This project is part of the European Union’s strategic response to the growing threat of disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), as seen in the increase in cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns originating from Russia and China.
Project partners from Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Spain, France, Belgium, Ukraine and the United Kingdom will work together for three years to study at least 30 cases of FIMI. Based on the analysis of the tactics, techniques and procedures used, the consortium will develop strategies and recommendations to counter FIMI.
“The ATHENA project is not only a response to current threats, but a proactive step towards a safer digital future for Europe,” said David Wright (Trilateral Research), the project coordinator.
The project will also analyse, from a legal perspective, how eight European Union Member States address FIMI, in order to identify areas for improvement in their policies. In addition, it will develop an accessible questionnaire to help citizens identify FIMI they may encounter in their daily lives.
What will Fundación Maldita.es do?
Our journalists and disinformation experts will assess existing and emerging strategies to counter FIMI in order to improve resilience. They will also co-design and evaluate the FIMI disinformation analysis toolbox, the dynamic dashboard to monitor activities and strategies to counter FIMI, and other solutions developed by the consortium. In addition, they will contribute to knowledge-sharing on measures against FIMI to increase overall awareness.
Universities and organisations from 11 countries are taking part in the consortium.
The consortium is made up of:
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Trilateral Research (Ireland)
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The Foundation for Research and Technology (Greece)
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University of Cyprus (Ciprus)
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Bavarian Police Academy (Germany)
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Research Institutes of Sweden (Sweden)
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Laurea University (Finland)
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Eurecat (Spain)
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Storyzy (France)
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Trinity College Dublin (Ireland)
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European Organisation for Security (Belgium)
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EU – DisinfoLab (Belgium)
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University College Dublin (Ireland)
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ISSP (Ukraine)
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Trilateral Research (United Kingdom)
The project has a total budget of €3,000,000, of which Fundación Maldita.es will receive €138,750 over a three-year period. You can find more information at this link.