Preparatory Actions – European Narratives Observatory to fight Disinformation – Detecting influence campaigns and boosting societal resilience
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The main objective of Preparatory Actions is to prepare future EU actions in various priority policy fields.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The aim of this Call for Proposals is to further build on the results of successful EU projects in the field of narrative analysis and monitoring, notably on the Narratives Observatory Combatting Disinformation in Europe Systemically (NODES), the Predictive Research On Misinformation & Propagation Trajectories (PROMPT) project, as well as the Vera.AI and AI4Trust projects. To further advance the state of the art in the understanding of the impact of narratives on society, as well as the development of concrete methodologies, tools and approaches to monitor and engage with them, this call for proposals will fund two projects.
- The first one will focus on the monitoring of narratives and the detection of malicious campaigns in the EU’s information space.
- The second will focus on assessing the concrete impact that online disinformation has on citizens and propose and implement meaningful strategies to reduce societal polarisation.
Detailed Call Description
The projects will complement the work of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), while ensuring a continuous exchange of information and best practices with the latter on matters related to misleading/harmful narratives and disinformation. Building on the work of the EDMO fact-checking network, including the existing EDMO national and regional hubs funded by the European Commission, this action is expected to provide additional insight on the phenomenon of disinformation by an in-depth analysis of the creation of narratives. The projects will strongly contribute to the EU’s overall objective to advance societal resilience and preparedness, through increased digital and media literacy, as announced in the 2024 – 2029 political guidelines.
This call comprises two distinct topics. It is possible, but not mandatory, to apply to both topics. Applicants who apply to only one of the two topics must clearly indicate the relevant topic in each document.
- Topic 1: Data driven monitoring of narrative spread in Europe and detection of tactics, techniques and procedures to distort online public discourse: The project funded under the first topic of this call for proposals shall focus on the development and testing of concrete products for the monitoring of narratives, as well as the detection of organised attempts to manipulate public discourse. The key priority shall be to significantly advance the state of the art for situational awareness on the prevalence and threat level of disinformation in the EU.
- Topic 2: Analysing the impact of online mis- and disinformation on beliefs held in EU countries, and developing concrete responses. The funded project should work on the ground in at least 10 Member States to identify the extent to which online sources of misinformation and disinformation – also in relation to other sources of information – shapes citizens’ political decisionmaking and societal polarisation. A key priority should be to not only capture the belief into specific false narratives, but also the extent to which misinformation and disinformation overall foster relativistic attitudes, motivated reasoning and societal polarisation. The project should investigate the prevalence of such sentiments with a specific focus on the means through which such beliefs are acquired, discerning the specific impact of online sources of information vis-à-vis other sources of information.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
80%
The EU co-financing is limited to a maximum of 80% of the total eligible costs.
The EU co-financing is limited to a maximum co-funding rate of 80% of the total eligible costs. The Commission expects to fund one project for Topic 1 and one project for Topic 2. However, this does not preclude the submission/selection of a proposal requesting a lower amount.
The grant will be a budget-based mixed actual cost grant (actual costs, with unit cost and flat-rate elements). This means that it will reimburse ONLY certain types of costs (eligible costs) and costs that were actually incurred for your project (NOT the budgeted costs).
Thematic Categories
- Education and training
- Information Technology
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Associations
- Educational Institutions
- Legal Entities
- Local Authorities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies) established in EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs).
Proposals may be submitted by any of the following applicants or combinations of:
- non-profit organisation (private or public);
- non-governmental and civil society organisations;
- universities, educational institutions, research centres;
- profit-making entities; including for example digital technology providers and media.
Other entities may participate in other consortium roles, such as associated partners, subcontractors, third parties giving in-kind contributions, etc.
Consortium composition
For Topic 1: Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 4 applicants, which complies with the following conditions:
- minimum 4 entities from 4 different eligible countries
For Topic 2: Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 6 applicants, which complies with the following conditions:
- minimum 6 entities from 6 different eligible countries.
Affiliated entities to a beneficiary, if any, do not sign the grant and therefore do not become beneficiaries themselves) do not count for the minimum number of applicants . Associated partners, if any, are considered third parties.They do not sign the grant and therefore do not become beneficiaries themselves, are not applicants, not part of the consortium and hence do not count for the minimum number of applicants.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
Questions and requests for clarifications should be sent to the following email address: CNECT-I4@ec.europa.eu