Empowering Public Watchdogs to Counter Disinformation and Strengthen Democratic Resilience in Europe

forthcoming

CIVIC_ACT strengthens democratic resilience by empowering public watchdogs—journalists, civil society organisations, youth, digital creators, academia, and policymakers—to counter disinformation, resist SLAPP intimidation, and defend democratic debate across Europe. The project’s main objectives are to: (1) build critical capacities in AI literacy, cybersecurity, media literacy, and public-interest storytelling; (2) foster cross-sector alliances for countering disinformation; (3) reinforce legal protections for journalists and civic actors; and (4) influence EU and national policies to create safer environments for journalism and civic engagement. These objectives will be achieved through a structured work plan organised into four phases. The project begins with stakeholder alignment and the creation of a Digital Resource Hub. It then delivers practical capacity-building activities such as CivicAI Labs, Civic Innovation Hackathons, and Storytelling Labs. Civic Dialogues and a European SLAPP Civic Solidarity Forum will deepen cross-sector engagement and solidarity against legal intimidation and manipulation campaigns. Finally, CIVIC_ACT ensures strategic advocacy impact through an EU Civic Advocacy Event, continuous webinars, and a Knowledge Capitalisation and Virtual Summit to consolidate lessons learned and foster sustainability. Gender mainstreaming, non-discrimination, and accessibility are systematically integrated throughout all phases of the project cycle.CIVIC_ACT’s relevance to the work programme is clear: it contributes directly to CERV Priority 2 by increasing citizens’ resilience to disinformation, strengthening democratic participation, safeguarding media freedom, and promoting EU values including non-discrimination, pluralism, and the rule of law. The project aligns fully with the EDAP, the Defence of Democracy Package, the Anti-SLAPP Directive, and the EMFA, ensuring robust, sustainable, and scalable impact at both national and European levels.