The YouNDigital project receives an “Excellent” rating from the FCT.

The research project YouNDigital – Youth, News and Digital Citizenship was rated “Excellent” by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), standing out for fully meeting—and in several areas exceeding—the scientific objectives initially set.

According to the international evaluation panel, the project demonstrated high scientific quality and productivity, with results that significantly contribute to the visibility of Portuguese science. Key outputs include the publication of two books, 14 articles in international journals and 5 in national journals, as well as an impressive total of 106 conference presentations (compared to the 23 initially planned) and the organization of 10 scientific events (versus 2 planned), including a pre-conference of the European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), held in 2024 in Ljubljana.

The panel also highlighted the effective execution of the budget plan, with minor adjustments agreed upon with the FCT, considering the project an example of “excellent value for investment.”

Beyond scientific production, YouNDigital stood out for its societal impact and capacity for knowledge transfer. Initiatives included the production of eight media literacy videos, integrated into the National Media Literacy Plan, as well as the development of a modular training model aligned with UNESCO guidelines.

The project also fostered important strategic partnerships, both nationally and internationally, namely with CENJOR, the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth (IPDJ), the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), and the organization Palavra Aberta in Brazil. These collaborations enabled the dissemination of best practices across the Portuguese-speaking world and the development of training activities aimed at diverse audiences, including young people in vulnerable contexts such as migrant populations and Roma communities.

Developed at CICANT – the Research Centre for Applied Communication, Culture and New Technologies, the project aimed to understand young people’s relationship with news in the context of digital citizenship, analyzing their information consumption processes across different social contexts.

Overall, the final evaluation recognizes YouNDigital as a benchmark project, combining scientific excellence, societal impact, and efficient use of resources.