Media Minds: Critical Thinking and Active Participation in Gen Z is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Deštné v Orlických horách, Czechia, from 22 to 30 November 2026. The open call is for 6 young people aged 18 to 30 from Greece, who will join peers from Czechia, Italy and Poland to explore misinformation, fact-checking, AI and active citizenship. The infopack lists no participation fee, and travel costs are reimbursed up to a set limit. There is no fixed deadline, so apply as soon as possible. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the call and the full infopack, and this guide brings every detail together.
What Is Media Minds About?
Every day we scroll through headlines, videos, posts, memes, comments and messages. Some of them are reliable; others are misleading, manipulated or created to influence us, and it is not always easy to tell the difference.
Media Minds helps young people develop practical tools to navigate this complex information environment. Together, participants learn how to check sources, question content, understand bias and respond responsibly to misinformation.
The project also connects media literacy with active citizenship. Being informed means more than spotting fake news: it means listening respectfully, taking part in public debate and using your voice in a responsible way. If this format is new to you, our guide explains what an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is and how it works.
Who Is Behind the Project?
Media Minds is an international Erasmus+ Youth Exchange coordinated by Generace pro Ukrajinu, z.s. in Czechia, in cooperation with youth organisations from Italy, Poland and Greece. It brings together young people who want to better understand the media environment they live in every day: how information is created, shared and consumed, especially on social media, and how this affects our opinions, choices and participation in society.
Through non-formal education, the organisers create a safe international space where participants can ask questions, exchange experiences, challenge assumptions and learn from one another. The project is co-funded by the European Union.
The Partner Organisations
🇨🇿 Generace pro Ukrajinu (Czechia, coordinator)
🇬🇷 YOUthNited (Greece)
🇮🇹 Otto European Projects (Italy)
🇵🇱 Edukacyjno-Europejska (Poland)
What You Will Explore
🕵️ Misinformation: how misleading and manipulated content spreads
✅ Fact-checking: practical ways to check sources and verify what you see
🤖 Artificial intelligence: how AI shapes the content we consume
💬 Responsible communication: sharing ideas and responding to misinformation responsibly
🗳️ Active citizenship: taking part in public debate and community life
During the exchange the group also looks at propaganda, journalism, European institutions and democratic participation.
How You Will Learn
The exchange uses non-formal education through a varied mix of methods:
🛠️ Workshops
🗣️ Discussions and debates
🎲 Games
🎭 Role-plays and simulations
🎨 Creative tasks
🪞 Daily reflection
Who Can Apply?
The call on this application form is for young people aged 18 to 30 who live in Greece. The infopack describes the right participant as someone who:
📱 Is curious about news, social media and how information spreads
🔎 Wants to learn how to check sources and recognise misleading content
🌍 Is open to listening, sharing ideas and working across cultures
🙌 Is ready to take part in workshops, discussions and group activities
🏡 Would like to share what they learn with others after returning home
Group Size
👥 This call: 6 participants from Greece
🌐 Whole exchange: 24 people in total, 20 participants and 4 team leaders, from Czechia, Italy, Poland and Greece
The Project Timeline
🧭 Preparation: before the exchange, you take part in an online preparatory meeting and receive practical guidance on travel, accommodation, group rules and the activity programme. National groups also prepare for cultural sharing and reflect on media-related topics in their home countries
📚 Implementation: from 22 to 30 November 2026, a full programme of non-formal learning activities on misinformation, fact-checking, propaganda, AI, journalism, European institutions and democratic participation
📣 Dissemination: after returning home, you are encouraged to share your experience and learning outcomes with peers, schools, youth centres or local communities
🏅 Reporting and Youthpass: you reflect on your learning every day, take part in the final evaluation and receive a Youthpass certificate recognising the competences you developed. Learn more in our guide on what Youthpass is
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The Venue: Horská chata Radost
The exchange takes place at Horská chata Radost, Plasnice 124, 517 91 Deštné v Orlických horách, Czech Republic. It is a recreational complex in a peaceful mountain setting in the Orlické Mountains, and during the exchange it is the group's shared space for accommodation, meals, workshops and informal moments together.
🏠 The complex: a main building and eight wooden cottages, available all year round
🚿 Bathrooms: every cottage has its own bathroom facilities
🛏️ Rooms: you are accommodated in rooms for 2 to 4 people
🕓 Check-in: between 16:00 and 17:00
🕤 Check-out: by 09:30
📅 Different arrival or departure: possible only by prior agreement with the accommodation and the organising team
Getting There
⏰ Arrival window: plan to arrive at the venue not before 16:00 and not after 19:00
🚆 From Praha hlavní nádraží (Prague Main Railway Station): take a train towards Hradec Králové
🚌 From Hradec Králové: continue by bus towards Deštné v Orlických horách
🚏 Bus stop: get off at Deštné v Orlických horách, Plasnice
🚶 Last stretch: Chata Radost is about 1 km from the bus stop
Travel Days
There are only two travel days: 22 November and 30 November. You can take two more travel days at your own expense (accommodation and food). If you travel green (carpooling, train or bus), you get an extra two days for the travel and need to fill out the extra statements. Small extras like these are part of the hidden costs of a fully funded project, so plan for them before you book.
Travel Reimbursement Limits
The infopack lists these maximum amounts per person, standard and green travel:
🇬🇷 Greece: €309, or €417 with green travel
🇮🇹 Italy: €309, or €417 with green travel
🇵🇱 Poland: €211, or €285 with green travel
🇨🇿 Czechia: €285 with green travel
🌱 Green travel means travelling by bus, carpooling or train only. Our guides on how Erasmus+ travel reimbursement works and green travel in Erasmus+ and ESC explain where these amounts come from.
Reimbursement Rules
🗺️ Travel plan first: send your travel plan to the organisers by e-mail (address in Links below) and consult with your sending organisation
🧾 Proof of purchase: you must send a plan of your trip and a confirmation of your purchase; otherwise, it may be treated as a cancellation of your participation
🎫 Ticket class: only class II or Economy Class tickets are eligible; taxi and car costs are not reimbursed
🔁 Route: you must travel from and back to the country you represent
✅ Conditions: travel costs are reimbursed on condition that you take part in all activities, within up to 90 days after Generace pro Ukrajinu z.s. receives the results of the project dissemination activities and a complete set of documents, such as travel reimbursement forms and original tickets
🏦 Who gets paid: reimbursement is sent to the sending organisation, not to individuals
What to Bring
🪪 ID card or passport: mandatory
🩺 Insurance: European Health Insurance Card or private insurance
🧴 Towel and toiletries
💻 A laptop or tablet
🎶 Something that represents your culture (a song, food and so on) for the cultural night
📷 A camera, if you take photos: the organisers love capturing memories
How to Apply
Fill in the online application form for participants from Greece, titled Youth Exchange "Media Minds: Critical Thinking and Active Participation in Gen Z". Read the infopack before applying. The host organisation selects the participants. Find more youth exchanges like this in our Erasmus+ listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to Media Minds?
Young people aged 18 to 30 who live in Greece. The application form is for the Greek group of 6 participants.
When and where is the youth exchange?
From 22 to 30 November 2026 at Horská chata Radost in Deštné v Orlických horách, Czechia, in the Orlické Mountains. 22 and 30 November are the travel days.
Is there a participation fee?
The infopack lists no participation fee. Travel costs are reimbursed up to a set limit, and the money goes to your sending organisation, not to you personally.
How much travel money can participants from Greece get back?
Up to €309, or up to €417 if you travel green by bus, carpooling or train.
What topics does the exchange cover?
Misinformation, fact-checking, artificial intelligence, responsible communication and active citizenship, as well as propaganda, journalism, European institutions and democratic participation.
How many people take part in total?
24 people: 20 participants and 4 team leaders from Czechia, Italy, Poland and Greece.
What are the accommodation conditions?
You stay in rooms for 2 to 4 people in a complex with a main building and eight wooden cottages, each with its own bathroom. Check-in is between 16:00 and 17:00 and check-out is by 09:30.
Can I travel earlier or stay longer?
You can take two more travel days at your own expense (accommodation and food). With green travel, you get an extra two days for the travel and fill out extra statements.
Which tickets are reimbursed?
Only class II or Economy Class tickets. Taxi and car costs are not reimbursed, and you must travel from and back to the country you represent.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes. At the end of the mobility you take part in the final evaluation and receive a Youthpass certificate.
What do I need to bring?
An ID card or passport, a European Health Insurance Card or private insurance, a towel and toiletries, a laptop or tablet, and something that represents your culture for the cultural night.
Project Snapshot
📌 Type: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
📍 Location: Horská chata Radost, Deštné v Orlických horách, Czechia
🗓️ Activity Dates: 22-30 November 2026 (22 and 30 November are travel days)
🌍 Countries: Greece
🎂 Age: 18-30
Deadline
⏳ As soon as possible!
Links
📝 Application form (participants from Greece): https://forms.gle/RBBQVFJsdSE23S6QA
📄 Infopack: https://canva.link/mediaminds
🌐 Generace pro Ukrajinu website: https://gen4ua.cz
📧 Contact and travel plan e-mail: filippopiocaio@gmail.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/generation.for.ukraine
