The Balkan Working Group on Disinformation officially launched on February 11, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against disinformation and malign influence operations in the region. Hosted by the Center for Information, Democracy, and Citizenship (CIDC) at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG), the inaugural meeting brought together 39 experts from 9 countries—a diverse cohort of journalists, policymakers, fact-checkers, tech experts, academics, and civil society leaders—to address the growing challenge of coordinated disinformation campaigns that threaten democratic institutions and social cohesion across the Balkans.
A Critical Moment for the Region
Disinformation in the Balkans is not a new phenomenon, but it has evolved in scale, sophistication, and impact, fueled by social media algorithms and foreign influence operations. The need for a coordinated regional response has never been greater.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob, Executive Director of CIDC, underscored the urgent need for strategic, research-driven, and collaborative interventions to combat disinformation. He introduced the Balkan Working Group on Disinformation as an action-oriented initiative that will work in synergy with the CIDC-Sensika Disinformation Observatory—an AI-powered monitoring tool designed to provide real-time, nuanced analysis of disinformation trends in the Balkan region.
“Disinformation does not operate in isolation; it is deeply embedded in local history, culture, and political contexts. A narrative that spreads in Serbia may take a different form in Albania. A falsehood circulating in Bulgaria might gain traction in North Macedonia but be dismissed elsewhere,” Dr. Jacob stated. “That is why we need localized expertise—people who understand the political and cultural nuances of their own countries. Your insights will help us identify disinformation in ways that automated systems and external analysts cannot.”
Insights from the Experts: Disinformation at Work
The session featured presentations from leading experts in tech, investigative journalism, and media monitoring, offering a deeper look into how disinformation narratives are created, amplified, and weaponized in the Balkans.
CEO and co-founder of Sensika Technologies, Konstantin Christoff, highlighted how disinformation narratives are becoming more subtle and targeted, making it increasingly difficult to detect. He emphasized the need for a combination of human and artificial intelligence to identify patterns and trends, citing recent false claims about the costs and capabilities of the Chinese-backed DeepSeek AI as an example of unchecked disinformation spreading even through mainstream media.
Sensika’s Media Analytics & Solutions Team Lead, Liliya Grigorova, provided a behind-the-scenes demonstration of how the CIDC-Sensika Disinformation Observatory platform detects and filters disinformation narratives, showcasing its capability to identify and track emerging propaganda before it gains widespread traction.
The presentations were followed by Q&A and discussions by expert participants, moderated by Despina Koleva – CIDC’s Director of Projects and Partnerships.
Next Steps: Country-Specific Working Groups
The Balkan Working Group on Disinformation will now transition into country-level cohorts, each dedicated to strengthening Balkan-wide cooperation in combating disinformation and promoting research-driven, sustainable solutions. Insights and findings from these discussions will inform regional and national policies and contribute to the long-term efforts of the CIDC-Sensika Disinformation Observatory in tracking and countering disinformation threats.
Each country-based working group will:
- Identify and map disinformation narratives circulating in their respective countries
- Share methodologies, insights, and case studies to develop effective countermeasures
- Gain early access to the Disinformation Observatory’s AI-powered dashboard for real-time monitoring
- Host structured, action-oriented discussions in monthly online sessions from March to September 2024
Why This Initiative Matters More Than Ever
Disinformation is not just about false information—it is about influence, control, and power. The Balkans, with its historical divisions, media vulnerabilities, and complex political landscape, remains a prime target for foreign and domestic actors seeking to manipulate public discourse. Without a coordinated, research-driven response, these narratives risk undermining trust in democratic institutions, inflaming ethnic tensions, and destabilizing the region.
The Disinformation Observatory will serve as a critical tool for monitoring and analyzing these evolving threats, providing data-driven insights to inform policy interventions, media literacy initiatives, and counter-narrative strategies.
Join the Initiative
CIDC invites journalists, researchers, policymakers, journalists, fact-checkers, and civil society organizations in the Balkan region to join this groundbreaking initiative. To learn more about the initiative, visit CIDC’s Balkan Working Group on Disinformation page.
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