EAVI is excited to announce that the second edition of the European Festival of Journalism and Media Literacy, Voices, will be hosted at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, Croatia, on 28 February – 1 March 2025. In this unprecedented initiative funded by the European Commission, EAVI coordinates all the Media Literacy activities and partners with six European organisations, including the European University Institute’s Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, the European Broadcasting Union, the European Federation of Journalists, Journalism et Citoyenneté, Lie Detectors, and Savoir*Devenir.

The inaugural edition of the Festival took place at the iconic Leopolda Station in Florence in March 2024, with the participation of more than 1300 people. EAVI was the coordinator of all the media literacy activities, including but not limited to 1) the panel discussions on media literacy topics such as artificial intelligence, digital well-being, digital parenting, and the global perspectives on media literacy; 2) the workshops such as Educare al pensiero critico and Corpi digitali in rivolta; 3) the Media Literacy Stand which functions as a media literacy information hub for the participants; 4) the evaluation of the Media Literacy Awards applications and the presentation of the ceremony.

Below, you can access the EAVI Interview Series that was conducted during the first edition of the Festival with a number of people, including the panel speakers, Festival participants, media literacy awardees, and activists:

• Lee Hibbard and Maria Farrell – Artificial Intelligence
• Elizabeth Milovidov – Digital Parenting
• Maura Gancitano – Philosophy in the Digital Age
• Fabio Mauri – Fake News and Humour in Digital Media
• Diletta Bellotti – Digital Bodies Revolting
• Nicola Bruno – ML Multipliers Award
• Participants’ Feedback

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Voices marks a new departure from previous initiatives in the field, promising to bring fresh perspectives and insights to the forefront of media discourse. It also sets out to become a preeminent platform for dialogue and exchange, connecting journalistic and media literacy communities with European citizens. From tackling media’s evolution in a rapidly shifting digital landscape to equipping citizens with the tools to navigate these changes, Voices steers the conversation toward a more informed future through curated sessions, interactive workshops, exhibitions, and networking opportunities.

The EU-funded Festival embarks on different journeys across different European cities every year to spotlight media freedom and media literacy as essential elements for the functioning of our democratic societies. This dynamic approach provides participants with the opportunity to explore different approaches, exchange good practices and nurture cross-cultural dialogues within Europe. The Festival also aims to engage local communities in each host city. The spaces offered, therefore, welcome both international experts and young, media-active communities, including students. By involving local residents, the Festival aims to create a sense of ownership and shared responsibility.

Over two days in Zagreb, the Festival will explore the themes that shape our relationship with information and media today. These include media literacy and artificial intelligence, digital well-being, digital parenting, disinformation, digital citizenship, and EU media policies, among others.

A Wide Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Real Impact

The project embraces a bottom-up and multi-stakeholder approach, drawing upon the rich expertise and knowledge of the consortium of organisations with extensive international networks comprising journalists, public service media, media literacy experts and media researchers. This collaborative effort ensures that the Festival addresses the most pressing issues that affect our media societies today. Voices is the first European platform for deliberation, offering valuable insights to professionals, decision-makers and citizens alike.

A Dual Focus on Evolving Journalism and Media Literacy

The Festival’s unique character is further defined by its dual focus. It delves into both the evolving role of journalism in producing news in a rapidly changing media landscape and the crucial dimension of equipping citizens with the skills to decipher information and be able to use technology and the media meaningfully. By addressing these two interconnected themes, the Festival aims to contribute to empowering citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to critically engage with media content and understand the evolving dynamics of journalism.

Media Literacy Awards

Within the many activities of the Festival, we give five media literacy awards, each offering the winners a €1,000 prize, rewarding clever ideas to build media literacy skills across Europe. The Media Literacy Awards comprises five distinct categories:

1. AI Trending Now: Clever ways to use Artificial Intelligence technology for ML.
2. Digital Well-Being: Nurturing mindfulness to contribute to a healthier digital environment.
3. Digital Parenting: ML initiatives to benefit parents and children.
4. Citizens Engagement and Participation: Initiatives for election integrity and to fight disinformation.
5. ML Multipliers: Effective practices to replicate, multiply and transfer media literacy knowledge and skills.

The deadline for application is now extended! Submit your project by the 27th of October! The winners will be announced on 15 January 2025 and will be awarded at a ceremony in Zagreb. Submit your application HERE.

Register here and take your seat at the Festival!

Registration is now open! Sign up HERE to guarantee a spot for the festival’s main sessions.

Follow EAVI and visit the Voices website to be among the first to receive updates on the Festival: voicesfestival.eu

Contact Semih Solmaz for more information HERE.