Scope:

1. Analysis and Monitoring Methodology and Innovative Tools for Understanding Polarisation

A central theme of this pilot project is the development of a neutral and scientifically sound approach to analysing political discourse and polarisation. Proposals should outline how they will combine advanced sentiment, discourse and network analysis to map trends, narratives and influential actors that contribute to political polarisation across the EU. While the priority focus remains on EU Member States, the proposed methodology and its implementation may also examine candidate countries, e.g. those that exhibit vulnerabilities. The methodology must be demonstrably objective, covering a balanced spectrum of political viewpoints and ensuring that data collection and analysis are transparent, reliable and unbiased.

2. European Regional Knowledge Exchange and Implementation Pathways for Social Cohesion

The initiative includes a pan-EU conference in Month 3 of the project, designed to surface, validate, and cross-pollinate effective on-the-ground de-polarisation and social cohesion initiatives, informing the project’s methodology and tooling. From the outset of the action, this conference and the necessary preparations will run in parallel with the development of the Analysis and Monitoring Methodology and Innovative Tools for Understanding Polarisation. The conference will serve as the joint starting point for activities 1 and 2: actors from the field will present their ideas, and the initial concept of the methodology and tools will be presented and discussed with participants. It should also map already existing initiatives, tools and technologies to avoid duplication, create synergies and foster collaboration.

3. Collaboration and Practical Mitigation Strategies

Equally important is the commitment to build cross-sector and cross-border partnerships that translate analytical insights into practical actions. Proposals should show how they will work and cooperate with relevant stakeholders to develop, test, and scale realistic mitigation strategies that counter harmful effects of polarisation without restricting open, democratic debate. Sharing lessons learned and best practices will help ensure that project results can also inform future EU policy and strengthen societal resilience across Member States.

A wide range of activities can be funded under this call. These activities could involve, but do not have to be limited to:

• Pan-European and/or regional convenings and knowledge exchange.
• Methodology design and multilingual data collection.
• Development of IT-based tools
• IT and AI tooling R&D under EU rules.
• Model training, evaluation, and fairness
• Monitoring and reporting infrastructure.
• Intervention design, piloting, and evaluation.
• Producing briefs/reports/overviews and analysis.
• European User Network and capacity building
• Dissemination, policy interface, and sustainability.

This pilot project is expected to produce concrete, actionable outcomes that help better understand and address the drivers of political polarisation, while safeguarding freedom of expression and supporting balanced, evidence-based public debate. The results will contribute directly to the Democracy Shield and strengthen long-term social cohesion and democratic resilience.

Expected impacts include:

• A neutral, scientifically validated methodology for monitoring and analysing online political discourse across different Member States and languages, providing policymakers and stakeholders with reliable data and insights into how polarising narratives develop, spread and interact online.
• A set of advanced AI-powered tools and techniques for multilingual sentiment, discourse and network analysis, designed and tested to ensure transparency, neutrality and compliance with GDPR and the Digital Services Act, and adaptable for future research and policy needs.
• Evidence-based mitigation strategies and recommendations that translate analytical findings into practical measures for countering polarisation and disinformation online, while fully respecting freedom of speech and the diversity of political expression in the EU.
• Established cross-sector collaboration networks that bring together technology experts, fact-checkers, researchers, media organisations and civil society actors, creating a strong foundation for sustained knowledge-sharing, policy support and alignment with broader EU initiatives such as the Democracy Shield, in particular with the announced common research framework.