Before they Hate: Tackling hate speech as manifestations of racism and misogyny through prevention in youth work

<< Background >>We launched this project to tackle the growing issue of hate speech, which fuels racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination, threatening youth and their wellbeing. Hate speech discourages marginalized groups from participating in society and reinforces attitudes that justify violence. Recognizing the need for stronger educational tools, we developed this initiative to help young people identify, challenge, and prevent hate speech, particularly in online spaces where it spreads easily.Our consortium identified gaps in existing resources addressing the intersection of misogyny and racism in youth-focused violence prevention. Through innovative, non-formal education methods, we equip youth workers with the skills and confidence to navigate this sensitive topic. At the same time, we empower young people (ages 13–20) to create inclusive spaces where everyone—regardless of race, gender, or minority status—feels safe, valued, and supported.<< Objectives >>By implementing this project, we aimed to develop comprehensive prevention tools to combat hate speech, particularly in the online sphere, where it is increasingly prevalent. Our primary goal was to raise awareness about the harmful impact of hate speech and its role in fostering violence, discrimination, and exclusion.We sought to empower youth workers with innovative, non-formal educational methods and training materials to confidently address hate speech and its intersections with racism and misogyny. Additionally, we aimed to equip young people aged 13–20 with critical thinking skills, practical tools, and the confidence to challenge hate speech in their environments.Ultimately, we intended to foster inclusive and diverse spaces for young people, promoting European values of equality, civic engagement, and non-discrimination while recognizing the intersectional nature of these issues. By achieving these objectives, we aimed to contribute to long-term social change and the prevention of violence in youth communities.<< Implementation >>The B4H8 project started with desk research to analyze the intersections of misogyny, racism, and xenophobia in online hate speech. This research involved analyzing publications, conducting surveys, and facilitating interviews, with evaluations in partner countries to ensure data accuracy. Based on these insights, the project developed the Educational Model, with collaborative content creation by partners. The model underwent two rounds of evaluation in Belgium and Denmark, incorporating feedback from youth workers and young people. It was digitized for both in-person and online use and translated into Icelandic, Spanish, and Danish.The project also produced the short film Geltu, with script consultations and youth engagement workshops to ensure authentic storytelling. Filming took place in Iceland, involving youth from all partner countries. Post-production included editing, subtitling, and preparing the film for festivals. A photo campaign was developed by recruiting participants, conducting interviews, and curating materials, integrated with the Educational Model and supported by a social media strategy. Finally, an Advocacy Strategy was developed, including policy recommendations and engagement sessions with policymakers.<< Results >>The B4H8 project resulted in several concrete outputs across multiple work packages to combat hate speech and promote inclusion. Comprehensive desk research on misogyny, racism, and xenophobia informed the development of our Educational Model. Tested with youth workers and young people, it incorporated their feedback for relevance and effectiveness. Available in English, Icelandic, Spanish, and Danish, it connects human rights, democratic participation, and hate speech issues, fostering critical thinking on inclusion and civic engagement in digital spaces. The project produced Geltu, a short film highlighting youth experiences with hate speech. It won best short film at the LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival and Eddan in the category of material for youth and children. Contracts have been made to show the film on national television in Iceland and in every youth center in Reykjavík. A photo campaign across partner countries showcased resilience and raised awareness through impactful visual storytelling.We focused on advocacy by drafting a strategy to engage policymakers and encourage systemic changes in youth work policies, supported by robust dissemination activities.