In a mid-sized Georgian city, a group of young people aged 16–20 noticed a growing problem: plastic waste was accumulating in public spaces, but recycling infrastructure was limited and public awareness was low. Local businesses continued using single-use plastics without pressure to change.

Rather than waiting for authorities to act, the group decided to use the digital tools already in their hands.

Their campaign – #RecycleForChange – involved:
Weekly Instagram posts with clear, well-designed infographics about plastic pollution and its local impact.

• Short videos (60–90 seconds) showing practical recycling steps people could take at home.
• A hashtag challenge: followers were asked to photograph their own recyclin
• Aactions and share them with the hashtag.
• Direct tagging of local government accounts and formal written messages to municipal environmental authorities.
• Collaboration with two local schools, whose students created artwork on recycling themes that was shared on the campaign accounts.Results within 3 months:
• The hashtag reached over 15,000 people — a significant proportion of the city's population.
• Two local businesses changed their packaging practices in response to the sustained public attention.
• The city council invited the youth group to present their findings at a public session on environmental policy.
• One local school adopted the campaign content as part of their environmental education programme.
• The group was invited to share their experience at a national youth conference on digital civic action. 

Analysis: digital citizenship in asction 

Rights used
Freedom of expression: the group exercised their right to share opinions and creative content publicly. Right to information: they shared factual, verified data about plastic pollution.
Responsibilities demonstrated
They verified data before sharing. They communicated respectfully throughout, never targeting individuals. They respected others' copyright when sharing school artwork, using it with permission.
Risks navigated
They avoided spreading unverified claims. They maintained a constructive, solution-focused tone — avoiding the risk of their campaign being dismissed as aggressive or uninformed.
Opportunities leveraged
Civic engagement (tagging authorities, formal messages), creative expression (infographics, videos), community building (hashtag challenge), and global connection (national conference invitation).
Civic impact
Online civic action became offline institutional change: businesses changed practices, a school adopted the content, and local government opened a formal dialogue with the youth group. 

Reflection questions
1.     What digital tools did the young people use — and why do you think each one was effective for their purpose?
2.     Which specific right AND which specific responsibility did the group demonstrate? Give one example of each from the case.
3.     Which of the six digital opportunities from Section 2.3 does this campaign best illustrate? Explain your choice.
4.     Could a similar campaign work in your country or community? What would you do the same — and what would you adapt?