The opportunity for political participation should be integral to the experience of newcomers to Germany, regardless of their origin. With around 50,000 Ukrainians, the community is the third-largest in Berlin, and many activists arriving in the city, for whom political engagement was vital in Ukraine, seek like-minded people and opportunities to join or start initiatives. Disinformation is a significant societal threat, and we must actively address it by reaching those in alternative media bubbles who miss balanced reporting. In addition to media literacy and responsible journalism projects, we need initiatives that empower democratic forces to create resilience within society. Ukrainians, increasingly victims of attacks in Germany, are targeted due to language and symbols, likely fueled by anti-democratic narratives and disinformation. The Federal Ministry of the Interior highlights anti-Ukrainian disinformation as a powerful hybrid threat aimed at dividing German society and weakening the country. Our project aims to empower Ukrainians to combat disinformation, strengthen dialogue in Germany, engage with diverse perspectives, promote democratic values, and contribute to international understanding.
As part of the initiative, participants developed a diverse set of practical projects addressing disinformation and fostering civic engagement. For instance, a podcast series titled “Фільтруй” (“Filter it!”) that focuses on media literacy and equips listeners with tools to recognize and counter disinformation, or a video series portraying inspiring stories of Ukrainian women in Germany who overcame adversity, learned the language, and successfully entered the job market—demonstrating positive integration and resilience and debunking myths surrounding protection seekers. A school-based lecture on the risks of disinformation delivered by a Ukrainian journalist helped build critical media awareness among students, while another group conducted surveys among Ukrainian youth both in Ukraine and abroad to explore social cohesion and engagement. Finally, a digital Advent calendar was created, offering daily facts and tips related to misinformation, in an engaging and interactive format to raise awareness during the holiday season. Together, these diverse projects reached different audiences with tailored approaches to building media literacy and community resilience.
Project Goals
The project aims to empower Ukrainians in Berlin to combat disinformation, promote democratic values, and actively engage in political discourse. It seeks to provide participants with the skills and resources needed to develop and implement initiatives that counter disinformation and foster democratic resilience within the community. Additionally, the project focuses on strengthening dialogue, encouraging collaboration across different actors, and contributing to mutual understanding in a diverse society.
Target Group(s)
The primary target audience is Ukrainians living in Berlin, particularly those interested in political engagement and combating disinformation and already active in the civil society. Although our target group shows high political interest, they often lack experience in project management and fundraising in Germany. Additionally, handling sensitive issues, such as communication about the Russian war against Ukraine is essential. Therefore, our project not only aims to raise awareness but also provides resources and skills necessary to effectively counter disinformation and promote democratic values.
Planned Outcomes/Achievements
- 20 trained multipliers with Ukrainian migration background who are equipped to design and implement high-quality projects against disinformation.
- Strengthened initiative groups, ensuring the sustainability of the work done by the multipliers.
- 20 implemented initiatives targeting disinformation.
- Synergy with other Berlin-based and national initiatives combating disinformation.
- Increased visibility for the “Alliance of Ukrainian Organizations” through equal partnerships.
