The Truth Bridge youth exchange brought together young people from Estonia and Türkiye for nine days in Istanbul, exploring how truth, perception, and media shape modern society. Organized by StartIDA MTÜ and funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, the project focused on media literacy, critical thinking, and intercultural understanding.
What We Did
Through a range of non-formal learning activities, participants learned to recognize fake news, analyze information critically, and understand how emotions and culture influence communication. Activities included:
- Workshops and debates on media manipulation, emotional influence, and the role of social media.
- Survey research on fake-news awareness followed by group analysis and presentations.
- Creative sessions on digital storytelling and personal branding.
- Collaborative games and reflections designed by participants themselves.
Each country was represented by 10 participants and 2 group leaders, with six young people coming from fewer-opportunity backgrounds. All participants received a Youthpass certificate, formally recognizing their learning achievements.
Results and Impact
The project had a significant impact at both the personal and community level:
- Participants improved their media-literacy and critical-thinking skills, becoming more confident in spotting misinformation.
- They enhanced teamwork, communication, and English-language skills, preparing them for future studies and employment.
- The exchange deepened cultural understanding and built lasting friendships between Estonian and Turkish youth.
- Partner organisations gained new facilitation experience and strengthened cooperation for future Erasmus+ projects.
“Truth Bridge helped young people realize that truth is not only about facts – it’s about understanding each other,” said Alexander Bitskov, project coordinator at StartIDA MTÜ.
Moving Forward
The success of Truth Bridge reinforced StartIDA’s commitment to empowering youth through education, creativity, and responsible media engagement. The experience in Istanbul inspired new ideas for future projects promoting critical awareness, intercultural dialogue, and informed citizenship.
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