The Baltic Youth Mediathon brought together aspiring content creators from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for a dynamic event focused on innovation in media. The highlight? A winning team that tackled cryptocurrency fraud, securing the top spot in the economics category with an insightful and well-researched strategy.

Held on February 1 in Riga, the Mediathon was the culmination of a regional initiative designed to boost media literacy and critical thinking among youth aged 18–23. Participants were grouped into mixed teams to develop impactful media content strategies across six key themes: environment, health, economics, culture and entertainment, social issues, and politics.

Preparing the Next Generation of Media Makers

Before the competition, participants attended national media training sessions on January 18 at DELFI newsrooms in Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. These sessions were led by local media experts and explored questions such as:

  • What is media, and how does it function in society?

  • How does social media differ from traditional media?

  • What is the role of fact-checking and data visualization in journalism?

  • How do algorithms shape our online content consumption?

Participants also gained hands-on experience with mobile journalism tools and were given a behind-the-scenes look at DELFI newsroom operations.

Cross-Border Collaboration and Expert Mentorship

The top 10 candidates from each Baltic country were invited to the Mediathon in Riga, where they collaborated in international teams. Under the guidance of seasoned mentors—Filips Lastovskis (DELFI Latvia), Rasa Lukaitytė-Vnarauskienė (DELFI Lithuania), Erik Moora (DELFI Estonia), and Inese Braže (Re:Baltica)—the teams crafted and presented their strategies.

Projects were evaluated on:

  • Topical relevance

  • Source credibility and fact-checking

  • Audience engagement

  • Visual communication and distribution

  • Innovation and teamwork

Standout Ideas and Inspiring Energy

“The event showcased the incredible creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration of young people across the Baltics,” said Filips Lastovskis, head of the jury. “Their solutions—ranging from media literacy board games to apps supporting civic engagement—highlight the potential of this generation in shaping a more informed digital landscape.”

Among the standout ideas were:

  • A board game teaching media literacy concepts

  • Social media campaigns addressing financial fraud

  • An app helping young voters compare political platforms

Winning Team: Tackling Crypto Scams Head-On

The winning team—Janete Olev (EE), Pauls Zalitis (LV), Karl-Erik Õun (EE), Filips Rasmussens (LV), and Viltė Apolianskaitė (LT)—delivered a compelling campaign targeting the rise of cryptocurrency scams among young audiences.

Their project:

  • Investigated how fraudulent crypto schemes operate

  • Analyzed why young people are particularly vulnerable

  • Created educational visuals and engaging social media content

  • Offered tools and tips for safer online financial decisions

By combining analytical depth with creative communication, the team not only informed but empowered their peers to better navigate digital risks.

About the Initiative

This Mediathon was the final activity of WP4, part of a broader program led by the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence, Tartu University, and DELFI in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Funded under a regional media development effort, the initiative supports young people in becoming responsible digital content creators and resilient media consumers.