The Freedom of Expression and CDMSI Division of the Council of Europe hosted an Expert Workshop on 22–23 May 2025 at the Council of Europe Office in Paris, France, to explore how best to support member states in the design and implementation of national media and information literacy (MIL) strategies and the development of practical indicators.

As part of its current mandate, the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) is preparing a Guidance Document on National MIL Strategies and Practical Indicators, to be delivered by the end of 2025. This document aims to support Council of Europe member states in translating international recommendations into concrete national strategies.

The workshop brought together a group of recognised international experts, CDMSI members, and Council of Europe Secretariat representatives for a one day and a half exchange on how this forthcoming document can best address national needs and implementation realities.

Participants reflected on the scope and core components of comprehensive MIL strategies, and identified key indicators for effective needs-assessment, monitoring and evaluation. Discussions also focused on: the identification of stakeholders and cross-sector partnerships of particular relevance in the coordination and implementation of MIL strategies; the potential ways to overcome the main obstacles hindering the sustainability of MIL strategies as well as the alignment of such strategies with Council of Europe recommendations and other international and national good practices.

The insights gathered during this expert consultation will inform the development of the guidance document and contribute the Council of Europe’s ongoing efforts to advance media and information literacy.