings, rules are often established top-down. We are handed a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts,” and our role is simply to follow them. While this might maintain temporary order, it rarely builds a deep sense of responsibility. If we want to genuinely address and prevent hate speech, we have to flip the script.

Hate speech often grows in environments where individuals feel unheard, disconnected, or excluded. This week, we are highlighting a core activity from the HATE-LESS Toolkit that directly targets these root causes. It’s called Activity 1: “Our Values, Our Voice.”

The Problem with Policing Behavior

When we impose rules, we place the responsibility for maintaining order solely on the authority figure. The participants (students, youth, group members) remain passive. If that authority figure isn’t looking, the rules can easily be broken. In this model, discipline often depends on a system of surveillance and punishment. This approach may stop a behavior temporarily, but it doesn’t change the underlying culture.

The Power of Participation: Co-Creation

The “Our Values, Our Voice” activity transforms group dynamics by placing ownership directly in the hands of the participants. It recognizes that responsibility cannot be forced.

Here is why this approach, taken from Module 1 of our methodology, is so powerful:

1. Starts with Individual Values: The activity begins not with a rule, but with a question: “What makes a group feel safe, fair, and respectful for you?” This allows every individual to reflect on their personal needs and voice them, grounding the collective rules in personal reality.
2. Nurtures Multidisciplinary Thinking: It combines social psychology (individual values), organizational design (group statutes), and civic engagement (symbolic affirmation) to create a robust system of shared behavior.
3. Creates a “Shared Covenant”: The final Code of Conduct is not a list of prohibitions. It is an agreement, a promise that everyone in the room has made to each other. When everyone “signs” the document (whether digitally or on a physical poster), they aren’t just agreeing to follow rules; they are committing to a specific way of treating their community members.
4. Agency Displaces Aggression: The feeling of agency (that one’s voice matters and has an impact on the environment) is a critical factor in social psychology. When young people have agency in defining their boundaries, they are far less likely to resort to aggression or hate to assert control.

HATE-LESS: Creating Resilient Communities

At its core, this activity is about building Resilient, Hate-Free Spaces. By investing an hour in co-creating a Code of Conduct, group leaders are making a long-term investment in prevention. They are ensuring that dignity, not discipline, is the foundation of the group.

We encourage all educators, youth workers, and team leaders to try this activity. See for yourself how a shared commitment can transform a group culture from the inside out.

📖 Ready to build ownership in your group? Download the full activity description and the HATE-LESS Toolkit for free here: https://tinyurl.com/muc7xckn 

Extra material: European Commission, The Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online +

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

Youth workers and educators increasingly face the challenge of addressing hate speech, racism, and disinformation with the young people they support. These issues appear both online and offline, shaping how young people interact with information, media, and each other.

The HATE-LESS Toolkit for Youth Workers and Trainers was developed to support professionals who want to engage young people in meaningful conversations about these challenges while building media literacy and civic engagement skills.

The toolkit provides practical activities and participatory learning methods that encourage young people to reflect, collaborate, and develop their own responses to harmful narratives.

Download the toolkit here:
https://hate-less.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hateless-Toolkit.pdf

A Practical Resource for Youth Education

Rather than focusing only on defining hate speech or disinformation, the toolkit takes a practical and action-oriented approach.

It encourages youth workers and trainers to guide participants through activities that strengthen critical thinking, empathy, and digital literacy. Through participatory storytelling and collaborative learning methods, young people are encouraged to analyze online narratives and develop alternative perspectives that promote inclusion and diversity.

The resource is designed to be flexible, allowing educators to adapt activities to the needs of their groups and local contexts.

Six Modules Supporting Participatory Learning

The toolkit is structured around six thematic modules, each focusing on a different aspect of youth engagement and media literacy.

Module 1: Understanding Participants and Shared Values
This module explores group dynamics and introduces discussions about European values, respectful dialogue, and codes of conduct for inclusive learning environments.

Module 2: Emotional Algorithms
Participants explore how social media platforms influence emotions, online behavior, and the spread of radicalizing content.

Module 3: Research and Exploration
This module introduces participatory research activities such as interviews, photo storytelling, soundscape mapping, and youth-led media creation.

Module 4: Foundations of Participatory Action
Young people are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and consider how they can take an active role in addressing harmful narratives in their communities.

Module 5: Creating Participatory Videos
This section provides technical guidance on developing participatory video projects, including storytelling techniques, ethical considerations, and responsible online sharing.

Module 6: Reflection and Learning
Interactive tools and evaluation activities help participants reflect on their learning experiences and discuss the impact of the activities.

From Understanding Hate to Creating Counter-Narratives

One of the key goals of the HATE-LESS toolkit is to move beyond passive learning. Instead of simply identifying harmful narratives, participants are encouraged to create counter-narratives and alternative stories that promote inclusion and respect.

Through digital storytelling, interviews, and collaborative media projects, young people can explore their own perspectives and share experiences that challenge stereotypes and discrimination.

This participatory approach helps young people develop stronger media literacy skills while also building confidence and empathy.

Explore the HATE-LESS Project Results

The toolkit is part of the broader HATE-LESS project, which brings together partners across Europe to strengthen media literacy and civic engagement among young people.

In addition to the training toolkit, the project has also developed methodological guidelines and monitoring tools to support participatory learning initiatives.

Explore all project results:
https://hate-less.eu/results/

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu