Media Lab Baltic Network

On March 12 we begin an interactive educational program for youth - Media Lab Baltic Network for more than 100 participants from Latvia and Estonia.
Media Lab is an educational project for young people that aims to help participants develop critical thinking and media literacy skills and, together with professional journalists, radio and television hosts, experts and mentors, gain skills and knowledge in creating, analyzing, promoting and editing content.
> Stage 1 / March 12, 2022
“Gors” (Rēzekne, Latvia) and “Objekt” (Narva, Estonia)
March 12 program will consist of a one-day course with more than 15 speakers from the U.S., Latvia, Estonia and other countries. The program combines theoretical lectures and practical workshops on media literacy, disinformation, analysis of fake news in media and introduction to journalism. The course will take place simultaneously in Rēzekne (Latvia) and Narva (Estonia), both in person and online, with speakers from studios in Latvia and Estonia.
> Stage 2 / From March 12 to April 25, 2022
Time for practical work in local communities.Teams will have six weeks to complete the maximum number of the 12 offered assignments of varying complexity. Each task has its own "price". Each team chooses how many tasks to perform. All tasks are aimed at developing media literacy, educating peers about the problem of misinformation, and involving other participants in local communities. See examples of the tasks in the appendix. The program is built in an informal and playful way. Each team will also get the chance to consult with their mentors and experts to achieve the best results in their work. Each team is free to choose how, when and how many tasks they will complete - the more tasks you complete, the more points you earn to reach the final!
Registration: ej.uz/balticnetwork
> Stage 3 / Final / June, 2022
In the second stage winners will be identified. They will be chosen by a jury from Estonia, Latvia and the United States. The prize for the finalists will be a trip to the accelerator residency in Valka-Valga (on the Estonian-Latvian border), where the teams will be able to further improve their skills and knowledge. The final task will reveal the ultimate winning team who will receive a cash grant for their ideas!
Media Lab is an opportunity to learn how to analyze and verify information, delve deeper into the topic of fair journalism, apply real action to spread the awareness of media literacy and become the most productive creative team. This is an opportunity to create your own media product, engage local communities, learn a lot and develop your critical thinking, analysis and media literacy skills.
> Who can participate?
Teams of 4 (preferably from the same class, school parliament or youth initiative group) can participate. The age range is 15-20 years.
> How much does it cost to participate?
Participation in the program is absolutely free. The organizers cover all expenses for the program, meals for participants, prizes and all expenses during the Final. Travel expenses are not covered by the organizers for the first conference on March 12.
> What will be the prize?
All participants will receive certificates, program merchandise and souvenirs. The finalists of the second stage will get a chance to take part in the acceleration program for free. Media Lab winners will get a cash prize of 500 Euro.
> What language will the program be in?
On March 12, the program will be mostly in English. Further, the teams can perform tasks in local languages (Latvian, Estonian, Russian, English).
> How to register a team?
ej.uz/balticnetwork
> The organizers:
New East (Latvia), VitaTiim (Estonia).
AEIF, USA Embassy in Riga, USA Embassy in Tallinn