Political polarisation at its peak

The consortium's key meeting took place in the vibrant city of Zagreb. marking a significant milestone in Project DEUS's journey. The primary objective of the assembly was to deliberate upon the first draft of the DEUS research report, a cornerstone in the fight against disinformation. Furthermore, the consortium members also charted the course for future EU-wide events.

The meeting was attended by IDEA representatives and other consortium partners. Together, we reviewed the comprehensive research conducted to understand the prevalent disinformation strategies among young EU citizens. The draft report provided an insightful overview of these strategies and the misconceptions surrounding the EU's core values and the ever rising tide of disinformation and polarisation.

Participants actively contributed to the discussion, highlighting areas of refinement and suggesting in-depth analyses to enhance the report's clarity and effectiveness. The group agreed to incorporate these recommendations in the final draft, thus ensuring a robust and comprehensive research report.

The session on planning future EU-wide events was equally engaging. There was an agreement to roll out a series of 'depolarization workshops' aimed at young citizens, with special emphasis on adapting the messaging to suit local contexts. The consortium members also discussed the upcoming 'Train the Trainer' program, which will equip trainers to disseminate the depolarization narrative effectively.

Moreover, the meeting laid the groundwork for a significant events in Prague and Bratislava over the summer, designed to kick-start the educational interventions in Autum. Additional online initiatives and targeted messaging campaigns were also on the agenda, aiming to support increased voter turnout in the lead-up to the EU 2024 Parliamentary Elections.

In conclusion, the meeting in Zagreb marked a significant step forward in Project DEUS.

Project DEUS is co-funded through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.