The “Prop@genda” Youth Exchange (development of an agenda against political propaganda in social media), which took place in Thessaloniki in 2019, brought together 35 young participants from 6 European Union countries (Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Sweden). The main goal of the project was to raise awareness about political propaganda in social media and to explore ways to recognize, address, and avoid it.
Through non-formal education activities and artistic workshops, participants explored and analyzed existing forms of political propaganda in social networks, examining their impact on contemporary societies. At the same time, they strengthened their European identity, engaged in intercultural dialogue, and worked towards breaking stereotypes and prejudices related to propaganda across different European contexts.
During the project, participants took part in social experiments, art workshops, and training sessions on social media. As a final outcome, they created an awareness-raising video aimed at combating political propaganda, accompanied by promotional material and a flash mob activity in the city center, which was documented audiovisually. Their work was presented during a public event in Thessaloniki, organized by United Societies of Balkans.
In terms of learning outcomes, participants gained practical knowledge about the concept and history of propaganda, as well as its representation in art and its role in political life. They developed the ability to recognize and critically assess propaganda and became familiar with the concept of fake news, understanding its influence on public opinion and electoral processes. Additionally, they were trained in the use of social media, political communication, and campaign development, acquiring tools for responsible and active participation in public discourse.