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Understanding and Countering Information Manipulation in Central Asia: New Research Highlights FIMI Trends in Kyrgyzstan

By Projects, Research

Understanding and Countering Information Manipulation in Central Asia: New Research Highlights FIMI Trends in Kyrgyzstan

On 21 May 2025, the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) and Internews Europe unveiled the preliminary findings of the pilot study “Tracking Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) Online: Findings from Kyrgyzstan”, funded by the European Union through the “Cultivating Audience Resilience Through Amplification of Vibrant and Authentic Narratives” (CARAVAN) project.

The study, a collaboration between the European Neighbourhood Council, Pikasa Analytics, and Internews Europe, represents a pioneering effort to analyse the evolving FIMI landscape in Kyrgyzstan through a mixed-methods approach that combines supervised Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and qualitative verification.

Meera Selva, CEO of Internews Europe, said: “This research shows the importance of independent, cross-border and collaborative journalism that focuses on local communities. This kind of journalism delivers high-quality, trusted and relevant information that citizens need to make informed decisions about their lives and provides the best antidote to misinformation and manipulation.”

The rapid growth of digital media has opened new avenues for Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) to influence public opinion across the globe. Central Asia has not been immune to the global rise of information manipulation. Recent studies have documented the likely presence of FIMI across the region, often aligning with the geopolitical interests of foreign actors such as Russia and China. The scale and impact of disinformation activity have been particularly exposed during major global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These developments highlight the urgent need for targeted, context-specific research into how foreign information manipulation unfolds across Central Asia’s media environment.

This report presents findings from the first phase of pilot research, focused specifically on Kyrgyzstan. The findings offer a preliminary, yet detailed, portrait of Kyrgyzstan’s evolving FIMI landscape and provide insights aimed at improving methodology on FIMI and supporting policymakers, media professionals, and civil society actors working to strengthen societal resilience against foreign information manipulation and disinformation.

Beyond diagnosis, the research proposes concrete recommendations for national and international actors. These include strengthening digital literacy initiatives, supporting pluralistic and explanatory journalism, developing AI-based monitoring tools tailored to local languages, and fostering transparent media regulation that upholds freedom of expression.

Peter M. Wagner, Head of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, said: “While FIMI is a global horizontal threat, it often needs to be addressed with very targeted and context-specific responses, such as through the EU-funded CARAVAN project, which this research is part of.”

This work forms part of the broader CARAVAN initiative, funded by the European Union, and which is committed to strengthening information resilience across Central Asia.

The executive summary is available here.

New Think Tank Forum Strengthens EU-Central Asia relations ahead of Summit

By Events, Projects

New Think Tank Forum Strengthens EU-Central Asia relations ahead of Summit

On March 19, 2025, the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) and the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA) signed the Memorandum of Understanding and co-hosted the inaugural “Central Asia – EU Think Tank Forum” in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Think Tank Forum is developed within full complementarity of the ongoing EU Central Asia political process and provides a platform for academic and think tank discussion, business and technical-expertise exchange, general foresight and track-1.5 diplomacy. It fulfills the key action of the 2023 Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia, which calls for “facilitating meaningful participation and engagement of civil society and think tanks in decision-making”. It was intentionally organised two weeks before the historical EU Central Asia Summit, assembling Presidents of all five Central Asian Republics with the President of the European Council H.E. Antonio Costa and the President of the European Commission H.E. Ursula von der Leyen in Samarkand.

​​The first launch of the Think Tank Forum brought together 150 participants, including diplomats, think tank leaders, academics, technical experts, business representatives and media from both Central Asia and Europe. The inaugural speeches were made respectively by highest level invitees: Abdulaziz Kamilov (Highest Advisory Role to the President of Uzbekistan and former Foreign Minister), Javlon Vakhabov (Director of IICA and former Amb. to the United States), Samuel Doveri Vesterbye (Director of ENC), Eduards Stiprais (Ambassador level Special Representative to Central Asia for the EEAS), and Toivo Klaar (EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan).

Attention was given to the importance of EU Central Asia relations as well as the “Tashkent Platform” which is an initiative aimed at strengthening partnerships in key areas such as technology & artificial intelligence, trade, critical raw material investment, industrialisation, regional connectivity, education and tourism. ENC emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange, policy coordination, expert views and research-driven decision-making in shaping the future of EU-Central Asia relations.

Other speakers included Peter Vesterbacka (Finland, Entrepreneur, Slush startup ecosystem, and Angry Birds Founder) and Adamas Ilkyavičius (Lithuania, Innovation Expert), who discussed emerging technologies and forward-thinking initiatives. Emmanuel Dupuy (France, President of the Institute for European Perspective and Security), Rick Fawn (UK, Professor of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews), Heinrich Kerstgens (Germany, Corporate Representative at Rhenus Assets & Services), Shairbek Dzhurayev (Kyrgyzstan, President of Crossroads Central Asia), Tahir Zaimoglu (Uzbekistan, Infrastructure Specialist), and Yerlan Zhakupov (Kazakhstan, Head of the Department at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies) addressed regional development and economic integration, while Roman Dovolnov (UK, Senior Manager for Climate Change and Sustainable Development at Ernst & Young) highlighted sustainable practices. Marie Favereau (France, Director of the French Institute for Central Asian Studies) emphasized the importance of academic partnerships. Experts from 16 countries engaged in discussions on cross-border collaboration and future growth, concluding with a commitment to continue dialogue leading up to the next “Central Asia – EU” Summits.

The significance of this forum was further highlighted by the presence of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP), who visited the region last week, as well as the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, who has been in the region in the past weeks. Their engagements underscore the EU’s commitment to deepening its cooperation with Central Asia across multiple sectors with a special focus on logistics, deepened infrastructure networks, energy/renewables, critical raw materials and supply chain investments/trade, as well as digitalisation, security and water management.

During the forum, the IICA and the ENC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen bilateral collaboration and work towards a full strategic partnership with a strong focus on regional integration initiatives under the new platform. The agreement was reached following discussions between IICA Director Javlon Vakhabov and ENC Director Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, focusing on key regional issues and new formats for expert dialogue. This MOU lays the groundwork for a structured relationship that will facilitate follow-up actions in the upcoming EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand on April 3-4, 2025, ensuring continued cooperation and concrete outcomes from the discussions. It guarantees follow-up in expert advice, business-to-business cooperation, impact assessment and support for regional dialogue, educational initiatives, and institutionalised think tank support.

This summit marks a historic milestone as it is the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit to be held in the region. The event will bring together key European and Central Asian leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, to strengthen regional political and economic ties.

ENC is dedicated to maintaining momentum from this forum, ensuring that structured expert dialogues continue to influence EU-Central Asia relations. As part of this commitment, plans have been set in motion to hold the forum biennially, providing a recurring platform for advancing regional cooperation and policy innovation. Through initiatives like this, ENC remains at the forefront of efforts to deepen EU-Central Asia ties, support economic development, and promote regional stability through expert-driven collaboration.

ENC and BHRTR Host Phase II Launch and Stakeholder Consultation for Business and Human Rights Project in İstanbul

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ENC and BHRTR Host Phase II Launch and Stakeholder Consultation for Business and Human Rights Project in İstanbul

On 16th December, the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) and its partner, the Business and Human Rights Association Turkey (BHRTR), hosted a launch and stakeholder consultation event for Phase II of the “Strengthening Business and Human Rights Awareness and Capacity Building of Civil Society Actors” Project, supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Consulate in Istanbul. The event aimed to present findings from the Phase I report on Turkey’s business and human rights (BHR) landscape, outline activities for Phase II, and gather valuable stakeholder feedback.

The event began with opening remarks by Asuman Kübra Baş (ENC Project Manager) and Samuel Doveri Vesterbye (ENC Director), who emphasized the vital role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in implementing new due diligence laws (e.g. LkSG and CSDDD). They highlighted the need for stronger stakeholder collaboration to prevent human rights violations in supply chains. Martin Graf, Deputy Consul General at the German Consulate in Istanbul, stressed the growing awareness of these laws among larger companies while emphasizing the importance of extending this understanding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in his welcoming speech.

The presentation of Phase I findings by Emre Keki (ENC Researcher) and Serra Zoraloglu (Projects and Services Coordinator at BHRTR) revealed significant challenges faced by Turkish companies—particularly SMEs—in understanding and complying with the new regulations. These challenges include limited awareness of legal requirements, a lack of resources and expertise to conduct effective due diligence, and concerns about the impact of compliance on competitiveness.

The event continued with an outline of Phase II activities, which were designed to address the challenges identified in Phase I. As explained by Dr. Çiğdem Çımrın (Co-Founder and Chairperson, BHRTR), Phase II focuses on building the capacity of key stakeholders to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. This includes tailor-made trainings for NGOs, and trade unions, establishment of a dedicated platform for cooperation and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders and several important visibility activities.

The program concluded with a discussion and stakeholder consultation session that brought together representatives from various organizations, including UNDP, FNF Turkey, FES, academics, foundations, unions, and NGOs. Participants explored best practices, potential areas for cooperation, and approaches to addressing shared challenges. This gathering of diverse stakeholders reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling human rights issues and improving environmental standards. The discussions underscored the value of shared learning and capacity building, enabling organizations to better understand and effectively implement due diligence practices.

ENC and Its Partners Have Implemented Erasmus+ Sustainability Project ‘Act for a Better Future’

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ENC and Its Partners Have Implemented Erasmus+ Sustainability Project ‘Act for a Better Future’

The European Neighbourhood Council (ENC), in collaboration with the International Studies and Security Studies Association (ISSR-UÇGA), Bodrum Institute, Sustainable Development Association, and FOTOESSA, successfully concluded the Erasmus+ funded project “Act for a Better Future,” held in Bodrum, Turkey, from September 23-29, 2024. This initiative aimed to raise youth awareness of environmental protection and sustainable living by blending theory with practical experiences.

Over the course of the week, 21 young participants from Belgium, Greece, and Turkey took part in a variety of activities organized by the project team. These included workshops on sustainability ethics, the intersection of environment and gender, and the protection of forests and oceans. Participants also explored Bodrum’s cultural heritage through guided tours highlighting the historical contributions to sustainability. The program incorporated daily inclusive and healthy activities, such as walks and morning sports, promoting well-being alongside environmental consciousness.

A key feature of the project was its focus on intercultural exchange. Participants from three countries shared their diverse perspectives and practices, enriching the learning experience. In addition to the educational benefits, the project fostered networking, enhanced communication skills, and provided opportunities for socializing—all of which will support participants in their future careers.

MEDIATIZED EU presents research results and policy recommendations in final conference

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MEDIATIZED EU presents research results and policy recommendations in final conference

The MEDIATIZED EU project held its final Conference, Mediatized Discourses on Europeanisation: A Changing Landscape, on September 10, 2024, in Brussels. Our researchers showcased key project key results and evidence-based recommendations for EU policy-makers. The conference also brought together top experts on Europeanisation, media freedom and democratic transformations. Watch the video stream of the conference in full, below.

Dr. Tetyana Lokot, Project Coordinator and Associate Professor in the School of Communications of Dublin City University (DCU), opened the conference by explaining the project’s aims and key challenges. She pointed out that “our project is particularly interesting because it brings together seven countries, six of which are EU members, and Georgia, which is not a EU member but is one of the countries that aspire to join the EU.”

Mr. Jarkko Siren, Project Advisor of the European Research Executive Agency (REA) and the MEDIATIZED EU Project Officer, also gave opening remarks to contextualise the project within the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. In coordination with Mr. Paco de la Torre, REA Policy Officer for MEDIATIZED EU and sister projects, he explained the call under which the projects were funded, related to democratic transformations in Europe and the role of the media (more information available here). Mr. Siren pointed out that the questions first posed by MEDIATIZED EU four years ago remain very pertinent today.

For the conference’s keynote speech, Dr. Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University, Ireland, tackled the challenge of disinformation in Europe. Professor Beacháin discussed how impactful disinformation tactics have been for a number of recent political developments, from Brexit to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and argued that they can have long term results by polarising society and undermining the confidence in government and trust in the media.

Dr. Lokot commented on the complexity of the political and media landscape, due to the disinformation coming from third states to damage the EU and its reputation, and the central role of the media as spaces where disinformation is being promoted. Therefore, “the challenge for our project was how to design a research framework that takes account of these external threats but also the internal dynamics in each country to explain the different variables that combine to shape representations and public perceptions of the EU”, Dr. Lokot said.

Dr. Lia Tsuladze, Executive Director of the Center for Social Sciences (CSS) and Associate Professor of Sociology at Tbilisi State University, leading the project’s research package, presented the MEDIATIZED EU theoretical framework. She tackled fundamental concepts such as the mediatization of politics, the development of media democracy, as well as the media logic shaped by different tools and different discursive strategies. All of these processes reveal the importance of scrutinising the media discourses, Dr. Tsuladze explained. She also presented the methodology adopted by the research teams and summarised the project’s outputs, which are being made available in conferencespublications in open-access, and in other formats, through the project’s websitenewsletters, and podcasts.

Next, the research teams reported on the findings of wide-ranging media analysis, in-depth interviews with political and media elites, and public opinion surveys, structured around the project’s seven country case studies.

Ms. Asuman Kubra Bas and Dr. Thomas Jacobs (European Neighbourhood Council – ENC) presented the findings of Belgium’s case, Dr. Holger Mölder (TalTech) presented Estonia’s findings, Dr. Lia Tsuladze (CSS) presented findings from Georgia, Prof. György Lengyel (Corvinus University Budapest), discussed results from Hungary, Dr. Tanya Lokot (DCU), spoke about the Irish case, while Dr. Maria Raquel Freire (Centre for Social Studies – CES), summarised the findings of Portugal’s case, and Dr. Sonia Boulos (Antonio de Nebrija University – UANE), discussed those of Spain. Researchers highlighted the cases’ commonalities and differences, and answered engaging questions and comments from the audience.

Finally, Dr. Sonia Boulos, Assistant Professor of Law and International Relations at UANE, Spain, presented the project’s recommendations for EU policy makers, which focus on how to ensure a healthy, pluralist and constructive debate about Europeanisation in the European media and public sphere. The recommendations were then discussed by Mr. Jack Parrock, EU Affairs Correspondent working in Brussels, and Mr. Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, Managing Director at ENC, moderated by Dr. Alessio Cornia, Assistant Professor in the School of Communications (DCU).

Watch the opening remarks, the research team presentations, and the discussion of the project’s policy recommendations in full, below. And stay tuned for more publications and summary results from MEDIATIZED EU.

New EU-funded Horizon project GEO-POWER-EU launched

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GEO-POWER-EU: Empowering the Geopolitical EU in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans

Starting in June 2024 and continuing for three years, a consortium of 14 partner institutions has embarked on the “GEO-POWER-EU: Empowering the Geopolitical EU in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans” project, funded by the European Union’s H2020 Research and Innovation programme.

In the wake of the war in Ukraine, the European Union has moved to enhance its geopolitical influence beyond its immediate borders, particularly in the Western Balkans (WB) and Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. This shift underscores an urgent need to bolster the EU’s strategic thinking and actions. Consequently, GEO-POWER-EU is based on the premise that the EU’s enlargement and Eastern neighbourhood policies require revision to reflect a new geopolitical vision for these regions.

The primary objective of the GEO-POWER-EU project is to enhance the security dimension of the EU’s policies in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans. The project aspires to develop a comprehensive EU strategy for these regions, taking into consideration foresight concerning the strategic ambitions of other geopolitical actors. GEO-POWER-EU will:

  • propose ideas for the adaptation of the EU Enlargement policy and the reform Eastern Partnership policy
  • assess the influence of other geopolitical actors and provide strategic foresight about the prospects of geopolitical competition in the two regions
  • explore the growth of the EU’s ability to contain military threats
  • propose a comprehensive and multidimensional EU strategy that will guide relations with the countries in the Western Balkans and the Eastern neighborhood.Duration of the project: 1 June 2024 – 31 May 2027

Project Partners

  • University of the Peloponnese, Greece (Project Coordinator)
  • Southeast European Research Center (SEERC), Greece
  • European Neighbourhood Council (ENC), Belgium
  • University of Bologna, Italy
  • The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW), Austria
  • University of Rijeka / Academy of Applied Arts of the University of Rijeka, Croatia
  • Institute for Democracy Societas Civilis, North Macedonia
  • University of Belgrade, Serbia
  • VE Insight, Austria
  • Democratization Policy Council (DPC), Germany
  • Institutul pentru Dezvoltare și Inițiative Sociale (IDIS) Viitorul, Moldova
  • Odesa Mechnikov National University, Ukraine
  • Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS), Georgia
  • Utrikespolitiska Institutet, Sweden

Contact

geo-power@go.uop.gr

If you want to know more about  GEO-POWER-EU, check for updates on the project’s social media: Twitter  Facebook  LinkedIn Soundcloud  YouTube

The GEO-POWER-EU project is funded by the European Union under grant agreement ID 101132692. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

CLOSING EVENT: Forum of the “Sanarip Insan” project on the promotion of equal economic opportunities and sustainability of youth and women

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CLOSING EVENT

Forum of the “Sanarip Insan” project on the promotion of equal economic opportunities and sustainability of youth and women

 

Date: March 4, 2024

Time: 12.00 – 17.30 KGT

Location: Bishkek, Manasa str., 16 Novotel Bishkek City Center

The agenda of the event can be found here.

On March 4, 2024, the Kyrgyz Internet Society will host the forum “Promoting equal economic opportunities and sustainability of youth and women” where the EU-funded “Sanarip Insan” project will sum up its results. Project managers, startup beneficiaries, training beneficiaries, journalists, and project implementers, represented by representatives of government, development institutions, business and educational structures will summarize the results of the project, discuss the tangible effects of digitalization of education for the population, problems, and opportunities for involving all stakeholders in the implementation of the project. Guests will also be able to see an exhibition of project beneficiaries and startup competition winners.

The Sanarip Insan project is is being implemented by the European Neighbourhood Council together with the Kyrgyz Internet Society with financial support from the European Union. The main components of the project are the development of digital skills capacity among youth, young migrants and women, from basic digital literacy to more in-demand digital skills such as information search, use of digital platforms, social media functionality, financial transactions, online commerce and advanced entrepreneurial skills with using information technology.

Over two and a half years, the project has helped thousands of citizens improve their digital skills, thereby increasing their economic well-being. The project’s activities have led to improved indicators of youth resilience to the Sustainable Development Goals and the protection of human rights and contributed to inclusive economic growth in rural areas of Kyrgyzstan, which will have a positive impact on the country’s digital economy.

During this 30-month project, 500 individuals and youth attended two-day courses on digital tourism and e-commerce in seven regions of Kyrgyzstan; 356 new jobs were created (11 times more than planned). The Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit (MISTT) is published in Russian and Kyrgyz with the support of the GSMA Foundation, which helps enhance digital literacy among the population. Videos about the benefits of using digital platforms are broadcast on national and regional television channels, reaching a total audience of 4 million people. About 100 videos and the same number of presentation materials on Microsoft Digital Literacy are available for teachers in the Kyrgyz language to improve computer literacy. The Python programming language is now available to every citizen of Kyrgyzstan in the Kyrgyz language. Ten digital startups from all regions of the country received support with a total prize fund of 2.7 million soms, creating 255 jobs through startup acceleration and financing.

ENC and FNF Türkiye organized a series of workshops with the university students in the Southeast Türkiye

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ENC and FNF Türkiye organized a series of workshops with the university students in the Southeast Türkiye

The primary objective of the project was to equip Turkish students, aged 18 to 26, from diverse regions of Turkey with comprehensive knowledge on key thematic priority areas of the EU. These included green energy and environment, foreign policy, polarization, independent institutions, and free media, with a focus on understanding their relevance to Turkey and EU-Turkey relations.

Distinguished experts, including Can Selçuki, Founder of Istanbul Economics Research, Akın A. Çilekoğlu, Sustainability and Climate Policy Consultant, and Beşire Korkmaz, Editor at Teyit, shared their insights during the workshops. The discussions covered a range of topics, such as The Future of European Union and Turkey Relations, Renewable Energy in the Context of EU-Turkey Relations, and the significance of Independent Institutions in Times of Polarisation and fake news.

The inaugural workshop, held at Çukurova University on November 13, Can Selçuki engaged students in a thought-provoking discussion on the future of EU-Turkey relations and the perceptions of Turkish youth. The session delved into topics like young people’s priorities today, the inseparability of EU-Turkey relations, and the future outlook beyond Turkey’s accession, contemplating economy and security. 

On November 15, Akın A. Çilekoğlu captivated students with insights into Renewable Energy in the Context of EU-Turkey Relations, sparking high interest and numerous questions in the renewable energy sector. The enthusiastic engagement of Turkish students reflected a growing interest in sustainability, emphasizing their keen awareness of the pivotal role renewable energy plays in shaping the future of both Turkey and its relations with the European Union.

The final workshop on November 17, hosted at Gaziantep University by the ENC and FNF office in Turkey, featured Beşire Korkmaz as the keynote speaker. She shed light on the critical role of independent institutions in times of polarisation and fake news and disinformation on Syrian refugees. The subsequent discussion involved students actively engaging in questions related to disinformation and ongoing research on polarisation.

These university workshops not only served as platforms for valuable dialogue but also fostered collaboration between EU and Turkish professors and students. The lively discussions underscored the significance of such training programs, emphasizing the need for sustained communication, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing across societal, political, economic, and academic realms. The success of these events encourages further joint initiatives to fortify the relations between the EU and Turkey.

ENC ve FNF Türkiye Ofisi Güneydoğu Türkiye’de Üniversite Öğrencileriyle Bir Dizi Çalıştay Düzenledi

European Neighbourhood Council ve Friedrich Naumann Vakfı (FNF), Türkiye Eğitim Programı’nın bir parçası olarak 13-17 Kasım tarihleri arasında Çukurova, Mersin ve Gaziantep Üniversitelerinde Avrupa Birliği-Türkiye ilişkileri bağlamında çeşitli konularda atölye çalışmaları düzenledi.

Proje kapsamında, Türkiye’nin çeşitli bölgelerinden gelen 18-26 yaş arası Türk öğrencilere interaktif atölyeler verilerek AB’nin yeşil enerji ve çevre, dış politika, kutuplaşma, bağımsız kurumlar ve özgür medya gibi öncelik verdiği alanlarda bilgi sağlamaktı. Program çerçevesinde Can Selçuki, İstanbul Ekonomik Araştırmalar Kurumu Kurucusu, Akın A. Çilekoğlu, Sürdürülebilirlik ve İklim Politikası Danışmanı, ve Beşire Korkmaz, Teyit Editörü gibi seçkin uzmanlar, atölyeler sırasında görüşlerini paylaştılar. Tartışmalar, Avrupa Birliği ve Türkiye İlişkilerinin Geleceği, AB-Türkiye İlişkileri Bağlamında Yenilenebilir Enerji ve Kutuplaşma Dönemlerinde Bağımsız Kurumların Önemi ve Bilgi Savaşları gibi konular üzerinden ilerledi.

13 Kasım’da Çukurova Üniversitesi’nde düzenlenen açılış atölyesinde Can Selçuki, Türkiye-AB ilişkilerinin geleceği ve Türk gençliğinin AB algısı üzerine düşündürücü bir tartışmada öğrencilerle buluştu. Oturum, gençlerin bugünkü öncelikleri, AB-Türkiye ilişkilerinin önemi ve bu bağlamda ekonomi ve güvenlik gibi konulara odaklandı.

15 Kasım’da Akın A. Çilekoğlu, öğrencilere AB-Türkiye İlişkileri Bağlamında Yenilenebilir Enerji konusundaki sunumuyla öğrencilere kapsamlı bir resim verdi ve pek çok soru yanıtladı. Üniversite öğrencilerin sorduğu sorular, sürdürülebilirliğe duydukları büyüyen ilgiyi yansıtarak, yenilenebilir enerjinin Türkiye’nin ve AB ile ilişkilerinin geleceğini şekillendirmedeki kilit rolüne dair önemini ortaya koydu.

17 Kasım’da Türkiye’deki ENC ve FNF Türkiye ofisi tarafından Gaziantep Üniversitesi’nde düzenlenen son atölyede Beşire Korkmaz ana konuşmacı olarak yer aldı. Korkmaz, kutuplaşma ve sahte haberlerin yanı sıra Suriyeli mültecilerle ilgili yanlış bilgi ve dezenformasyon sorununu kapsamlı bir şekilde ele aldı. 

Düzenlenen atölyeler, sadece diyaloga açık platformlar olarak hizmet etmekle kalmadı, aynı zamanda kurumlar arasında işbirliğini de teşvik etti. Tartışmalar ve yapılan fikir alışverişi, bu tür eğitim programlarının toplumsal, siyasi, ekonomik ve akademik alanlarda sürekli iletişim, işbirliği ve bilgi paylaşımına duyulan ihtiyacı vurguladı. 

New Report on Media Consumption and Disinformation in Central Asia 

By Events, Projects, Publications, Research

New Report on Media Consumption and Disinformation in Central Asia 

The European Neighbourhood Council released it’s new report on “Central Asian Media Consumption and Disinformation: a quantitative and qualitative assessment in the context of geo-politics”. The report produced under the EU-funded project titled “Resilience and Engagement with Varied Information for a Vibrant Environment” (REVIVE), implemented by Internews.

From the ongoing Russia’s war in Ukraine to controversial domestic events in the region, the report explains what information – and disinformation – Central Asians consume, as well as the reasons why they consume it. The research’s overarching objective is to deepen our understanding of regional media consumption patterns, with a focus on the audiences most vulnerable to disinformation—young, elderly, and linguistic minorities.

A mixed methodology was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data for the study. In particular, CATI and extensive semi-structured interviews were done in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Desk research, on the other hand, covered each of the five states in the region, including Turkmenistan. 2,400 people participated in the large-scale survey, while the qualitative portion included 360 in-depth semi-structured interviews, including 60 with media consumers and 30 with media content providers (such as journalists and bloggers) each country.

The report and its recommendations are essential in understanding the media environment and combating disinformation in Central Asia.

Full report, executive summary and infographics in English.
Full report, executive summary, and infographics in Russian.

ENC – FNFT Shaping the Future of Turkiye – EU Relations Together (2023)

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ENC – FNFT Shaping the Future of Turkiye – EU Relations Together (2023)

The European Neighbourhood Council (ENC), with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) office in Turkiye, organized a Networking Trip in Brussels under the framework of the project titled “Shaping the Future of Turkiye – EU Relations Together”.

The objective of the trip was to give a comprehensive, innovative and progressive picture of Europe’s thematic priority areas to each of the distinguished Turkish opinion shapers, through a series of expert closed-doors roundtables, tailor-made one-on-one meetings, and public events held in Brussels. These inter-disciplinary meetings were held to discuss progressive strategies for the EU-Turkiye future while emphasizing the EU value-based priorities. Furthermore, the meetings were carefully coordinated and selected to yield skill transfer and serve the purpose of enriching opinion-shapers’ knowledge of new European policy initiatives, funds, or research.

The ENC and FNFT hosted 1 special guest and 8 eminent opinion shapers, namely Ece Temelkuran, novelist and political thinker; Nevşin Mengü, journalist; Can Selçuki, co-founder of the Istanbul Economics Research; Emre Keki, senior partner at PAE Law Office; İsrafil Özkan, director of the Freedom Research Association; Nayat Karaköse, programme coordinator at the Hrant Dink Foundation; Dr. Çiğdem Çımrın, co-founder of Minerva BHR; Dr. Özge Öner, associate professor at the University of Cambridge; and Yiğit Göktuğ Torun, project assistant at the Human Rights Academy and Türkiye-Europe Lectures at FNF Turkiye. The experts had a chance to discuss their individual fields of work and interests, their perspectives, and share their insights on, among other things, human rights due diligence, the impact of the recent devastating earthquakes, media freedom in Turkiye and the role of social media, civil society and minority rights.

In total, we held three official meetings with high officials and two events under the framework of the project, along with networking lunches and dinners. This productive week was kicked off with a meeting with Ferdinand Kopp (EEAS Turkiye Desk), where the upcoming Turkish elections and the response to the recent earthquake were discussed. The programme continued with a closed lunch briefing with the European Foundation for Democracy where the elections and the role of civil society were elaborated on in greater depth. Furthermore, the group attended a meeting with the European Liberal Forum, focused on the future of EU-Turkiye relations, which was followed by an event on the International Women’s Day 2023, organized by the European Neighbourhood Council and hosted by the MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor, titled “Disaster, Democracy and the Faces of Civil Society in Türkiye”. Right before the networking trip ended, Bernard Brunet, Head of the Turkiye Unit, hosted the opinion shapers at the DG Near premises, where the EU’s positive agenda on Turkiye with an emphasis on the Green Deal, trade, and migration was discussed. Additionally, the experts had an exceptional chance to network one-on-one with the EU officials, during multiple lunches and dinners organized during their visit.

The overarching goal of the trip was to strengthen ties among the civil society professionals from Turkiye and EU officials from the European Commission, the European External Action Service, and the European Parliament while promoting and shaping the future of EU – Turkiye relations. The passionate and engaging debates the experts sparked either with the EU officials or the general public showcased the importance of such training programmes and the need to stay connected, work together, and share knowledge and ideas at societal, political, economic, and academic levels.