Thirty young people and youth leaders active in rural youth organisations from across Europe came together in Budapest for the study session “From Scroll to Action: Media Literacy for Rural Youth Empowerment” between 9 and 13 March. Co-organised by the Rural Youth Europe and the Council of Europe Youth Department, the study session aims to strengthen their capacities to respond to current challenges related to media literacy and democratic participation in rural contexts.
The programme combines expert inputs, interactive workshops, experiential learning activities, and peer exchange. Through non-formal education methods, participants explore media literacy as a tool for youth empowerment, democratic participation, and resilience in rural areas, while addressing transversal themes such as inclusion, accessibility, and participation in democratic life.
During the first days of the programme, participants explored how rural youth consume media and discussed the barriers and challenges related to information access in rural areas. Sessions focused on understanding misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, as well as examining how digital media influences political narratives and democratic processes. Participants also analysed how data and algorithms shape online information environments and influence the content users encounter.
Reflecting on the importance of the topic for rural youth organisations, one participant noted:
“Media literacy is important for our organisation because it helps members spot misinformation and share accurate stories about farming and our rural lives online. We need more training to help young farmers confidently understand media and communicate their experiences clearly and effectively”, said- Ruth from Northern Ireland.
The programme also explored how media and storytelling can be used for positive change, particularly how rural youth can use digital platforms and tools such as podcasting to amplify their voices and challenge stereotypes about rural communities.
Highlighting the broader significance of the study session, another participant emphasised the role of young people in protecting democratic processes:
“There's responsibility on all of us to counter disinformation and misinformation to make sure that our rural communities are equipped to engage constructively with democracy at all levels. I hope this study session will empower young members of our organisation to ensure their voices are heard by decision-makers”, concluded Tomos from Wales.
The study session continues with activities focused on advocacy and policy engagement, where participants will develop policy recommendations aimed at strengthening media literacy and democratic participation among rural youth.
For more information, visit the dedicated webpage.
