Building resilience in the digital jungle: How Europe can face disinformation together
At a time when misinformation and online hate spread faster than ever, Interreg Cooperation Day 2025 turned the spotlight on one of Europe’s most pressing challenges: how to equip the next generation with the tools to navigate the digital jungle.
Held on 17 September in Bratislava and 25 September in Senec, the interactive discussions gathered more than 460 secondary school students. Organised by the Interact programme in cooperation with the Bratislava Region and partners such as the crisis helpline IPčko, the events showcased how cross-border cooperation, the essence of Interreg’s work for the last 35 years, can also mean building resilience to common social challenges.
Juraj Droba, President of the Bratislava Region, reminded participants that fact-checking and critical thinking are the first lines of defence:
‘I’m surprised how often even educated people believe absolute nonsense. I urge you, young people, to verify facts and trust media with a history of fact-checking. Ignorance is the first step toward bringing out the worst in human nature.’
Juraj Droba, President of the Bratislava Region - Photo by Monika Kováčová
Psychologist Zuzana Juráneková explained why fake news is so powerful, highlighting both its appeal and its risks:
‘We live in a complicated time, when many events are hard to grasp. Hoaxes offer overly simple explanations for complex phenomena – that’s why they are so tempting. They give us a false sense of certainty.’
Zuzana Juráneková, psychologist - Photo by Monika Kováčová
The event underlined that fighting disinformation is not only about technical solutions, it is also about empathy, mental health and community.
For journalist and comedian Tomáš Hudák, the stakes are high:
‘There is an ongoing information war online. If we don’t learn how to deal with it, it’s like going into battle unarmed. Often, we unknowingly spread hoaxes ourselves, which is why it’s crucial to start stopping them with our own actions.’
Tomáš Hudák, journalist and comedian - Photo by Monika Kováčová
Tomáš Hudák also warned about the growing normalisation of online hate, stressing the need for resilience and solidarity among young people.
Musician and comedian “Bedña” offered humour as a tool for prevention:
‘Channelling frustrations through creativity is healthy. Humour is my way of coping with reality - and sometimes it’s the only therapy that works.’
Tomáš „Bedňa“ Šrámek, musician and comedian - Photo by Monika Kováčová
Cooperation beyond borders
The discussions revealed how disinformation transcends national borders and how tackling it requires cooperation at every level, from classrooms to regions, from families to institutions. This is precisely what Interreg has been fostering: stronger, more connected societies that can respond collectively to shared challenges.
By bringing together regional leaders, psychologists, and artists to talk openly with young people, Interreg Cooperation Day 2025 showed that protecting democracy is not just a political project, it starts with critical thinking, mutual support and creativity in everyday life.
The Bratislava Region actively participates in multiple Interreg programmes, including Slovakia-Austria and Slovakia-Hungary. As the Managing Authority of the Interact programme, it supports territorial cooperation across borders.
Header photo: Monika Kováčová.