EU Counteraction to Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference: EUC2FIMI

Programme(s): Erasmus+ (ERASMUS+)

Topic(s): ERASMUS-JMO-2024-MODULE

Type of action: ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants

Project ID: 101172342

Objective:

The project is aimed to deliver advanced and critical knowledge on how the EU counteracts foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) operations. This Module is to consider such topics as the EU security policy in the context of information and psychological operations threats; the EU’s understanding of the “FIMI” concept and the related notions such as “disinformation”, “fakes”, “manipulation” and “propaganda”; actors that conduct FIMI operations in the EU (Russia, China and others) as the threat to European values; FIMI operations as the challenge to the trust in political process and the EU institutions; disinformation that threatens citizens’ health, environment, and security; destructive potential of social media, messengers, and AI; the EU and its Member-States' countermeasures to mitigate FIMI operations: EUvsDisinfo, DISARM, cyber security, open collaboration, etc. The activity includes lectures, conferences, round-tables, experts’ publication activity, and media coverage. Target groups: 1) students and post-graduate students (20 each year); 2) teachers, researchers, civil servants, civil society representatives, and media workers (20 each year). The project is intended to increase the awareness of the EU practice as to exposing FIMI actors, their tactics, techniques and procedures and developing countermeasures to mitigate FIMI. The project issues will contribute to maturing conscious, knowledgeable citizens of Ukraine, who share common European values and democratic principles, are keen supporters of the Eurointegration process and understand that the EU counteracts the FIMI operations for the benefit of whole Europe. Ukraine is in war and such EU experience is of utmost importance since Ukraine has suffered the RF’s FIMI operations since 2013 at least. Participants will use the knowledge and skills in their education, professional and everyday activities. Experts and project participants perform the role of the EU public diplomacy agents.