1. Online training for youth, young journalists and bloggers on the topic

"Media Literacy During Elections: Tools for Detecting Disinformation and Fakes" and "Electoral Process and Inclusive Media Coverage"

The goal of the training, increasing media literacy of young people; and learning how to spot hate speech, disinformation and fake news during election processes.

Tasks:

• Teaching legal aspects of behavior on the Internet. Hate speech and discrimination in the media during electoral processes.
• How to identify disinformation and false information during election campaigns: memes and fakes; fact-checking tools.
• How to check the authenticity of the text, the authenticity of the site, photo and video
• Providing information about the electoral legislation of Uzbekistan. Rights, obligations and responsibility of media representatives for violation of the law.
• Highlighting the participation of representatives of groups in need of social protection and persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in electoral processes.

105 people took part in it. Out of 105 participants, 42 (40%) were men and 63 (60%) were women. Participants from all regions of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan took part in the online training.

Training results

            Participants know:

• basic information about the trends and challenges in the world
• how to distinguish a fact from a fake and a factoid
• to recognize "hate speech" during the election campaign
• how to use basic fact-checking tools to verify the authenticity of photos, videos, websites during elections

2. Intersectionality Assessment (IA) Report

Overview:

The Intersectionality Assessment (IA) conducted by the Yuksalish movement aimed to uncover and analyze the root causes of discrimination affecting political rights access for marginalized groups in Uzbekistan. Through collaboration with IFES, the project identified barriers to civic and political participation and outlined strategies to empower individuals with multiple marginalized identities.

Key Activities:

Conducted eight FGDs and 18 KIIs, ensuring diverse participation and collaboration with local NGOs.

Distributed online questionnaires and compiled responses from approximately 300 participants.

Organized a post-assessment event to share findings with civil society and media stakeholders.

Findings:

Identified gaps in civic education and knowledge among marginalized groups.

Highlighted patterns in civic engagement influenced by age, gender, and disability status.

Addressed barriers to political participation and recommended inclusive policy-making approaches.

Recommendations:

Enhance civic education programs targeting young people, especially those with disabilities.

Ensure accessibility in civic and political spaces, including materials and communication.

Advocate for policies that consider the needs of marginalized groups and encourage their involvement in the policy-making process.

Establish regular feedback mechanisms and conduct ongoing research to monitor progress.

Conclusion:

The IA provides insights into the challenges faced by marginalized groups in civic and political engagement. Through targeted recommendations and continuous efforts, the project aims to foster a more inclusive and representative democratic process in Uzbekistan.

3. Youth Engagement in Uzbekistan: Promoting Civic Leadership and Fact-Based Media Coverage

Overview:

The Yuksalish movement successfully organized a series of youth stakeholder discussions and supported media contests in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). These initiatives aimed to empower young people, promote fact-based media coverage, and encourage youth involvement in political processes in Uzbekistan.

Youth Stakeholder Discussions:

Location: Fergana, Samarkand, and Tashkent regions

Participants: Engaged youth, political representatives, and civil society stakeholders

Key Insights: Discussions highlighted the diverse interests and contributions of young people, addressing challenges such as gender inequality and access to education. Participants proposed solutions to enhance youth leadership and civic engagement, emphasizing the importance of inclusive policies and support networks.

Media Contests:

Location: Tashkent city

Participants: Youth participants and media professionals

Key Insights: Participants showcased their media engagement experiences and discussed the importance of fact-based media coverage. The winner of the media contest exemplified the role of media in fostering youth participation in election processes through her insightful article.

Challenges & Recommendations:

Challenges included varying levels of engagement and cultural sensitivities.

Recommendations include implementing inclusive facilitation techniques, developing structured agendas, and offering cultural awareness training.

Conclusion:

The youth engagement initiatives conducted by Yuksalish contribute to fostering a more inclusive and participatory civic environment in Uzbekistan. By empowering young people and promoting fact-based media coverage, these efforts align with IFES’ objectives of enhancing democratic processes and citizen participation in the country.