The volume and speed by which threat actors deploy foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) operations, empowered by advanced AI, is dangerously undermining democratic countries, electoral integrity and institutions.
The FIMI Defenders For Election Integrity (FDEI) consortium brings together ten organisations to develop a multistakeholder FIMI framework for elections to effectively monitor, respond and counter FIMI threats prior to and during elections while at the same time strengthening FIMI defenders communities and democratic institutions in four selected countries.
The project, involving members of the Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (FIMI-ISAC) and EU DisinfoLab, is developing a Data Standardized Tool (DST) that will address the challenge of integrating diverse data formats from social media platforms into a unified evidence database, and improve interoperability, accuracy, and response times for analysing and countering FIMI campaigns. In addition, national and international FIMI Response Teams will provide support and capacity-building to local organisations, media outlets, and government institutions, in identifying and mitigating FIMI threats as well as create a training program consisting of Pre-election Training Sessions/Simulation Game and a Self-Paced Online Training Programs to increase defenders communities’ efficiency and interoperability. Special attention will be given to minority groups, as FIMI attacks frequently target them, including immigrants, communities based on gender or race, and the LGBTQ+ community.
By 2026, FIMI defenders communities will have increased capacity, efficiency and interoperability in countering FIMI attacks before and during the elections, supported by standardised communication channels and data process automation. The project hopes to have trained at least 200 participants from countries with upcoming elections across Europe, Asia and Africa to effectively counter FIMI. Finally, the DST aims to reduce monitoring and analysis costs for FIMI analysts across the 4 project selected countries by 50% while increasing effectiveness by 60%. Under the FIMI Defenders for Election Integrity (FDEI) project, we have published a series of in-depth country reports assessing Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) threats in recent and upcoming elections. These reports provide evidence-based insights and risk assessments to help protect democratic processes from manipulation and interference.
Project name: FIMI Defenders For Election Integrity (FDEI)
Duration: January 2025 – January 2027
REPORTS
Czechia: Country Election Risk Assessment
This report assesses the risks shaping Czechia’s electoral environment ahead of the 3–4 October 2025 elections, examining how Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), domestic polarisation, and a saturated media landscape are undermining trust in democratic institutions and deepening societal fractures.
FIMI Response Team Report: Moldova: Country Election Risk Assessment (CERA)
This Country Election Risk Assessment (CERA) evaluates Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and its impacts on electoral integrity. It focuses on Moldova’s pre-election period, examining influence operations, deceptive narratives, and societal vulnerabilities, while drawing lessons from prior elections.
Country Report: Assessment of FIMI in the 2025 German Federal Election
Foreign and domestic actors exploited societal divides ahead of Germany’s 2025 federal election. Russian-aligned campaigns used AI, bots and media impersonation to spread disinformation, distort engagement and undermine democratic trust.
Poland: Country Election Risk Assessment (CERA)
This report assesses the risks posed by Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) to the integrity of the upcoming Polish Presidential Elections in May 2025. This assessment identifies key threats, vulnerabilities, and potential consequences based on lessons learned from the 2023 parliamentary elections and current geopolitical tensions.
Country Report: Assessment of FIMI in the Polish Presidential Election
This report provides a critical assessment of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) during the election period of the 2025 Polish presidential elections. It examines the methods employed, key perpetrators, evolving tactics, and the efficacy of defensive responses.
FIMI-ISAC Collective Findings I: Elections
This report illustrates the FIMI-ISAC’s data-sharing approach to provide a more comprehensive view of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) in elections, merging individual analysis into a broader perspective encompassing contributions from multiple members.