From 13-16 September 2024, the city of Clermont-Ferrand, France, became a hub for youth-driven climate action as it hosted the DisinformACTION Practice Exchange and Methodology Improvement Bootcamp. Organized as part of the DisinformACTION Project, this four-day event brought together students, teachers, and youth leaders from France, Latvia, Spain, and Romania to explore innovative ways to combat climate change disinformation.
Funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme of the European Union, the Bootcamp was designed to refine the Climate Change Ambassadors Methodology, empowering participants to lead campaigns that promote factual information in their communities.
Day 1: Building connections and sharing campaigns
The Bootcamp kicked off with a day of introductions, icebreakers, and collaborative learning. From the outset, participants were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and build meaningful connections with one another. Through interactive ice-breaking activities, bonds quickly formed between participants, laying the foundation for open dialogue and exchange throughout the event.
The Disinformation Bootcamp that took place in Clermont-Ferrand, France, between the 13th and 16th of September was a great experience that helped me learn more about climate change disinformation and how we could stop it through all our resources, I also improved my skills and learned new ones. Putting aside this, for me it was amazing that I had the opportunity to meet people from other countries with different cultures from which I had a lot to learn. (Voicu Loredana, student)
In the afternoon, participants showcased the climate change campaigns they had developed in their home countries. The Sharing Session was a highlight of the day, as each group presented its unique approach to addressing climate change disinformation. Using a Gallery Walk Method, participants set up stations to exhibit their campaigns, fostering a dynamic environment for peer feedback and idea generation. The enthusiasm in the room was palpable as students exchanged strategies, shared creative approaches, and reflected on the real-world impact of their work.
From the other participants, I’ve learned the value of collaboration and creativity in making a significant change. Many have shown how digital platforms can be powerful tools for spreading awareness about things that really matter. Participating in this project has given me a deeper understanding of the global nature of both the nature of both climate change and how bad disinformation truly affects our perception of what’s going on around us. It also gave me hope, knowing that there are passionate, informed, young people across the world ready to fight disinformation. (Andrei Alexia, student)
The whole experience was amazing and I got to learn more about a subject I’m passionate about. Climate disinformation is widespread and actively harming efforts to curb the impact of climate change. In addition, I got to meet wonderful people who are also trying to make a change in the world. (Ivascu Laurentiu, student)
Day 2: Exchanging practices and improving methodologies
Day two centered on collaboration and critical reflection, beginning with a World Café discussion on how citizens, teachers, and social media users can combat disinformation in everyday life. Participants rotated between tables, brainstorming actionable strategies to raise awareness about climate change while identifying and correcting disinformation.
I took advantage of this challenge DisinformACTION! and I discovered a new environment for personal and professional development, in a locality in another country that I really liked – Clermont Ferrand, France. A wonderful experience where I learned a lot of new things in a very short time. (Buidoso Carmen, teacher)
The Disinformation Bootcamp was a great experience, where I learned from the organizers, the teachers, and the students new ways to stop the disinformation regarding the matter of climate change. I discovered a lot of ideas and methods, to use in my classes so I could raise awareness among my students. (Stroie Elena, teacher)
The afternoon shifted focus to the Climate Change Ambassadors Methodology Improvement Workshop. Divided into groups, participants critically reviewed different chapters of the methodology. Drawing from their experiences and the lessons learned during the first day, each group proposed revisions to improve the clarity, applicability, and impact of the methodology. The suggestions were thoughtful and practical, ensuring the methodology better reflects the realities faced by climate change ambassadors working on the ground.
The project turned out to be a pleasant and rewarding experience overall. The information that was shared throughout the project proved to be both informative and practical, greatly contributing to the success of the experience. (Iordache Andrei Victor, student)
The day concluded with a reflective Dissemination Session, where participants interviewed each other about their Bootcamp experiences. The insights shared were powerful and underscored the importance of youth-driven action in the fight against disinformation.
My favorite activity was the one when we had to find people who can answer the questions we received on the sheet and write their name and country, because it helped me know a bit about almost everyone, so i think that was a very good start. From this project, I gained valuable skills, knowledge, and experience that helped boosting my confidence in future tasks and i also learned to collaborate with people from different countries. (Savu Miruna, student)
Outcomes and key takeaways
The Bootcamp culminated in a celebration of intercultural exchange and shared purpose, where participants reflected on the skills, insights, and connections they had gained. One of the most significant outcomes was the creation of a comprehensive Checklist for Fighting Disinformation, detailing actionable steps for different stakeholders, including citizens, social media users, students, and teachers.
An unforgettable experience developed in a relaxed atmosphere in the company of distinguished people. Students and teachers worked together to promote good practices from the campaigns carried out in the school communities they come from. (Popescu Elena, teacher)
The Bootcamp highlighted the role of young people as agents of change, particularly in the digital space where misinformation spreads rapidly. By equipping them with the tools and methodologies to create fact-based, engaging campaigns, the event empowered participants to become Climate Change Ambassadors in their communities. From interactive workshops to real-world campaign examples, the Bootcamp provided participants with a holistic understanding of how to navigate and counter climate change disinformation.
On the final cultural evening, all the participants had a great time, showing traditional dances from our respective countries and enjoying traditional food. This experience was a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better, share a part of our cultures, and form strong bonds with the other participants. (Iatan Nicolae, student)
Feedback from participants
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed how the Bootcamp provided them with practical, real-world tools for combating disinformation, as well as new insights into climate change activism.
A cleaner classroom, a cleaner school, a cleaner world is a campaign made in our school with the purpose to make students aware of the need to take care of the environment and become responsible. The location where I stayed during the project was a beautiful location where I didn't miss anything . The activities done were interactive and interesting. (Gagea Geanina, student)
In addition to the practical skills gained, participants are now part of a growing network of Climate Change Ambassadors across Europe, committed to promoting climate literacy and combating disinformation. Plans are already in motion to continue collaboration through online platforms, where participants will share their campaigns, progress, and impact.
The “DisimformACTION” project was a new learning experience for both new teachers and students. I discovered new perspectives to promote the protection of the environment among the students but also in the local and online community, through the campaigns developed by the students and supported during the bootcamp. We have discovered new ways that can be integrated into the didactic activity of combating disinformation regarding climate change. We also discovered partners from France, Spain and Lithuania who were very involved and motivated to develop new skills for their students, to involve students in motivating activities, which can bring added value to the school community they belong to. (Diaconescu Rodica, teacher)
The Bootcamp was a vital step in fostering a new generation of climate advocates who not only understand the challenges of climate disinformation but are equipped to address them head-on. By connecting knowledge with action, the DisinformACTION Bootcamp stands as a model for empowering youth to create meaningful change in the fight against climate change disinformation.
The DisimformACTION project was a challenge for both teachers and students. After this bootcamp, we discovered new and very interesting things, we will be more attentive to misinformation online, and children's environmental protection campaigns can come to life. (Ratea Cercel Andreea Florina, teacher)
The Disinformation Bootcamp in Clermont-Ferrand, France, from September 13th to 16th, was an unforgettable experience. It gave me the chance to dive deeper into the topic of climate change disinformation and explore effective ways to combat it using the tools and resources available. I also had the opportunity to hone my skills and learn new ones in the process. What made the event even more special was meeting people from various countries and cultures. The exchange of ideas and perspectives was truly enriching, and I gained a lot from those interactions. The activities were creative and unexpected, helping us bond quickly and create friendships that I believe will last. (Alexe Daria Georgiana, student)