Cairo, Egypt –  The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), Institute of National Planning (INP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt, marked the completion of the “Addressing Misinformation and Disinformation in Egypt” initiative, which has equipped young people and media professionals with practical skills to identify, verify and counter false and misleading information. The initiative combined evidence-based training, tailored learning materials and a nationwide awareness campaign to strengthen media and digital literacy and promote responsible digital citizenship in Egypt.

As digital platforms increasingly shape how people access and share information, misinformation and disinformation pose growing challenges to public trust, social cohesion and sustainable development. Young people are particularly central to this evolving information landscape, both as highly active users of digital platforms and as important agents for promoting more responsible information sharing within their communities.

To respond to these challenges, the initiative was developed through an evidence-based and participatory process, beginning with a comprehensive assessment of needs and consultations with government institutions, academia, media professionals, legal experts, civil society and technology stakeholders. The process identified key vulnerabilities and informed the development of practical interventions tailored to the Egyptian context.

At the heart of the initiative are five specialized training manuals for youth and media professionals. Three youth manuals were developed in English, Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian colloquial Arabic, alongside two manuals for media professionals in English and Arabic, making the materials accessible to different audiences and supporting their wider use.

The curricula cover critical thinking, media and digital literacy, fact checking and source verification, digital citizenship, online safety, and the ethical and legal dimensions of sharing information. They also address emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence-generated content and the psychological and social factors that can drive the spread of misinformation.

Through four rounds of interactive training, the initiative trained more than 120 young people from universities and diverse backgrounds across Egypt, equipping participants with practical tools to evaluate information, identify manipulation techniques and make informed decisions before sharing content online. A Training of Trainers programme was also implemented to enable trained youth leaders to transfer their knowledge to peers and communities and help establish a locally owned mechanism for expanding information literacy efforts.

H.E. Gohar Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports, said: “This pioneering initiative has equipped more than 100 young men and women with the skills to identify, verify and counter misinformation. It reflects our National Youth and Sports Strategy and our commitment to empowering young people with the awareness and capacities they need to lead the future.”

From his side, H.E. Prof. Dr. Ashraf El Araby, President of the Institute of National Planning, said: “We are proud of a programme that has benefited young people from across Egypt, as well as journalists and media professionals. Strengthening awareness and understanding of critical development issues is at the heart of INP’s mission, and this initiative is an important contribution to that effort.”

Ms. Chitose Noguchi, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt, said: “Misinformation and disinformation erode trust, weaken institutions and strain the social fabric that holds communities together. Information integrity is not only a media or technology issue; it is a development issue, because access to reliable information and trust are essential for communities to move forward.”

Beyond the training rooms, UNDP and the Ministry of Youth and Sports launched the nationwide #صحصح_وصحح social media campaign to translate digital and media literacy concepts into accessible, youth-focused content. Through short-form videos, interactive challenges, polls and practical information, the campaign encouraged young people to pause, verify and think critically before sharing information online.

Between May and July 2025, the 12-week campaign generated 6.2 million impressions, reached more than 2.05 million users and recorded 96,480 public mentions, significantly extending the initiative’s reach beyond those participating directly in the trainings.

The initiative contributes to Egypt’s broader priorities on youth empowerment, digital transformation and social cohesion, while supporting progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. By combining practical capacity building, accessible knowledge products and public awareness, it provides a foundation for strengthening digital resilience and responsible participation in Egypt’s rapidly evolving information environment.

The five training manuals developed through the initiative are designed to support the continued transfer of knowledge and practical skills, helping young people and media professionals navigate an increasingly complex digital information environment and contribute to a safer, more informed and resilient society.

About UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. In Egypt, UNDP works with the Government of Egypt and development partners to advance sustainable development, inclusive growth, climate action, digital transformation and effective governance.