The project aims to empower older citizens (60+) in Europe to develop a critical approach to the media and strengthen their resilience to disinformation.
To this end, Level Up will develop and test a dynamic multilingual toolkit, as well as a five-level video game strategically designed to help older adults (aged 60 and over) navigate the digital information ecosystem in a reliable and responsible way.
Available in English, Spanish, Bulgarian and Czech, the digital toolkit and video game will enable older citizens to distinguish between trustworthy and misleading online content across a range of key topics: general disinformation, health, science and climate change, conspiracy theories, artificial intelligence and online scams. The platform offers personalised guidance adapted to the regional and linguistic context of each participant.
Level Up’s resources will reach more than 350 people aged over 60 in the participating countries, while also engaging more than 150 professionals who work with older people through a series of train-the-trainer workshops.
At the same time, a dissemination and public awareness campaign—including media literacy forums, community exhibitions and videos featuring older participants from the project’s workshops—will promote the Level Up toolkit and results among a wide range of audiences and stakeholders across Europe.
What will Fundación Maldita.es do?
Maldita.es will lead the research and development of media literacy workshops to identify the main disinformation narratives in Bulgaria, Spain and the Czech Republic. Together with Media Literacy Coalition and Transitions, it will design practical workshops and tailored resources to help older people identify disinformation on topics such as health, science, climate, conspiracy theories, artificial intelligence and fraud.
In addition, Maldita.es will collaborate in the pilot implementation and evaluation of the workshops and an educational video game in these three countries. In coordination with HelpAge International Spain, it will deliver training sessions for older people and for professionals who work with them in different regions of Spain, collecting data and improving the materials to ensure their accessibility and effectiveness.
The consortium includes organisations from three countries producing content in four languages.
The consortium is made up of:
Fundación Maldita.es (Spain) A non-profit foundation that builds public trust by fighting disinformation through journalism, education, technology, research and public advocacy.
Help Age International España (Spain) Supports older people in claiming their rights, challenging discrimination and overcoming poverty so they can enjoy a dignified, safe, active and healthy life. It responds to humanitarian emergencies and implements development projects to ensure that older people are not left behind. It also provides training and awareness-raising to foster a society that is more aware of the realities faced by older people and works towards a UN Convention on their rights.
Media Literacy Coalition (Bulgaria) A network that brings together experts and educational organisations to promote media literacy. MLC integrates media literacy into both formal and lifelong education, develops resources and collaborates with institutions to strengthen digital skills.
Universidad Complutense (Spain) One of Spain’s oldest and most prestigious universities, recognised for its academic excellence and vibrant intellectual environment. Through the NIL group, the university stands out in the development of video games and immersive environments, combining disciplines such as computer science, engineering and art.
Transitions (Czech Republic) A non-profit organisation that strengthens the professionalism, independence and impact of media in post-communist Europe and the former Soviet Union. Through journalism training, media literacy programmes and the online magazine Transitions, it promotes quality journalism and public trust.
The project has a total budget of €713,754.20, of which Fundación Maldita.es will receive €147,826.39 over a 24-month period.