AC/DC proposes to design, test and roll-out a new methodology to respond to the urgent onset of climate disinformation narratives based on the theory of “argument checking”. This approach—which has already garnered attention in the academic world—is conceived as an extension of fact-checking that applies insights from argumentation theory to combat against mis-/disinformation with the added-value of delivering additional information and skills that promotes citizens’ rhetorical literacy and critical thinking skills, encouraging an improved assessment of the arguments, not just individual data and claims, encountered in media spaces.
Led by the Spanish non-profit Foundation and fact-checking organisation Maldita.es (MAL), in partnership with the University of Navarra (UNAV), AC/DC will design, test and deploy practical formats that embed argument-checking within climate fact-checks. Maldita.es’ community of 3,000+ verified experts will validate and refine these formats through iterative prototypes focused on climate-related disinformation, one of today’s most urgent infodemics. These will be evaluated through an academic perception study by UNAV, measuring their impact on users’ ability to resist manipulation.
This tested methodology will be integrated into Maldita.es’ multiformat editorial output, strengthening audience resilience to climate disinformation. Beyond Spain, the project will promote uptake of argument checking across European fact-checking communities, encouraging a shift from reactive correction to proactive public empowerment. By enabling users to identify flawed arguments, not just false facts, AC/DC aims to multiply the long-term impact of fact-checking in Europe’s battle against climate disinformation.

In Malta and Cyprus, there is an epidemic of conspiracy posting on social media. The unregulated and intransparent online media context allows for these postings to find their way into online news portals. EU policies, due to their complexity, are a convenient target. Fact-checking and media literacy initiatives have emerged in both countries, but in the effort to respond to the most ‘viral’ misinformation, they rarely focus on EU policies, especially in the areas of climate, the energy transition, and migration. Using investigative journalism tools, our project aims to equip the audience with knowledge to resist misleading claims and propaganda.

Our multimedia fact-checks will challenge partisan bias and empower the audience to convincingly participate in discussions about EU policies in their communities (schools, workplaces, churches, hobby and discussion groups, etc). We will publish them in a visual format on social media, as well as in our multilingual newsletters. This way we will target both social-media-dependent and social-media-adverse populations.

The primary goal of the Facts Behind the Campaign: Countering Disinformation in 2025 Croatian Local Elections project is to provide accurate and verified information about local elections enabling voters to make informed decisions based on facts. We aim to identify and counteract disinformation including AI-generated content and manipulations, particularly those spreading through social media during the campaign.
Faktograf will monitor the online activity of politicians, political parties, and anonymous profiles to investigate whether coordinated disinformation campaigns are being orchestrated. Our primary focus will be on tracking Facebook and TikTok, as they play significant roles in shaping political discourse. We will use AI powered tools for effective monitoring. Following the elections, we will produce a comprehensive report analyzing trends and the impact of disinformation during the campaign.
Our second goal is to foster transparent public discussions by organizing a live fact-checked debate on critical issues facing the city of Zagreb, such as waste disposal and traffic management. We will also fact-check the debates organized by other media and organizations. Additionally, we will enhance public discourse by analyzing and fact-checking the political programs of the most prominent mayoral candidates and presenting a comparative analysis.
We aim to ensure that fact-checked and verified election-related information reaches a broad and diverse audience utilising multimedia content for social networks.

The project works to reduce the impact of disinformation on public opinion and policy by focusing on real-time monitoring and quick responses, especially around inauthentic online behavior. By bringing together stakeholders in Romania and Moldova, the project fosters collaboration to share and expand effective practices in fostering safer environments online. The goal is to create a unified Moldavian-Romanian approach, combining the strengths of public and private stakeholders to develop a cohesive strategy.

The project also focuses on long-term monitoring, immediate responses, and proactive measures, especially given the rise of disinformation linked to Kremlin propaganda. With Romania and Moldova sharing linguistic, social, and political connections, the project strengthens cross-border cooperation to create a sound framework for analyzing common tactics and techniques used.