How do media, algorithms and artificial intelligence shape our understanding of the world? How can young people respond to disinformation, hate speech and digital rights challenges while actively participating in democratic life?

The North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, in partnership with the European Youth Press, the Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities of the University of Helsinki, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and UNESCO invites young people to apply for the HEY online training course on Media and Information Literacy (MIL), implemented under iLEGEND III, a Joint Programme co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe.

In March, a hundred participants will take part in a four-week interactive online training combining human rights education, global education and digital citizenship. Through practical activities, discussions and group work, the course will strengthen participants’ critical understanding of media and digital environments, promote democratic participation, and equip them with the capacity to act as multipliers, spreading Media and Information Literacy practices within their communities and organisations.

The course lengths is approximately thirty hours, supported by tutors, and open to young people aged between eighteen and thirty years old from Council of Europe member States (with priority given to North-South Centre member states), as well as from Africa and the Middle East. The course will be delivered both in English and in French.

Upon completion, the participants receive a certificate and may be invited by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe for follow-up activities.

During the 2025 edition, the 39 participants on 76 who completed the post-course evaluation rated the course 8.8 out of 10 in terms of how well it met their expectations. Moreover, 70% of respondents to the three-month follow-up evaluation reported that they had already implemented, or were planning to implement, follow-up activities inspired by the course.

 Apply by 22 February 2026 to be part of the second edition of the HEY online training course on Media and Information Literacy.

 For more information about the course journey, eligibility criteria, application and selection processes, visit the webpage.

The course benefits also from the contributions of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe member states.