Enhancing Media and Emotional Resilience to Guard Democracy in Europe

forthcoming

"Across Europe, young people are exposed to a stream of emotionally manipulative, polarising content online. As AI-generated disinformation grows more sophisticated, it threatens democratic resilience. Most responses focus on fact-checking, neglecting the psychological triggers that foster distrust, division, and disengagement. EMERGE fills this gap by enhancing citizens' ability to navigate digital environments critically. Focusing on the psychological triggers of disinformation, it teaches media and emotional literacy through a gamified, interactive learning Platform co-created with experts and users across Europe. Aligned with CERV-CITIZENS-CIV Priority 2, EMERGE promotes inclusive innovative methods to counter disinformation and manipulation in democratic debates. By targeting both content and emotional manipulation, it empowers communities to become self-aware, resilient, and engaged. Key deliverables & activities include: A Media and Emotional Literacy Platform, integrating knowledge on digital media, emotional resilience, and AI-driven manipulation Tools for young people (16–30) to recognise and resist emotional manipulation Training programmes for educators, youth workers, and CSOs A gender-sensitive approach addressing hate speech’s intersection with misogyny, racism, and inequality A Europe-wide awareness campaign to engage the broader public and amplify impact Ongoing transnational collaboration to ensure long-term sustainability. The consortium will implement 13 WPs and host 74+ local and EU events in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Greece, Belgium, and Austria—directly reaching 2,100 citizens and indirectly engaging over 150,000 via media and multipliers. By focusing on emotional triggers, EMERGE empowers users to control their cognitive and emotional responses to disinformation. This focus on ""how"" we think and ""how"" we feel represents a paradigm shift in resisting disinformation, urgently needed in today’s AI-driven, hyper-polarised digital landscape."