Project profile — Combatting elections-related foreign information, manipulation and interference

This project aims to advance resilient, inclusive, and gender sensitive democratic societies capable of effectively countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) during electoral periods. Project activities include: (1) conducting context specific mapping of election related FIMI dynamics and assessing the needs and capacities of civil society organizations (CSOs) engaged in counter FIMI efforts; (2) developing methodologies for enhanced situational awareness to identify, monitor and analyze election related FIMI; (3) producing a country specific analytical report outlining key enablers and incentives and offering policy recommendations at various levels; (4) organizing dialogues and capacity building activities to strengthen CSO engagement with stakeholders in countering election related FIMI; (5) facilitating reform oriented policy dialogues to advance CSO policy proposals; and (6) convening a global exchange of good practices to promote cross country learning in combating election related FIMI.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved awareness and knowledge of CSOs to analyze election-related FIMI; (2) improved awareness and knowledge of CSOs on bettering demand accountability from stakeholders involved in addressing election-related FIMI; (3) improved awareness and knowledge of the CSOs to engage with representative institutions to co-design solutions against election-related FIMI that are gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory; and (4) improved awareness and knowledge among policymakers and oversight agencies on the need to strengthen political finance and legal frameworks against election-related FIMI.

Results achieved as of March 2025 include: (1) scoped missions in Moldova, North Macedonia and Senegal to assess country specific needs, CSO and partner networks, and policy reform opportunities; and (2) developed a global methodology for analyzing FIMI incentives and enablers.