TechSoup’s Disinformation and Civil Society Regional Mapping Reports Highlight Key Democracy Challenges Across Europe

TechSoup, through its Digital Activism Program (DAP), has released a series of comprehensive Regional Mapping Reports that illuminate the critical challenges and urgent needs of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across Europe. Developed through a collective effort with TechSoup Global Network Partners across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), these reports provide a detailed look at the pressing issues faced by CSOs in the Western Balkans, Black Sea, Baltic, and Visegrad regions.

The reports reveal significant findings, including:

• Western Balkans: CSOs are grappling with political instability, ethnic tensions, and pervasive disinformation, all intensified by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

• Black Sea Region: Corruption, political instability, and Russian-backed disinformation campaigns are undermining democratic values and targeting vulnerable groups, especially Ukrainian refugees.

• Baltic Region: Financial constraints and disinformation threats are testing the resilience of CSOs in Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, highlighting the need for stronger regional cooperation and digital literacy.

• Visegrad Region: CSOs in Hungary and Slovakia face intense political pressures and financial instability, compounded by pro-Russian disinformation, while those in Poland and the Czech Republic struggle with declining international funding.

These reports, created as part of TechSoup’s Digital Activism Program and available online free-of-charge, underscore the essential role of CSOs in defending democracy and social cohesion across Europe, particularly in regions under significant political and economic pressure. The findings also emphasize the need for increased financial support, strategic communication, and international collaboration to strengthen the resilience of these organizations.

“Our Regional Mapping Reports offer a vital snapshot of the disinformation landscape across 13 countries as well as challenges and opportunities facing civil society in Europe,” said Daniel Milo, Countering Disinformation Subject Matter Expert, TechSoup. “These insights, made possible by our network of partners across CEE, are crucial for countering disinformation effectively and supporting CSOs in their mission to uphold democratic values.”

The full reports are now available for public access on the Hive Mind Community website, the main learning hub for TechSoup’s Digital Activism Program, and are expected to serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, media, and civil society leaders across Europe.

The Report for the Western Balkans is available in the publication section.

Share: