Butterfly-Social

Work Packages

Work Package 1

Definition of Information suppression and mapping main practices and threats

In order to understand the use of information suppression in a systematic manner, this WP will (1) assess and discuss its definition and operationalise the concept to identify indicators and practices. That will allow to carry out (2) a mapping of the countries outside the EU using information suppression. This WP also aims to (3) better understand how to protect fundamental rights and freedoms from possible threats stemming from the use of information suppression as part of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) by authoritarian regimes. For that, it is important to (4) improve knowledge on the most common threats derived from information suppression, as well as categorise them in order to ascertain the impact of these practices in politics, social cohesion and democracy as a whole.

Lead partner: URJC

Work Package 2

Inventory of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used to suppress information

The overall objective of WP2 is to deliver a compendium of the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used to target different groups of the nations identified in the case studies during WP1, within the geographic analysis coverage. The WP2 will build on existing initiatives and tools (such as project WeVerify and the DISARM framework ) and will further work on the innovative methodologies and tools developed. In addition, work will be complemented by social network analysis to track case studies, involvement of the stakeholder’s communities, and reliability tests conducted, within the geographic scope. The WP2 will also study the countermeasures used to respond to the TTPs used – if any – at the national, and where applicable, at the EU level, aiming to identify their impact. An additional axis to this work will be the identification of the requirements for FIMI detection for stakeholders’ communities, including journalists, civil society, and law enforcement communities.

Lead partner: KEMEA

Work Package 3

Social, behavioural, and legal analysis of FIMIs

The aim of the WP is to:

  • Identify and analyses the vulnerability and resilience of certain communities to tackle FIMIs;
  • Provide an overview and analysis of behavioural changes and awareness of host states on the threats and risks of FIMIs for community activism.

This WP describes and analyses legal frameworks and instruments available to stem FIMI activities conducted by state actors and non-state actors. For this research, particular attention is paid to understanding what impacts these instruments and tools have on the protection of certain communities. The WP accordingly includes activities of social behavioural analysis of potential threats against certain organizations and activists and the means of protection they find (or not find) in the law of the host states.

Lead partner: VUB

Work Package 4

Definition of Methodological Tools and Recommendations

The WP aims at enhancing the detection and tackling of information suppression in the EU, associated and third countries, proposing:

  • the definition of an analytical methodology for the identification and analysis of information suppression operations;
  • policy recommendations for vulnerability reduction to information suppression, as well as target protection;
  • to discuss the project’s main findings with a dialogue between target groups involved in addressing FIMI from the research, operational and policy-making points of view;
  • to synthesize the methodological tools and recommendations towards the target groups addressing the threats posed by FIMI.

Lead partner: FORMIT

Work Package 5

Dissemination, Communication, Sustainability and Exploitation

The aim of WP5 is to implement necessary actions to ensure that the project will have long-term sustainability through efficient dissemination activities and communication of the results of the project to the target groups (stakeholders and the general public) with regard to the EU funding of the project. Therefore, this WP will elaborate on and implement:

  • a dissemination and communication plan;
  • an exploitation and sustainability plan;
  • produce the dissemination and exploitation materials;
  • create and maintain the project’s website and social media;
  • organise conferences and workshops, including the final conference.

The relevant stakeholders will be engaged during the project’s lifetime through the means of communication and dissemination and also beyond the lifetime of the project. Public awareness will be raised through a communication strategy in connection with the virtual presence of the project and social media activities.

Lead partner: BayHfoD

Work Package 6

Project Management

The aim of the WP is to provide efficient and sound coordination of the project in terms of:

  • day-to-day coordination of the activities ensuring regular communication with the Funding Authority, as well as administration and financial monitoring and management in the context of the project reporting;
  • coordination of the information security measures and data management aspects;
  • monitoring and coordination of the ethics and legal issues related to the research aspects of the project;
  • activation and management of the project boards with the appointed chairpersons.

Lead partner: FORMIT