On 3–4 June 2025, partners of the CHECKMATE project came together in Riga, Latvia, for the official Kick-Off Meeting, marking the start of a joint European effort to tackle climate misinformation.
Far from being just a formal launch, the meeting played a crucial role in shaping how the project will create meaningful and lasting impact across all partner countries.
Aligning Vision with Action
One of the key objectives of the meeting was to ensure that all partners share a common understanding of the project’s goals and the change it seeks to achieve. Through a series of interactive discussions and working sessions, the consortium aligned priorities, clarified roles, and agreed on concrete next steps.
This shared direction is especially important for a transnational initiative like CHECKMATE, where coordinated action across different contexts is essential for achieving tangible results.
Strengthening Collaboration Across Europe
Bringing together organisations from diverse European contexts, the meeting created valuable space for exchange. Partners shared perspectives, experiences, and challenges related to climate misinformation and youth engagement.
Each country faces unique realities in how young people access and interpret information about climate change. By exploring these differences, partners gained a deeper understanding of how project activities can be adapted to local needs while maintaining a strong and coherent European framework.
This collaborative approach will help ensure that the project’s outcomes are both locally relevant and impactful at the European level.
From Planning to Meaningful Impact
Discussions in Riga went beyond planning activities and focused on the broader impact the project aims to generate. Partners explored how their work will support youth workers in becoming more confident and effective in addressing misinformation, as well as how young people can be better equipped to critically assess the information they encounter.
By the end of the meeting, there was a clear sense of direction. CHECKMATE will contribute to building more informed, engaged, and resilient communities across partner countries.
What This Means for Partner Countries
For each participating country, CHECKMATE represents an important opportunity to strengthen the capacity of youth workers to address complex and sensitive topics such as climate misinformation, while also providing young people with practical tools to navigate an increasingly complex information landscape. At the same time, the project will foster dialogue and critical thinking at local level and contribute to a broader European effort to promote evidence-based understanding of climate issues.
The Kick-Off Meeting ensured that these ambitions are not only shared, but also translated into coordinated and actionable steps.
A Strong Start for the Journey Ahead
The meeting in Riga laid a solid foundation for the months ahead. With clear roles, shared objectives, and strong collaboration among partners, the CHECKMATE project is now moving forward with a clear focus on impact.
As activities begin to unfold in each partner country, the outcomes of this first meeting will continue to guide the project’s direction and ensure that its results are practical, relevant, and meaningful.
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