The Lithuanian College of Democracy (LDUK) is launching a new initiative to strengthen older adults’ digital inclusion, media and information literacy, and resilience to disinformation created or amplified by artificial intelligence.

The international initiative CLEAR-AGE: Building Critical Information Resilience Against AI-Driven Disinformation among Older Adults will be implemented together with partners from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Sweden.

“This initiative responds to one of the most important challenges facing contemporary society – the rapidly changing information environment. The development of artificial intelligence is transforming how information is created, distributed and understood: we increasingly encounter generative content, deepfakes, algorithmic content distribution and emotionally manipulative narratives,” says Dr Eglė Celiešienė, Member of the Board of LDUK.

According to her, these changes are particularly relevant for older adults, who often have fewer opportunities to participate in digital, media and information literacy learning activities tailored to their needs. For this reason, CLEAR-AGE aims not only to provide knowledge about artificial intelligence and disinformation, but also to strengthen practical skills for navigating the digital environment more safely, critically and confidently.

The aim of CLEAR-AGE is to strengthen older adults’ critical information resilience in AI-driven information environments through non-formal adult learning methods applied in social service, care and community-based settings.

The project is based on an empowering approach: older adults are not passive recipients of support. They can be active learners and contributors to community resilience and civic participation. Therefore, the project activities will focus on accessible, practical and human-centred learning.

During the project, the partners will develop a non-formal learning module for older adults on artificial intelligence, disinformation, media logic and critical information assessment. Practical guidelines will also be developed for adult educators, social workers and care staff, helping them integrate these topics into their everyday work with older adults.

The learning content will be piloted in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in social service, care and community-based settings. At least 90 older adults will take part in the pilot activities, while at least 25 adult educators, social service professionals and care staff will be involved in learning, piloting and peer-learning activities. Transnational partner meetings will also take place in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to support the exchange of experience, the improvement of methods and quality assurance.

The project is expected to help older adults better recognise AI-generated disinformation, misleading narratives and manipulative content. It will also strengthen the capacity of organisations to address information-related risks in a simple, ethical and empowering way. Project results will be disseminated through EPALE, partner websites, social media and professional events, and the learning resources developed will be made available for wider use.

The project is planned for implementation in 2026–2028 together with the Lithuanian Samaritan Society Vilnius, the Multifunctional Center for Social Services “LAIPA” in Latvia, Lõuna-Eesti Hooldekeskus in Estonia and Ossiannilsson Quality in Open Online Learning Consultancy in Sweden. The activities are funded by the Nordplus Adult programme.