An international educational project that teaches adults – especially seniors and people with low digital skills – how to recognise disinformation, verify content and use social media safely.
Social media have become the main source of information for many people, yet their algorithms often promote manipulative content. The MediaSmart project responds to the growing need for media education among adults who lack sufficient skills in content analysis, privacy protection and responsible participation in the digital space.
The project provides tools for identifying fake news, deepfakes and media manipulation. It combines digital, social and media education, and all materials developed will remain openly available (Open Educational Resources) after the project ends.
Participants learn to assess the reliability of sources, detect manipulation and recognise propaganda mechanisms.
Conscious use of content-verification tools and protection of privacy and personal data online.
Workshops and exercises that strengthen social resilience to fake news and information manipulation.
Promoting ethical standards of online communication and responsible sharing of information.
Main priority
ADU: Improving the availability of high quality, flexible and recognised learning for adults.
Additional priorities
Topics
The project is implemented in four consecutive activities (A1–A4). Each has a lead organisation, its own schedule and a budget within the total lump sum of €60,000.
Diagnostic research (surveys and focus-group interviews) in the partner countries with at least 120 representatives of the target groups, expert analysis of disinformation trends and identification of good practices in adult media education. Results are discussed at an international partner meeting.
Results
Development of a comprehensive training and workshop programme based on the A1 report. Interactive educational materials, a trainer's handbook (micro-learning, gamification), an international Train the Trainers course in Athens for 20 educators, and pilot workshops in each partner country.
Results
Creation of practical, easy-to-use tools that support adults in verifying content: the “MediaVerifier” web application and the “Fact-checking Toolkit”. International workshops for educators in Kastamonu, focus-group testing, local educational events, webinars and a research report on the impact of disinformation.
Results
Maximising the project's impact: an international final conference in Warsaw, a series of webinars, a social media campaign, an online platform aggregating all project results and a strategy for using the results after funding ends.
Results
Erasmus+ lump sum of €60,000 divided between the four activities.
Two years of work – from needs analysis, through training and tool development, to dissemination of results. Activity dates may be updated during implementation.
Launch of the MediaSmart partnership.
Surveys in Poland, Greece and Türkiye, expert analysis, international partner meeting, analytical report.
Educational materials, trainer's handbook, Train the Trainers in Athens, pilot workshops in 4 countries, e-learning course.
Presentation of the A1 report findings, the A2 and A3 concepts, the dissemination plan and selection of the project logo.
“MediaVerifier” app, “Fact-checking Toolkit”, workshops in Kastamonu, focus-group testing, webinars, research report.
Final conference in Warsaw, webinars, social media campaign, results platform, cooperation agreements.
Results remain available as Open Educational Resources for at least 3 years.
The partnership brings together organisations with complementary strengths: experience in education and safety, innovative teaching methods, scientific research, and dissemination and e-learning.
Warsaw, Poland · Polish Volunteer Water Rescue Service – a non-profit NGO and national sports federation with over 60 years of history. Specialises in safety, education and prevention for all age groups. In the project: management, coordination, the A1 report, educational materials and training for educators.
www.zgwopr.plAthens, Greece · 15 years of experience in adult education and work with vulnerable groups. Designs training programmes at various EQF levels, promotes digital literacy (DigComp) and innovative methods: micro-learning, gamification and online learning. In the project: training programme, trainer's handbook, Train the Trainers in Athens.
www.drosostalida.orgKastamonu, Türkiye · public higher-education institution (15 faculties, 3 institutes, 13 vocational schools) holding the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. Delivers digital-skills training for seniors and people at risk of exclusion and conducts research on disinformation. In the project: research, the “MediaVerifier” tool, the “Fact-checking Toolkit”, workshops in Kastamonu.
www.kastamonu.edu.tr
Warsaw, Poland · Foundation for the Development of Education – 12 years of experience in managing educational projects, including European ones (e.g. PROGREEN, “Get digitally active! – SENIOR on 6.0”). Specialises in e-learning platforms and work with disadvantaged groups. In the project: dissemination, e-learning platform, sustainability strategy, final conference.
www.fwre.plA lasting increase in adults' media and digital literacy, open educational tools, and a network of trained educators and multipliers who will continue the work after funding ends.
The diagnostic survey covered 135 adults from Poland, Greece and Türkiye. The findings confirm a gap between awareness of threats and the practical skills needed to protect against them.
Most requested training topics: recognising online scams, safe smartphone use, online banking and shopping, fake news. Preferred formats: face-to-face workshops, instructional videos and group meetings.
Updates from activities, partner meetings and publication of results.
The MediaSmart partners met at the WOPR headquarters. The meeting covered the findings of the educational needs report (A1), the Train the Trainers programme in Athens (A2), the concept of the “MediaVerifier” app and “Fact-checking Toolkit” (A3), and the dissemination plan and sustainability strategy (A4). The project logo was also approved.
The report “Media Smart – A Conscious Social Media User” has been published – a cross-country survey on media literacy, online safety and disinformation among adults in Poland, Greece and Türkiye. It includes recommendations for the training programme and educational materials, including those for older adults. Available under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
On 1 September 2025 the Erasmus+ KA210-ADU partnership “MediaSmart: An Aware Social Media Consumer” began. Over 24 months, four organisations from Poland, Greece and Türkiye will develop adults' media literacy. The first step is research into educational needs in the partner countries.
Would you like to take part in training, start a cooperation or receive project materials? Use the form or contact us directly.