A Featured Activity from the HATE-LESS Toolkit

In traditional education or youth work settings, rules are often established top-down. We are handed a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts,” and our role is simply to follow them. While this might maintain temporary order, it rarely builds a deep sense of responsibility. If we want to genuinely address and prevent hate speech, we have to flip the script.

Hate speech often grows in environments where individuals feel unheard, disconnected, or excluded. This week, we are highlighting a core activity from the HATE-LESS Toolkit that directly targets these root causes. It’s called Activity 1: “Our Values, Our Voice.”

The Problem with Policing Behavior

When we impose rules, we place the responsibility for maintaining order solely on the authority figure. The participants (students, youth, group members) remain passive. If that authority figure isn’t looking, the rules can easily be broken. In this model, discipline often depends on a system of surveillance and punishment. This approach may stop a behavior temporarily, but it doesn’t change the underlying culture.

The Power of Participation: Co-Creation

The “Our Values, Our Voice” activity transforms group dynamics by placing ownership directly in the hands of the participants. It recognizes that responsibility cannot be forced.

Here is why this approach, taken from Module 1 of our methodology, is so powerful:

1. Starts with Individual Values: The activity begins not with a rule, but with a question: “What makes a group feel safe, fair, and respectful for you?” This allows every individual to reflect on their personal needs and voice them, grounding the collective rules in personal reality.
2. Nurtures Multidisciplinary Thinking: It combines social psychology (individual values), organizational design (group statutes), and civic engagement (symbolic affirmation) to create a robust system of shared behavior.
3. Creates a “Shared Covenant”: The final Code of Conduct is not a list of prohibitions. It is an agreement, a promise that everyone in the room has made to each other. When everyone “signs” the document (whether digitally or on a physical poster), they aren’t just agreeing to follow rules; they are committing to a specific way of treating their community members.
4. Agency Displaces Aggression: The feeling of agency (that one’s voice matters and has an impact on the environment) is a critical factor in social psychology. When young people have agency in defining their boundaries, they are far less likely to resort to aggression or hate to assert control.

HATE-LESS: Creating Resilient Communities

At its core, this activity is about building Resilient, Hate-Free Spaces. By investing an hour in co-creating a Code of Conduct, group leaders are making a long-term investment in prevention. They are ensuring that dignity, not discipline, is the foundation of the group.

We encourage all educators, youth workers, and team leaders to try this activity. See for yourself how a shared commitment can transform a group culture from the inside out.

📖 Ready to build ownership in your group? Download the full activity description and the HATE-LESS Toolkit for free here: https://tinyurl.com/muc7xckn 

Extra material: European Commission, The Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online +

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

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The HATE-LESS Toolkit for Youth Workers and Trainers was developed to support professionals who want to engage young people in meaningful conversations about these challenges while building media literacy and civic engagement skills.

The toolkit provides practical activities and participatory learning methods that encourage young people to reflect, collaborate, and develop their own responses to harmful narratives.

Download the toolkit here:
https://hate-less.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hateless-Toolkit.pdf

A Practical Resource for Youth Education

Rather than focusing only on defining hate speech or disinformation, the toolkit takes a practical and action-oriented approach.

It encourages youth workers and trainers to guide participants through activities that strengthen critical thinking, empathy, and digital literacy. Through participatory storytelling and collaborative learning methods, young people are encouraged to analyze online narratives and develop alternative perspectives that promote inclusion and diversity.

The resource is designed to be flexible, allowing educators to adapt activities to the needs of their groups and local contexts.

Six Modules Supporting Participatory Learning

The toolkit is structured around six thematic modules, each focusing on a different aspect of youth engagement and media literacy.

Module 1: Understanding Participants and Shared Values
This module explores group dynamics and introduces discussions about European values, respectful dialogue, and codes of conduct for inclusive learning environments.

Module 2: Emotional Algorithms
Participants explore how social media platforms influence emotions, online behavior, and the spread of radicalizing content.

Module 3: Research and Exploration
This module introduces participatory research activities such as interviews, photo storytelling, soundscape mapping, and youth-led media creation.

Module 4: Foundations of Participatory Action
Young people are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and consider how they can take an active role in addressing harmful narratives in their communities.

Module 5: Creating Participatory Videos
This section provides technical guidance on developing participatory video projects, including storytelling techniques, ethical considerations, and responsible online sharing.

Module 6: Reflection and Learning
Interactive tools and evaluation activities help participants reflect on their learning experiences and discuss the impact of the activities.

From Understanding Hate to Creating Counter-Narratives

One of the key goals of the HATE-LESS toolkit is to move beyond passive learning. Instead of simply identifying harmful narratives, participants are encouraged to create counter-narratives and alternative stories that promote inclusion and respect.

Through digital storytelling, interviews, and collaborative media projects, young people can explore their own perspectives and share experiences that challenge stereotypes and discrimination.

This participatory approach helps young people develop stronger media literacy skills while also building confidence and empathy.

Explore the HATE-LESS Project Results

The toolkit is part of the broader HATE-LESS project, which brings together partners across Europe to strengthen media literacy and civic engagement among young people.

In addition to the training toolkit, the project has also developed methodological guidelines and monitoring tools to support participatory learning initiatives.

Explore all project results:
https://hate-less.eu/results/

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

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Project Overview & Objectives

HATE-LESS was launched to address the growing challenges of online hate speech and disinformation that target young Europeans. Our mission is to transform the digital landscape into a safer, more empathetic space by:

• Combating hate speech and disinformation via media literacy to counter fake news and advocate for diverse migration narratives.
• Enhancing digital literacy in youth work, empowering youth to critically analyze the content they consume.
• Mobilizing youth workers and organizations for inclusive societies through participatory methods and technology.
• Strengthening social and civic competencies by promoting fundamental values, mutual respect, and intercultural dialogue.

From Planning to Action: Implementation & Activities

The first half of the project focused on identifying needs through focus groups with Local Advisory groups and developing a solid academic foundation. We have successfully created Methodological Guidelines and a Practical Toolkit focused on participatory action research and video production. These materials were validated during intensive transnational training sessions and are now ready for wide-scale application.

The HATE-LESS Toolkit: Now Available

A major milestone has been reached with the official publication of the HATE-LESS Practical Toolkit. Now available on our Results Page, this resource offers interactive exercises designed to help educators translate complex media issues into hands-on learning.

A Strong European Partnership

This initiative is driven by a diverse consortium of partners across Europe (excluding FSL for this phase of the campaign):

1. Germany: EUROPEAN YOUTH4MEDIA NETWORK EV. (Project Coordinator)
2. Estonia: EESTI PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
3. France: MITRA FRANCE
4. Spain: Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL
5. Cyprus: WAVES FOUNDATION FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION

The Road Ahead: Participatory Videos & Youth Manifesto

As we enter the second half of the project, our focus shifts to the roll-out of training schemes and the production of participatory videos. In these videos, young people take the lead as storytellers to share their views on wellbeing and a better digital future.

These creative results will fuel our upcoming Advocacy Campaign and Youth Manifesto, aimed at pushing for the continuous improvement of media literacy in youth work at a policy level. By building a community of informed and responsible media users, HATE-LESS is creating a lasting impact on local, national, and European levels.

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

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Looking back at our HATE-LESS meeting in Tallinn, one message still resonates clearly: Less Hate. More Love.

The gathering marked an important milestone in the project. It was a space for reflection, exchange, and deeper collaboration around our shared goal: countering hate speech and fostering empathy, critical thinking, and dialogue among young people.

Being in the same room allowed us to test the HATE-LESS toolkit materials.

During the sessions, we explored:

• The relationship between AI, media, and responsibility
• The emotional mechanisms behind online engagement
• The power of narratives and counter-narratives
• Creative methods, such as participatory video, to amplify youth voices 

The discussions reinforced an important insight: hate speech does not emerge in isolation. It is shaped by algorithms, emotional triggers, repeated messages, and social contexts. Addressing it requires media literacy, emotional awareness, and collaborative action.

Tallinn reminded us that building inclusive digital spaces is a continuous process. It takes commitment, reflection, and creativity. The energy and ideas generated during those days continue to shape our ongoing work within HATE-LESS.

🎥 Watch the recap video:

Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa

Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu

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Hate speech online weakens social cohesion, restricts freedom of expression, and undermines democratic values. For young people, especially, repeated exposure to hostility can shape how they see others and how safe they feel expressing themselves.

The HATE-LESS project approaches this challenge with a clear goal: not only to raise awareness of hate speech, but to show what actually helps reduce it. Recent research confirms that empathy plays a decisive role.

Why empathy matters in countering hate

As part of the Stop Hate Speech project, researchers from ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich examined which forms of counterspeech are most effective when responding to hateful content online. Their findings challenge common assumptions.

In a 2021 field experiment involving over 1,300 Twitter (not X) users who had posted hateful messages, different response strategies were tested. The result was consistent and clear: only counterspeech that appealed to empathy for the people targeted by hate speech led to measurable behavior change.

Messages such as “This is very painful for Jewish people” or “Statements like this hurt migrants” were significantly more effective than humor, sarcasm, or warnings about consequences. Appeals that encouraged authors to reflect on the human impact of their words reduced the likelihood that they would continue posting hateful content.

As study lead Dominik Hangartner explains, there is no single solution to online hate, but some approaches demonstrably work better than others.

Empathy also influences bystanders

A follow-up study published in Nature Scientific Reports in 2025 expanded these findings. It showed that empathetic counterspeech not only affects the person being addressed; it also shapes how others react.

Users who were exposed to empathetic counterspeech, even when it was not directed at them, were less likely to like or amplify hateful comments. This reduced the reach and visibility of such content. Counterspeech that invited readers to put themselves in the position of the targeted group was particularly effective.

The researchers observed that messages encouraging perspective-taking helped bystanders draw parallels to their own experiences of exclusion or insult. This shift reduced passive support for hate speech and limited its spread.

From research to practice

These insights are central to the approach of the Public Discourse Foundation and its partners. Counterspeech that promotes empathy and perspective-shifting offers a constructive way to respond to hate without escalating conflict.

For HATE-LESS, this evidence reinforces a key principle: addressing hate is not only about naming what is wrong, but about modelling what works. Empathy is not a soft response; it is a strategic and evidence-based one.

By helping young people understand the emotional impact of words, and by encouraging them to consider how others experience exclusion or harm, we strengthen critical thinking and reduce pathways to radicalization.

Building healthier digital spaces

Empathy reframes the response to harmful behavior. Instead of shaming or threatening, it reconnects speech to its human consequences. Research shows that this approach can change behavior, reduce amplification, and support healthier online environments.

The HATE-LESS project continues to translate these findings into educational tools and communication strategies that support young people, educators, and institutions across Europe.

Because when empathy enters the conversation, hate loses ground.

Source: Source: ETH Zurich & University of Zurich. 2025. Confronting Hate with Empathy for those Affected.

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The 2024 June-July Eurobarometer identifies disinformation as one of the key concerns for Europeans. 19% of respondents list manipulation and false information among the biggest challenges. Many of these narratives focus on migrants; they circulate widely online and influence public debate.

Disinformation works because it often blends emotional claims with partial truths. Stories that play on fear or uncertainty spread quickly among users who may not have the tools to verify what they see. These narratives shape attitudes toward communities that already face exclusion; they also weaken trust in institutions.

HATELESS responds by promoting media literacy and supporting tools that help young people understand how misleading content operates. Awareness encourages people to recognize patterns of distortion. It guides them toward verified information and makes it easier to discuss sensitive topics without reinforcing harmful stereotypes. 

Safer digital spaces form when users approach content with curiosity rather than reaction and when conversation is built on facts instead of assumptions.

Source: Ipsos. 2024. EU challenges and priorities Summary. PDF

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During the 2024 European Parliament elections, harmful online rhetoric reached worrying levels. According to the FRA (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights) toxic narratives circulating on social media were linked to rising tensions across several Member States. Reports documented attacks against campaign workers in Germany and Italy, over 378 criminal proceedings linked to election-related violence in Hungary, and even an assassination attempt targeting Slovakia’s Prime Minister.

These events remind us that hate speech online is not “just words.” When a digital environment becomes saturated with hostility, misinformation, or dehumanizing language, it can increase polarization and lower the threshold for real-world aggression.

But highlighting the risks is only half of the picture.

At HATE-LESS.EU, we focus on strengthening the antidote: inclusion, critical thinking, and positive digital participation. By helping educators and young people understand how harmful content spreads, we support them in building online communities centered around dialogue (instead of division).

Research in digital psychology consistently shows that communities where young people feel included and represented are less vulnerable to radicalization or harmful narratives. Encouraging respectful interaction, offering accessible tools for reporting hate, and fostering a sense of belonging all contribute to healthier online spaces.

The events of the 2024 elections underline why this work matters. Preventing digital harm means investing in the social and emotional skills that keep communities strong, online and offline.

Source:
• FRA – Fundamental Rights Report 2025
 

Partner Websites:

EUROPEAN YOUTH4MEDIA NETWORK EV – Germany: https://youth4media.eu/

EESTI PEOPLE TO PEOPLE – Estonia https://www.ptpest.ee/

MITRA FRANCE – France: https://www.facebook.com/mitrafr/

Formation et Sensibilisation de Luxembourg – Luxembourg: https://fslux.lu/

Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL – Spain: https://ea.consulting/

WAVES FOUNDATION FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION – Cyprus: https://www.wavesfoundation.org/

Join The Hate-Less Movement

Be part of the movement against hate speech and disinformation! Stay updated and engaged by following us on our official platforms:

• Website: https://hate-less.eu
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hateless_eu
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/hateless.eu
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hate-less-eu
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/HATELESS_EU
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HATE-LESS-EU

Join the conversation and help create a more inclusive and hate-free digital world!

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Across Europe, women participating in political life continue to face high levels of online harassment. While digital spaces are essential for democratic debate, they have also become environments where women are disproportionately targeted with sexist abuse.

Findings by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) show that during election campaigns in various countries in Europe in 2024, women politicians were subjected to frequent sexist attacks and derogatory messages. This form of harassment often intensifies the moment women speak publicly, challenge discrimination, or address issues like gender equality.

Women belonging to minority groups (including ethnic minorities or religious minorities)  experience even more severe online harassment. Many face the double burden of being targeted with both sexism and racism, creating barriers to political participation and discouraging them from voicing opinions online.

This pattern of aggression is not only harmful to individual women. It undermines democratic processes by silencing diverse perspectives, restricting inclusive debate, and reinforcing social inequalities. When women reduce their online presence due to fear or exhaustion, entire communities lose representation.

Why This Matters for HATE-LESS

Countering online hate speech is essential for building a safer, more democratic digital environment. Addressing gendered online harassment helps ensure that women can participate fully in public life without fear.

Sources

• OSCE – ODIHR Special Election Assessment Mission Final Report
• European Institute for Gender Equality:  Online violence is real violence: A call for safe spaces

Join The Hate-Less Movement

Be part of the movement against hate speech and disinformation! Stay updated and engaged by following us on our official platforms:

• Website: https://hate-less.eu
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hateless_eu
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/hateless.eu
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hate-less-eu
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/HATELESS_EU
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HATE-LESS-EU

Join the conversation and help create a more inclusive and hate-free digital world!

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Last year’s European Parliament elections once again demonstrated how digital spaces shape political conversations and how quickly harmful rhetoric can spread. According to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE ODIHR), the 2024 election cycle saw increased use of hostile language, including racism, misogyny, xenophobia, islamophobia, intimidation, and even calls for violence. 

Much of this rhetoric circulated online through algorithmic amplification.  This amplification is driven by the “Attention Economy” and the human “Negativity Bias”: social media algorithms prioritize emotionally charged, negative content because it generates higher engagement (outrage, anger, quick shares).

The algorithm interprets this high engagement as “interest,” pushing the toxic content to wider audiences. This feedback loop disproportionately boosts extreme voices, effectively shifting the Overton Window (the range of acceptable public opinion) toward more polarizing positions, which severely impacts the fairness and integrity of democratic processes.

This pattern is consistent with research indicating that hostile narratives spread more rapidly than neutral or positive information. Studies from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA, 2024) confirm that exposure to dehumanising or threatening language increases the likelihood of accepting or repeating hate speech, especially among young people who are active on social media platforms.

For the HATE-LESS.EU project, these insights strengthen the need for structured educational approaches that address both emotional and cognitive responses to online content. Understanding how harmful narratives develop and why they spread so efficiently helps young people build the resilience and critical thinking needed to navigate digital environments safely.

By analysing last year’s election patterns, we contribute to a broader effort to create safer digital spaces, support democratic participation, and reduce the impact of harmful rhetoric on public debate.

Sources:

• OSCE ODIHR. Final Report on the 2024 European Parliament Elections (2024)
• EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (2024). Hate Speech & Online Behaviour Survey

GDI (2024), Gendered Disinformation in the European Parliamentary Elections

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Hate speech spreads online faster than positive content. Sometimes up to ten times faster, according to multiple studies on digital communication dynamics. While algorithms and moderation tools have become more sophisticated, the real solution lies in empowering people, not just improving code.

A 2023 report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), “Online Content Moderation – Current challenges in detecting hate speech,” highlights that many moderation systems still struggle with accuracy and transparency. Automated filters often fail to detect context or irony, while human moderators face psychological pressure and lack of clear, unified standards.

As the report underlines that a crucial aspect is building communities that know how to respond to harmful content. That’s where education and empathy come in.

At HATE-LESS.EU, we believe that fostering digital literacy, critical thinking, and social awareness can transform how young people engage online. Through workshops, creative storytelling, and peer learning, the project helps educators and youth leaders explore how bias spreads, how emotional manipulation works, and how empathy can counteract radicalization.

By equipping individuals with the knowledge to recognise hate speech and the tools to respond constructively, we move closer to an internet culture where respect and inclusion are not just moderated – they’re practiced. Because building safer digital spaces means building stronger human connections.

👉 Read the full FRA report here

Partner Websites:

EUROPEAN YOUTH4MEDIA NETWORK EV – Germany: https://youth4media.eu/

EESTI PEOPLE TO PEOPLE – Estonia https://www.ptpest.ee/

MITRA FRANCE – France: https://www.facebook.com/mitrafr/

Formation et Sensibilisation de Luxembourg – Luxembourg: https://fslux.lu/

Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL – Spain: https://ea.consulting/

WAVES FOUNDATION FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION – Cyprus: https://www.wavesfoundation.org/

Join The Hate-Less Movement

Be part of the movement against hate speech and disinformation! Stay updated and engaged by following us on our official platforms:

• Website: https://hate-less.eu
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hateless_eu
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/hateless.eu
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hate-less-eu
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/HATELESS_EU
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HATE-LESS-EU

Join the conversation and help create a more inclusive and hate-free digital world!

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