Project duration: 31/12/2024 – 30/04/2027
Project number: 2024-1-DE02-KA220-ADU-000246958
CJ SUPERHEROES is an Erasmus+ co-funded project focused on empowering ordinary citizens to become responsible and impactful citizen journalists. In today’s digital age, with smartphones and social media, anyone can share news and stories, uncover important local issues, and give a voice to people and topics often overlooked by mainstream media. This creates a powerful opportunity for communities to engage actively in public discussions and social change.
However, without proper guidance, citizen journalism carries risks. These include spreading misinformation, violating privacy rights, or exposing people to harm. CJ SUPERHEROES addresses these challenges by equipping NGOs and adult educators with the training, tools, and knowledge needed to guide citizen journalists toward ethical and accurate reporting.
The project develops innovative educational resources, such as easy-to-use lesson plans and a gamified “Card Box” that makes learning about journalism skills interactive and fun. These tools help educators teach important topics including fact-checking, ethical reporting, data protection, and digital safety. By improving media literacy and critical thinking, the project supports citizens in navigating the complex information environment responsibly.
CJ SUPERHEROES also involves organising training sessions for educators and community leaders, who then train aspiring citizen journalists. Local workshops engage communities directly, helping people develop practical skills in citizen reporting. To celebrate and encourage excellence, the project runs an international competition showcasing outstanding stories created by citizen journalists across Europe.
The overall goal is to promote active citizenship, strengthen civil society, and enhance public discourse by empowering people to tell authentic stories about their communities. This helps foster trust, transparency, and democratic participation in an era when the media landscape is rapidly changing due to technology and AI.
The project began in December 2024 and brings together partners from Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, and Spain. Together, we are working to ensure that citizen journalism grows in quality and impact – making communities stronger and more informed across Europe.
