Young People Lead the Fight Against Disinformation in Moldova

Over 240 young people from the Republic of Moldova – high school students, university students, and young professionals – have been trained in media literacy and disinformation prevention as part of a project financially supported by the European Union and implemented by the Foreign Policy Association (APE) in partnership with People in Need Moldova.

The initiative is part of the Moldova ASSIST: Improving Access to Quality Public Services and Strengthening Social Cohesion project, through which the European Union invests in democratic resilience and youth education, providing them with concrete tools to counter information manipulation.

The young participants attended training sessions and interactive seminars organised both in Chișinău and across various regions of the country. These activities provided them with opportunities to understand how disinformation mechanisms work and how to become critical consumers of information. Guided by journalists and experts in communication and information security, participants were encouraged to question content, analyse it thoroughly, and think critically.

"Through this project, we managed to enhance young people’s critical thinking and equip them with practical tools to resist disinformation. Their active engagement shows that Moldova's youth are ready to contribute to strengthening democracy and the country’s European path,"

said Natalia Stercul, Executive Director of APE.

The activities were carried out in collaboration with media institutions and organisations such as NordNews, Zona de Securitate.md, TV8, WatchDog, the NATO Information and Documentation Centre, IDIS “Viitorul”, and the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, providing a dynamic and high-quality educational framework.

"Civic engagement is not just an abstract concept – it is built through every small action, every gesture of solidarity and involvement,"

said Nadejda Pascaru-Botnaru, Programme Manager at People in Need Moldova.

"Education is the foundation of any progressive and democratic society, and projects like this one contribute significantly to shaping a more responsible and engaged future generation."

Thematic quiz games, case study presentations, and Q&A sessions sparked great interest among the participants, with the most active young people being awarded for their involvement.

Invited experts also emphasised the need to integrate media education into the school curriculum and to promote critical thinking as an essential skill for the younger generation.

"Disinformation is a real threat to democracy. We need young people who can tell the difference between information and manipulation,"

warned Ion Tăbârță, Executive Director of the NATO Information and Documentation Centre.

Similarly, Andrei Curăraru, Policy and Security Expert from WatchDog, highlighted successful models from countries like Finland and Estonia that could be adapted to the Moldovan context. Meanwhile, Viorica Țîcu, from the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, stressed the role of young people as “ambassadors of critical thinking,” especially within local communities.

This activity was implemented by the Foreign Policy Association (APE) in partnership with People in Need Moldova, within the framework of the “Moldova ASSIST” project. It was funded by the European Union.