Study session “Young, Informed and Involved: Strengthening Democratic Literacy and Media Participation” From 22nd – 28th March 2026, 39 young people from 22 countries gathered at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg for the Study Session ⁇ ve ⁇Young, Informed and Involved: Strengthening Democratic Literacy and Media Participation.” Organised by European Youth Press in cooperation with DYPALL Network and the Youth Department of the Council of Europe, the activity explored how media literacy, democratic participation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence can strengthen young people’s role in civic life. Throughout the week, participants took part in interactive workshops, group discussions, simulation exercises, and peer-learning activities focused on democracy, ethical storytelling, civic journalism, misinformation, disinformation, and algorithmic bias. The study session created a space for young people to reflect on the role of media in democratic inclusion and to develop practical tools for action. The programme began with plenary sessions where participants built shared understanding around key concepts such as media literacy, journalistic ethics, and the challenges posed by AI in information spaces. These sessions helped establish a common basis for deeper discussions on how young people consume, create, and share information online. As the week progressed, participants moved into smaller working groups to develop concrete outputs. One group worked on the design of a toolkit and collaboratively produced the Youth Media Democracy Toolkit, offering ethical guidelines and storytelling methods to support youth participation in democratic life. Another group, through the Civic Story Seeds workshop, analysed local challenges and drafted project ideas addressing issues such as participatory budgeting and election engagement. A third group, in the Media Lab, explored the ethical use of AI in social media content creation and produced digital media designed to inform and engage audiences responsibly. A special highlight of the programme was the session led by Branislava Lovre, AI Ethics, Policy & Implementation Expert and Consultant. During this seminar, participants had the opportunity to explore AI both in theory and in practice, starting with the history of AI and moving on to hands-on exercises on prompt writing, as well as practical tips on how to recognise content and products created with the help of AI. Her contribution offered participants concrete tools to better understand the ethical dimensions of AI and its impact on media and information ecosystems. All the sessions were built on non-formal education principles and combined theoretical input with hands-on learning. Participants engaged in newsroom simulation, storytelling exercises, and role plays that encouraged them to think critically about fake news, AI prompts, and the responsibilities of both media consumers and creators. This practical approach helped participants strengthen their ability to identify disinformation, reflect on the role of civic journalism, and design youth-friendly formats for democratic education. It also highlighted the value of collaborative learning spaces where different perspectives, local experiences, and creative approaches can meet and generate meaningful outcomes. The Study Session reaffirmed the role of young people as active contributors to democratic life and highlighted the need for youth-friendly approaches to media literacy, civic engagement, and responsible AI use. By connecting critical reflection with practical output, the activity offered participants not only knowledge but also tools they can take back to their communities.