Tirana – The EU-funded Western Balkans Youth Lab 2 (WBYL2) project implemented by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) officially launched its Regional Youth Policy Lab on Media Literacy and Disinformation, at the event held on 18-20 November 2025 in Tirana.

The Kick-Off Conference marks the official start of a fresh youth-led policy process in the region, focusing on the challenge of tackling disinformation and strengthening media literacy across the Western Balkans Six. The topic was selected by young people, reflecting their recognition of the need to address misinformation and promote critical thinking and media literacy as key elements of democratic participation and social resilience. According to the RCC’s SecuriMeter survey 2024, the biggest sources of misinformation are online anonymous social networks (43%), followed by social media influencers (35%), highlighting why empowering youth in this area is more crucial than ever.

“Disinformation isn’t just an online problem, it influences decisions, trust in governments, and even personal safety. Young people, being the most connected and active online, are on the front lines. Media and digital literacy is essential, equipping them with the tools for informed participation, critical thinking, and resilience in our complex digital world,” said Danijela Gačević, Head of Programme Department at the RCC during her opening remarks. “Tackling this challenge collectively and enhancing alignment with EU acquis and standards will be crucial,” added Nicolas Vuitton, Programme Manager at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST).

Besides Gačević, the opening session moderated by Ognjen Marković, Team Leader of the WBYL project, gathered distinguished speakers, including Nicolas Vuitton from DG ENEST; Kreshnik Loka, Deputy Secretary General of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO); and Olta Shehu, Young European Ambassador.

During the three-day event, participants engaged in interactive discussions, exchanges, and collaborative activities. They took part in a multicultural audio-visual experience highlighting the importance of media literacy and worked together to develop regional recommendations that will guide their next year and a half of work. The recommendations are organised around three key themes: Media and Information Literacy; Hate Speech, Discrimination and Cyberbullying; and Youth in Media, which will set the base when developing policy solutions across the Western Balkans Six.

This Youth Policy Lab on Media Literacy and Disinformation is the third in a series of Youth Policy Labs successfully implemented by the RCC. The first three Labs focused on Youth Unemployment, Mental Health, and the Green Agenda, each providing tangible tools for youth engagement and policy development.

The process will continue intensively, with two more planned milestones, Mid-Term and Final Conference, ultimately aiming to lead to the implementation of concrete policies, recommendations, and youth-led initiatives across all Western Balkans Six.

Day before, WBYL 2 co-organised a Fireside Talk with high-level officials in an open exchange with youth participants. The speakers discussed the Growth Plan and the role of young people in shaping and implementing policies, highlighting the importance of meaningful youth participation in advancing the Common Regional Market.

The Western Balkans Youth Lab 2 (WB Youth Lab 2) is an EU-funded, RCC-led initiative that promotes a sustained and structured regional dialogue between young people and policy-makers. Its purpose is to co-create policies that strengthen youth participation in public decision-making and contribute to a more enabling socio-economic environment for young people across the Western Balkans.

More on the project - https://www.rcc.int/youthlab.