• Priority Area Boosting Fact-checking Activities in Europe
• Funding Round / Action Types 8th Funding Round – Scale-up Projects
• Year 2024, 2025
• Country Spain
• Project Status Ongoing

The Verified Debates project, led by Verificat, addresses the critical challenge of misinformation in political and public discourse. It introduces a unique approach that blends prebunking and real-time fact-checking, aiming to make fact-based discussion a cultural norm in political dialogue. This initiative not only seeks to ensure accuracy during debates but also to foster alliances with media, civil society, and political actors to promote a broader awareness of the value of verified information. Following a successful pilot during the 2023 Barcelona municipal elections, the project is being scaled to include three thematic debates over 8 months, focusing on topics highly susceptible to misinformation, such as digital devices in education, anti-feminist radicalization, and housing policies.

The debates, supported by media partner La Vanguardia, are designed to maximize impact and visibility. Each event is preceded by a thematic prebunking microsite, equipping participants and the public with verified data before the discussions. During the debates, a team of fact-checkers will verify claims in real-time, ensuring transparency and integrity. By building alliances and raising awareness, Verified Debates aims to create a sustainable, replicable model for data-driven discussions, enhancing public trust and contributing to a healthier democratic process across Europe.