About Bridging Continents

Bridging Continents is a collaborative education initiative that brings together young people from Africa and Europe to explore and address critical social challenges in a rapidly digitalising world. The project consists of three interconnected youth schools held in Uganda, Kenya, and Italy, focusing on digital literacy and (health-related) misinformation amongst diverse youth (Uganda), social entrepreneurship and youth empowerment (Kenya), and cultural diversity & migrant inclusion (Italy).   

Through a mix of workshops, community engagement, and intercultural dialogue, students and youth co-create solutions that address real-world issues across borders and disciplines. 

Why This Matters 

In an era of misinformation, migration, and increasing societal division, Bridging Continents aims to empower young people to become critical thinkers, digital citizens, and community changemakers. By fostering cross-cultural collaboration and hands-on learning, the schools offer students the chance to co-create impactful solutions to shared global challenges. 

Interdisciplinary. International. Impactful. 

School 1: Uganda 

Digital Literacy & Health Misinformation  

In collaboration with Kampala International University (KIU) and the NGO Junior Achievement Uganda, this school explores digital media (il)literacy (DML) and health misinformation among diverse youth, such as urban, rural, and refugee youth aged 12–24. This is especially relevant since Uganda is home to nearly 2 million refugees, the largest refugee population on the African continent. 

Participants—university students, local youth, refugee youth, and community leaders—work together to develop tools for identifying and countering health-related misinformation and problems related to digital (il)literacy in the various contexts in which these youths live, from big urban hubs to rural towns and refugee camps. Using a Community-Based Education and Service model, this school fosters local engagement, co-creation of knowledge, and critical digital skills. 

Key Outcome: A co-produced podcast sharing cross-cultural youth voices and lived experiences around misinformation and digital health.

School 2: Kenya 

Youth Resilience, Social Entrepreneurship & Digital Empowerment 

Located in Kibera, Nairobi, one of Africa’s largest urban slums, this school addresses the resilience and political empowerment of disadvantaged youth. The program explores how digital media can support social entrepreneurship and amplify underrepresented voices. 

Youth participants collaborate with academics and practitioners to develop creative solutions to urban challenges, focusing on digital inclusion and civic agency. 

Focus Areas: political participation, digital storytelling, and grassroots innovation.  

School 3: Italy 

Refugee Inclusion in an Age of Polarisation 

As far-right movements and polarisation grow across Europe, this school investigates how local communities are responding with inclusive, welcoming initiatives for refugees and migrants. Held in Italy, this school highlights grassroots models that counter xenophobia with creativity and compassion. 

Participants learn from activists, policymakers, and community organisers working to build bridges in divided societies, with an emphasis on intercultural exchange and practical approaches to inclusion. 

Goal: To gather and share lessons on fostering community cohesion in a digital, divided world.