Call for participants!
Are you a young change-maker ready to take on one of the most pressing challenges of our time? Do you want to better understand how extremist narratives spread and how to dismantle them through critical thinking, strong arguments, and digital resilience? Then this activity is for you!
About the Activity
This is the final international activity of IYNF’s 2025 Work Plan Embrace the Best in You! It brings together youth leaders, activists, and change-makers to build strategies against online disinformation and extremism and explore how to communicate democratic values effectively.
This training combines theory and practice in a unique international setting, led by expert trainers from FARN (Fachstelle Radikalisierungsprävention und Engagement im Naturschutz). You’ll work alongside participants from across Europe to analyze real-life challenges and co-create solutions.
🗓 5 – 10 October 2025
📍 Mihajlovo, North Macedonia
📣 Organized by IYNF with thes support of FARN
Objectives
- to understand extremism and to be able to decode extremist statements
- to understand disinformation and other threats of digital engagement
- to define basics of crisis communication in online spaces like social media, blogs and other interactive platforms
By the end of the training, you will:
- Gain insight into how extremist and disinformative content influences society and youth
- Learn tools to critically analyze online content and spot manipulative narratives
- Practice argumentation and digital engagement strategies in simulations and group tasks
- Co-develop Argumentation Cards – a practical tool for educators and activists to respond to problematic statements in real life and online
Who can join?
- Young people (16 – 30) active in youth organizations, activism, or political engagement. A few exceptions for participants aged 30+ allowed when justified.
- Youth workers and trainers eager to strengthen their capacity to tackle extremism and disinformation.
- Participants from Council of Europe member states. Priority will be given to previous participants of the IYNF 2025 learning cycle, however the activity is open to newcomers as well!
Practical Info
- Dates: 6 – 11 October 2025
- Location: Mihajlovo, North Macedonia
- Costs: Participation fee 50€ for members and 75€ – 100€ for non-members (in case of economic constraint, there is a possibility of fee reduction or waiver as the solidarity principle applies). Accommodation and meals are fully covered.
- Food: vegetarian or vegan according to IYNF’s sustainability policy
- Travel: Travel costs will be reimbursed upon full participation according to IYNF guidelines.. As part of our commitment to sustainability, all participants will be expected to use green travel options (train, bus, etc.). Flights will be approved only when necessary. Shuttle trasfer from Skopje and Thesaloniki will be arranged.
How to Apply
Apply HERE by 24th August 2025. Tell us about your motivation, your experience, and what you hope to gain from this training.
This training is funded by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe and the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.
