ELIAMEP participates as a partner in FACTS project. FACTS aims to identify the existing rumours, false narratives or fake news circulating about the European Union among mobilized and non-mobilized citizens, and whether these rumours directly hinder the idea of acquiring a European citizenship.

It also pretends to contrast the solidity of the traditional narrative of peace and prosperity that it is still summoned as the main achievement of the EU. We will test how well this narrative has hold on the test of time and whether a) it is still a powerful mobilizing factor; and b) mobilized and non-mobilized citizens can and actually think of a different narrative.

The project will compare their different perspectives parting from different member states. Are there divergences? If so, are they geographical? How reliable are these narratives? Does age play a decisive factor on the stand one takes on the EU?  What is the origin of the narrative or the information we have been told about the EU? Is it from our nearest circle of relatives or friends? Are there gender differences? What makes citizens more inclined to believe alternative narratives, rumours or fake news? Are there common trends in all these false narratives on the European Union?

Finally, we will bring together some of the citizens from each member state with MPs and MEPs to discuss about the main findings of the project so they can exchange ideas, but specially mobilized and non-mobilized citizens can talk directly to their elected representatives and transmit their stances on the EU. Within this framework, ELIAMEP will organize two citizens’ forums in Greece in 2021.

Elizabeth Phocas is the Project Manager.

Partners:

  • Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB)
  • Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI)
  • Wise Europa
  • Das Progressive Zentrum (DPZ)
  • German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF)