In August 2024, Zagreb, Croatia, became the center of an important transnational meeting for the KA210-ADU project, “Fighting Fake News and Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills for Business Opportunities of Unemployed Citizens.” Held on the 26th and 27th of August, this gathering brought together key partners to evaluate the progress of the project and strategize for its future. The meeting played a crucial role in aligning all participants on the next steps of this vital initiative aimed at empowering unemployed individuals.
The first day of the meeting began with opening remarks and a review of the project’s goals. Representatives from Pannonia Consulting, POU AMC, Youth Power, and OLAE were in attendance, while some, like Franjo Brkan from Youth Power, joined online. Together, they revisited the project’s core objective: to equip unemployed citizens with critical thinking skills that will help them counter fake news and seize business opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
Following the initial session, the participants engaged in a detailed evaluation of the milestones reached thus far. They discussed both the successes and the challenges encountered, ensuring that the project remains on track to achieve its intended outcomes.
One of the highlights of the day was the exchange of best practices among the partners. This session facilitated a rich dialogue, allowing participants to share insights from their respective organizations and regions. By learning from each other’s experiences, the team strengthened its collective knowledge and identified new strategies to implement moving forward.
The afternoon session was dedicated to joint planning. A key element of this was the presentation of the training manual, including its finalized content and design. The manual, designed to improve critical thinking skills and fight misinformation, was a major output of the day. The group also discussed the process for selecting trainers and participants, critical to the success of the upcoming training programs.
The second day of the meeting shifted the focus to the development of the project’s digital tool, which will play a central role in delivering the program’s training and educational content. In a workshop led by Josip Brozović of Pannonia Consulting, participants explored the usability and accessibility of the tool. These discussions were crucial in ensuring that the platform meets the needs of the program’s target audience: unemployed adults seeking to enhance their critical thinking and business skills.
After refining the tool’s features, the group turned its attention to pilot testing. This phase of the project will involve local test trainings with unemployed adults, providing valuable feedback on how the digital tool functions in real-world settings. Participants agreed on the importance of collecting and analyzing this feedback to make any necessary adjustments before the tool is fully rolled out.
As the meeting concluded, several important decisions were made to guide the next phases of the project. These included finalizing the design of the digital repository and confirming the dates for upcoming key events. Training sessions for trainers will be held in Croatia from December 15th to 21st, 2024, while an online conference is scheduled for January 16th, 2025. The partners also planned multiplier events, which will aim to extend the project’s impact by sharing its results with a wider audience.
The transnational meeting in Zagreb was a pivotal moment for the KA210-ADU project. By bringing together the project’s partners to reflect on progress, share insights, and plan future activities, the meeting strengthened the collective effort to empower unemployed citizens. Through improved critical thinking skills and a better understanding of how to combat fake news, participants will be better equipped to seize new business opportunities in the modern economy.
As the project moves forward, the outcomes of this meeting will serve as a foundation for continued success. The team remains committed to delivering meaningful impact through their work, ensuring that unemployed individuals are given the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events and project developments as the KA210-ADU initiative progresses toward its goals.