European Democracy Shield
Summary
It will harden democratic resilience by combining early detection of foreign information manipulation, coordinated analysis and rapid response across the Union. A new European Centre for Democratic Resilience will pool national expertise and capacities as the hub for monitoring, attribution and joint action with partners. The Shield will leverage the EU’s FIMI toolbox and the Digital Services Act, expand media- and digital-literacy efforts, and strengthen crisis communication to counter disinformation systematically. It complements a forthcoming Media Resilience Programme supporting independent journalism, and is anchored in upgrades to EU internal-security governance. Work will also address harmful social-media design and youth well-being through expert advice on safeguards and enforcement.
Action items
In the framework of the Digital Services Act
o Prepare a DSA incidents and crisis protocol
o Continue its engagement with signatories of the Code of Conduct on Disinformation to strengthen measures to tackle manipulative techniques online
Support the preparation of an EU Blueprint for countering FIMI and disinformation
Set up a European Network of Fact-Checkers
Extend the mandate of the European Digital Media Observatory
Support setting up a common research support framework to strengthen monitoring of information manipulation and disinformation campaigns
Development by the European Board for Media Services, in consultation with the Commission, of a list of common criteria for EU media regulators when they act against rogue non-EU media operators presenting risks to public security
Reinforce capabilities of EU Delegations, CSDP missions and operations, EU Member State Embassies to counter FIMI
Deploy proactive strategic communication campaigns in priority regions
Provide targeted capacity building and support to EU candidate countries and potential candidates to reinforce resilience to FIMI and hybrid interferences, including through CSDP missions
Leverage international partnerships for collective responses against FIMI, including through the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, EU-NATO cooperation and Security and Defence Partnerships
Support reinforced cooperation with Member States under the European Cooperation Network on Elections (ECNE) to enhance electoral integrity and preparedness
Prepare guidance on the use of AI in electoral processes
Update of the Digital Services Act Elections Toolkit
Support the setting up of a voluntary EU network of influencers
Support common work with the Member States on the transparency and integrity of funding in politics
Prepare a Commission Recommendation and a dedicated guide of best practices on the safety of political candidates and elected representatives
Reinforce cooperation with international election observers to strengthen capacities to monitor disinformation on social media during election observation outside the EU
Review the Audiovisual Media Services Directive
Address challenges to the media ecosystem in the context of the review of the Directive on copyright in the Digital Single Market
Provide guidance to maintain competition and foster media plurality and diversity in the context of the revision of the Merger Guidelines
Assess the fitness of existing State aid rules for public services broadcasting in the evaluation of the 2009 Broadcasting Communication
Launch a Media Resilience Programme to support independent journalism and media literacy
Reinforce measures on the safety of journalists and combating abusive litigation (SLAPP)
Support quality independent media and journalism beyond EU borders
Develop the 2026 Basic Skills Support Scheme for Schools, including citizenship and digital skills
Update the Guidelines for teachers and educators on disinformation and digital literacy
Develop an EU citizenship competence framework along with guidelines to strengthen citizenship education in schools
Support Member States in developing, extending or implementing national or regional action plans on media literacy
Roll out measures on media literacy, with new priorities and a reinforced media literacy community
Prepare an EU democracy guide for citizens
Organise a European Citizens’ Panel on democratic resilience
Promote citizens’ and youth participation, including by reinforcing a network of national authorities on citizens participation, with a training package and a multilingual portal for resources at EU level
Set up a European civic tech hub to support the civic tech sector
Organise a High-Level Event on democracy and an annual award for democratic innovation
Roll out dedicated awareness-raising campaigns by the Commission
Support building voluntary commitments of the private sector to build a business coalition for democracy
Adopt a Commission Recommendation on supporting scientific evidence and its use in public policymaking
Enshrine the freedom of scientific research in EU law under the European Research Area Act
Assess options for the set-up of a European Centre of Expertise on Research Security