The Erasmus+ project “FOCUS: Fighting Fake News and Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills for Business Opportunities of Unemployed Citizens” officially kicked off with a meeting held in Berlin, Germany, from November 19, 2023, to December 20, 2023. This Erasmus+ KA210-ADU initiative aims to empower unemployed individuals with essential critical thinking skills to identify misinformation and explore entrepreneurial opportunities in today’s digital landscape. The FOCUS project addresses the growing need for media literacy and critical thinking skills in combating fake news. By building participants’ abilities to critically analyze information, the project contributes to a more informed, empowered community, especially among those seeking employment or entrepreneurial paths. This initiative will guide participants toward becoming adept at discerning information quality and fostering innovative business ideas rooted in verified knowledge and social responsibility.
The kick-off meeting brought together the project’s consortium partners, who aligned on project objectives, clarified roles, and established the strategy for upcoming activities. The key participants included:
- Franjo Brkan – Youth Power Germany e.V.
- Slavica Štefanac – POU Auto moto centar Nova Gradiška
- José Paulo Oliveira – OLAE (Organización Latino Americana de Empleo)
- Josip Brozović – Pannonia Consulting d.o.o.
During the two-day session, partners discussed the project’s mission to equip unemployed citizens with valuable skills for recognizing and countering misinformation while promoting critical thinking as a cornerstone for self-employment and business opportunities.
Following the kick-off, the project will advance with activities such as workshops, training modules, and community outreach programs. These actions are designed to make a lasting impact on participants, fostering their engagement in the labor market and encouraging self-sustaining business ideas.
Stay tuned as “FOCUS” progresses, driving forward its mission to enhance critical thinking and fight fake news in communities across Europe.