Project Completion “Y-MEDIA”: 4 Districts, 300 Young People, One Shared Goal – Information Resilience through Critical Thinking and Media Literacy

The project “Y-MEDIA – Youth Empowerment through Digital Integration and Media Awareness”, implemented by the Regional Community Development Center (CRDC), has successfully reached its final stage, marking a significant contribution to media literacy and the development of critical thinking among young people in southern Moldova.

Over a six-month period, the project strengthened its impact through the Documentary Film Caravan, organized in the localities of Cahul, Leova, Tigheci, Cantemir, Colibași, Giurgiulești, Hîrtop, Crihana Veche, and Alexandru Ioan Cuza, engaging approximately 300 participants. In total, throughout the project implementation, the caravan was carried out in four districts: Cahul, Cantemir, Leova, and Taraclia.

This activity served as an educational and awareness-raising platform, offering participants the opportunity to critically analyze and openly discuss the dangers of disinformation and the importance of civic engagement. The discussions following the screenings reflected young people’s growing interest in the topic and their willingness to become actively involved in their communities.

One of the core components of the project was the Digital Media Literacy Lab—an intensive media education workshop where 14 young women and men were empowered to critically analyze information, identify manipulation in the public space, and create responsible content. Following the workshop, three female participants completed internships at the local news portal ziuadeazi.md, where they had the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice.

The articles written during the internships addressed relevant and timely topics such as disinformation related to Moldova’s EU accession, critical and environmental education, protection against manipulation and disinformation at the local level, and the role of social media in spreading fake news.

The collaboration with ziuadeazi.md—the most well-known local media outlet, recognized for its integrity and professionalism—provided participants with valuable hands-on experience, enabling them to become active voices in their communities and to contribute directly to raising awareness about disinformation risks and promoting accurate information.

Alexandra Buzilă, a participant in the project, stated:
“During my internship at ziuadeazi, I learned a great deal about journalism and how to recognize and combat disinformation. With the support of experienced journalists, I learned how to write articles analyzing citizens’ perceptions of fake news and other relevant topics. This experience helped me understand how important it is to verify sources and, as a journalist, to present facts accurately and without distortion. I thank the organizers for this opportunity to develop my writing skills and the specialists for their support and guidance in applying the knowledge in practice.”