New €5 Million Programme to Combat Disinformation Launched at Eastern Partnership Civil Society Summit

The European Union launched a €5 million regional programme yesterday to combat foreign information manipulation and disinformation across the Eastern Partnership region. The announcement came during the 2025 Eastern Partnership (EaP) Civil Society Summit in Brussels, addressing growing concerns about information warfare in countries on the EU’s eastern flank.

The initiative will provide support to civil society organizations and independent media in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, including those forced to operate in exile. The programme will develop their capabilities in strategic communication, media literacy, and disinformation countermeasures through capacity building, research support, cross-border cooperation, and direct financial assistance.

Experts note this investment comes at a particularly volatile moment for the region, which faces multiple concurrent challenges. Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine continues to cause widespread suffering and regional instability. Belarus remains under authoritarian repression, while Georgia is experiencing rapid democratic backsliding according to international observers. Moldova recently weathered attempts to destabilize its electoral process, and Armenia faces upcoming elections that will test its democratic institutions.

During the summit’s opening ceremony, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos emphasized the shared nature of disinformation threats across Europe. “Autocrats spread disinformation to weaken our democratic societies. We face the same threats in our Member States and in our neighbouring countries,” Kos said. “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 presided over the EaP Civil Society Award ceremony, presenting honors to two organizations for their exceptional work in challenging environments. The Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism,” a think tank specializing in foreign policy and international security analysis, received recognition for maintaining its operations despite the devastating impact of Russia’s invasion. The organization has become emblematic of Ukrainian civil society’s resilience in defending democratic values under extreme pressure.

The Women’s Association for Rational Development (WARD), an Azerbaijani civil society organization, was also honored for its persistent advocacy for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Azerbaijan, where civil society faces significant operational constraints.

The Eastern Partnership, established in 2009, aims to strengthen political and economic ties between the EU and the six countries in its eastern neighborhood. The relationship has gained renewed strategic importance as Russia has intensified efforts to maintain influence in what it considers its traditional sphere of interest.

The three-day summit, running from December 2-4, brings together civil society representatives and policymakers to discuss the future of regional cooperation, focusing particularly on strengthening civil society resilience against authoritarian pressures.

Media analysts view the EU’s investment in countering disinformation as part of a broader strategy to bolster democratic institutions in countries caught between European integration ambitions and Russian influence. The programme represents a recognition that information warfare has become a central battlefield in the region’s geopolitical struggles.

Civil society leaders attending the summit welcomed the initiative but emphasized the need for sustained support beyond financial investment, including diplomatic pressure on governments restricting civic space and media freedom. Several organizations highlighted the increasing sophistication of disinformation campaigns targeting the region, often amplified through social media and sometimes supported by state actors.

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, which organizes the annual summit, serves as a platform for coordination between civil society organizations across the region and maintains ongoing dialogue with EU institutions on regional priorities and challenges.