New €5 million regional programme against disinformation launched at 2025 Eastern Partnership Civil Society Summit

A new €5 million regional programme aimed at detecting and countering foreign information manipulation, interference and disinformation in the Eastern Partnership region was launched at the 2025 Eastern Partnership (EaP) Civil Society Summit, held in Brussels from 2 to 4 December.

The programme will benefit civil society organisations and independent media in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, and those operating in exile. It will focus on strengthening their capacity to engage in strategic communication, enhancing media literacy, and tackling disinformation. Actions will include capacity building, research and analysis, cross-border resilience building, and financial support.

“Autocrats spread disinformation to weaken our democratic societies. We face the same threats in our Member States and in our neighbouring countries,” said Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. “To protect freedom and democracy in Europe, all Europeans need to work together. Independent media and active civic spaces in our neighbourhood are part of Europe’s democratic safety net.”

Commissioner Kos also participated in the Civil Society Award ceremony, the annual recognition granted by the EaP Civil Society Forum to outstanding and courageous work by individuals or organisations from the region. She presented the 2025 awards to the Foreign Policy Council ‘Ukrainian Prism’ and the Women’s Association for Rational Development (WARD) from Azerbaijan.

‘Ukrainian Prism’, a think tank focused on foreign policy and international security, was honoured for its continued engagement despite the devastating impact of Russia’s war of aggression.

The WARD, a civil society organisation from Azerbaijan advocating for gender equality, women’s empowerment and participation, was recognised for its efforts to advance gender equality for all women and men, girls and boys in the country.

The 2025 Eastern Partnership (EaP) Civil Society Summit is an annual event, bringing together EU and Eastern Partnership civil society organisations and decision-makers to discuss the future shape of multilateral cooperation under the Eastern Partnership, the role of civil society, and ways to strengthen its resilience.

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Press release