Almost a month ago, we met in Barcelona with partners of the CADiDE project (Senior Citizens Against Disinformation and Stereotypes for a Democratic and Diverse Europe), which aims to empower older adults (65+) to play an active role in countering disinformation and strengthening democratic values. The two-year project, co-funded by the European Union under the CERV programme, brings together organizations from Spain, the Czech Republic, and Italy to educate, mobilize, and engage seniors as community actors.
During the two-day meeting, partners aligned on the project’s goals, timeline, and key activities. Beyond planning, the discussions focused on sharing experiences and identifying potential risks—an essential step for effective cross-country collaboration. A highlight of the meeting was a focus group with senior participants, which provided valuable insights into their real-life experiences with disinformation and stereotypes.
The meeting also created space to connect different approaches—from fact-checking to emotional storytelling and the Antirumours methodology—laying the groundwork for a shared methodology. Bringing the consortium together in person at the start of the project proved crucial for building trust, establishing a common understanding, and setting up strong cooperation for the months ahead.
If your organization is interested in the topic or would like to learn more about the project, feel free to get in touch with the project coordinator at katerina.lukanicova@tol.org.