The training phase of the "Play the Truth: Youth and Media in Lori" project has been successfully completed, bringing together young people from different communities of the Lori region to strengthen their knowledge, skills, and active participation in democratic processes.

During several training sessions, participants explored the principles of democracy and democratic participation, discussed the importance of civic engagement, and developed a deeper understanding of media literacy, fact-checking, and responsible information consumption. Through interactive workshops, group discussions, simulations, and other non-formal education methods, participants had the opportunity not only to gain theoretical knowledge but also to apply it in practice by working collaboratively and exchanging ideas with one another.

An important component of the programme was dedicated to educational board game design. Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of creating engaging and educational board games, learned about different game mechanics, and discovered how complex social topics such as democracy, media literacy, and misinformation can be transformed into accessible and interactive learning tools. Guided by experienced experts, they worked in teams to develop initial concepts, storylines, visual ideas, and gameplay elements for their own educational board games.

Throughout the training phase, participants demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking while actively contributing to discussions and practical exercises. The programme created a collaborative environment where young people were encouraged to express their ideas, challenge misinformation, and reflect on the role of media and civic participation in democratic societies.

The completion of the training phase marks an important milestone in the project. In the coming weeks, participants will continue working on their board game concepts, refining them with the support of experts and mentors. The best ideas will be further developed into educational board games that will serve as innovative tools for promoting media literacy, critical thinking, and democratic participation among young people in regional communities.

The project "Play the Truth: Youth and Media in Lori" is implemented by Eco Group Youth-Environmental NGO with the financial support of the New Democracy Fund (NDF).