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

Yesterday, at the 2025 Eastern Partnership (EaP) 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. 

The programme will benefit civil society organisations and independent media in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as 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.

This new initiative comes at a critical moment for the Eastern Partnership, as the region faces major challenges. Most notably, the human suffering and instability caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; the ongoing repression in Belarus; the rapid democratic backsliding in Georgia; the persistent hybrid threats and attempts to destabilise Moldova, especially during the recent electoral period; and the upcoming elections in Armenia, representing the next test for democratic institutions.

Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said: “Autocrats spread disinformation to weaken our democratic societies. We face the same threats in our Member States and in our neighbouring countries. 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.”

During the opening evening, 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).

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. This organisation embodies the strength and resilience of Ukrainian civil society, standing firm in defence of democracy and justice despite difficult conditions.

The WARD is 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.

Background

Launched in 2009, the Eastern Partnership aims to strengthen and deepen the political and economic relations between the European Union, its Member States and six countries of the region: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

The 2025 Eastern Partnership (EaP) Civil Society Summit, organised by the EaP Civil Society Forum with EU support, is taking place in Brussels from 2 to 4 December. The annual Summit will bring 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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