EU-DEM – Fact-Checking Training & Competition

The EU-DEM Fact-Checking Training & Competition was held on November 20th 2025 in Nyiregyhaza as part of the EU-DEM project and brought together more than 40 participants, mainly high-school and university students from the region, along with several local youth workers. The purpose of the event was to strengthen participants’ media literacy skills, introduce practical fact-checking methods, and provide an opportunity to apply these techniques in an engaging and interactive format.

The session began with a short introduction to the basic principles of fact-checking, covering key steps individuals can use to verify claims, assess sources, and navigate misleading online content. While many students were already somewhat aware of misinformation, the structured overview clarified terminology and offered a practical framework applicable to their everyday digital interactions.

Workshop flow

To deepen understanding, participants were divided into small groups for a collaborative task focused on applying the newly learned methods. The activity intentionally centred on non-political topics in order to avoid polarisation and create a safe, open learning environment. Examples were drawn from science, history, popular culture, and everyday social media claims.

These neutral, curiosity-driven topics proved highly effective. Participants felt more relaxed, asked more questions, and engaged more confidently with the methodology. Several groups expressed that working with non-political content made the exercise both more enjoyable and less stressful.

The event then continued with a smartphone-based online fact-checking competition, which became the highlight of the programme. Using an interactive quiz platform, participants responded to timed questions based on real misinformation examples. They were required to assess sources, identify manipulation techniques, and select appropriate verification methods.

The competitive and gamified format created a lively atmosphere. Instant scoring fostered excitement and a sense of achievement. Many students noted that the dynamic setup demonstrated how quickly misleading content can spread and how important it is to verify information rapidly and critically.

Results and impact

The event was very well received. Participants particularly appreciated the practical, hands-on approach and the opportunity to test their knowledge in a playful, low-pressure environment. Several students highlighted that the scientific and historical examples helped them understand fact-checking as a universal skill, not limited to political discourse.

Youth workers present emphasised that the combination of group collaboration, real-life examples, and gamification provided effective tools that can be integrated into their own activities.

The session successfully achieved its objectives of promoting active learning, enhancing media literacy, and empowering young people to critically evaluate information. It also strengthened the connection between local youth and the wider goals of the project, demonstrating that fact-checking can be accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyday life.