Call for Participants: Facts For Future: countering climate disinformation in youth work – Training course
Date: 9th April to 15th April, 2026
Place: Würzburg, Germany
Application deadline: 25th January 2026
Language: English
For an increasing number of young people, social media is the primary source of news and information, while the climate crisis remains one of their biggest future concerns. At the same time, narratives such as "the climate has always been changing" or false information about blackouts caused by renewable energies are widespread in both social and traditional media.
Climate change fuels eco-anxiety, while disinformation erodes trust in science and institutions, reinforcing populist narratives that obstruct climate action. Deliberately spread climate disinformation—both online and offline, in social media and personal conversations—weakens fact-based discussions, undermines understanding of local and global climate policies and displays a threat for democracy.
In 2025, Kreisau-Initative launched its educational program Facts For Future to counter climate disinformation in youth work and create youth exchanges at the intersection of media literacy, climate and civic education.
The training course of Facts For Future aims to build capacities with professionals of civil society organisations, trainers and youth workers from across Europe in Würzburg from 9th to 15th April 2026 (including two travel days). Through peer exchange and workshops with experts, participants will develop methods to address climate disinformation and populist narratives with young people and discuss strategies how civil society can strengthen a democratic dialogue on climate protection that is based on facts.
Objectives of the training:
- strengthening critical media literacy: participants will learn to identify and analyse disinformation and promote fact-based discussions with young people.
- developing strategies to strengthen civil society in terms of climate disinformation: methods will be introduced to address populist narratives and their impact on climate policy.
- supporting youth engagement: participants will explore ways to help young people cope with climate disinformation, debunk myths through creative methods and encourage active participation in climate action.
- fostering European exchange and networking: sharing experiences from different countries to develop joint approaches for climate education and combating disinformation
Programme draft:
You can find a first programme draft here.
When and where?
The training course takes place from 9th April-15th April 2025 (including two travel days) in Würzburg, Germany.
Who can participate?
Whether you are an NGO interested in building a European network, a trainer engaged in non-formal education, a teacher or youth worker that wants to learn more about media literacy or an activist seeking new approaches, this programme offers valuable insights and connections.
This training is open to for people from diverse backgrounds, including professionals of civil society organisations, trainers and youth workers working in relevant fields
who
- already gained experience in the context of non-formal education and would like to strengthen their skills in addressing climate disinformation
- have an interest to shape future youth projects that address the topic of the training
- are fluent in English
- live in one of the following Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Malta, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, or Türkiye
Costs:
The participation fee depends on the country you live in. Full board, accommodation (in double rooms) and travel are included.
- Country group 1: 120 € – Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg
- Country group 2: 80 € – Czechia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Malta
- Country group 3: 50 € – Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye
Participation fees should not be a barrier to joining this training. If you are unable to cover the fee, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will find a solution.
Travel reimbursement:
Travel costs will be reimbursed based on actual expenses, up to the maximum lump sum amounts determined by travel distances (in EUR). The distance band of maximum reimbursement per participant is based on the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator.
- 10-99 km – 28€ / green travel 56 €
- 100-499 km – 211€ / green travel – 285€
- 500-1999 km – 309€/ green travel – 417€
- 2000-2999 km – 395€/ green travel – 535€
If you are selected, please get in touch with us to arrange the booking of your travel tickets and the reimbursement of your travel expenses. Do not book your travel independently.
We will help you to find the best itinerary. We strive to protect the environment and act sustainably. Therefore, we encourage participants to avoid travelling by plane wherever possible.
How to apply?
Please fill in the application form by 25th January 2026.
The participants will be selected on the basis of motivation and the available number of places per country.
All admitted persons for participation in the training will be informed by 30th January, 2026. Persons who were not contacted are on a waiting list and will be contacted subsequently if spots become available.
Contact details:
In case you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Pascal Goddemeier via email (goddemeier [at] kreisau.de) or phone (+49 (0) 30 53 89 31 63 65)