United in Narrative Diversity? Cultural (Ex-)Change and Mutual Perceptions in Eastern and Western Europe at the threshold of the digital age

Project Information

NARDIV

Grant agreement ID: 101095171

DOI

10.3030/101095171

EC signature date 7 March 2023

Start date 1 June 2023

End date 31 August 2026

Funded under

• Culture, creativity and inclusive society

Total cost

€ 2 907 245,65

EU contribution

€ 2 806 156,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE
France

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NARDIV (United in Narrative Diversity?Cultural (Ex-)Change and Mutual Perceptions in Eastern and Western Europe at the threshold of the digital age)

Reporting period: 2024-06-01 to 2025-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Europe faces a resurgence of cultural and national stereotypes driven by the migration crisis, COVID-19, democratic backslides, and the war in Ukraine. Decades after the Cold War, Eastern and Western Europe appear increasingly alienated, with diverging views on Europe and the EU. These trends suggest a post-colonial relationship within Europe, particularly in East-West dynamics.

Involving France, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania, NARDIV explores the past, present, and future of transnational relationships in culture and heritage, examining how intercultural exchanges shape perceptions between Eastern and Western Europe. Scholars, artists, and cultural practitioners collaborate to address issues like conflicting memories and the impact of digital media on perceptions.

The project’s goal is to develop strategies to revitalize cultural diplomacy to counter nationalist populist discourses. It aims to rethink cultural exchanges, promote European values, and identify best practices in an environment increasingly shaped by social media and digitalization. Methodologically, NARDIV combines field research, artistic workshops, and media analysis, integrating research with creative practices. It emphasizes minority and youth experiences, incorporating gender and intersectionality perspectives to raise awareness of the media’s influence on shaping perceptions.

The project seeks to improve East-West relations by fostering understanding of shared European heritage and countering disinformation. It aims to create a sustainable network for cultural diplomacy and intercultural exchange, promoting a cohesive and resilient Europe.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In its first two years, the NARDIV project has made substantial progress in advancing research, education, and public engagement in the field of cultural diplomacy. The collaboration between academic institutions and cultural organizations has proven particularly fruitful—not just for disseminating findings but for transforming cultural institutes into laboratories of dialogue, where new ideas, methods, and narratives are co-created with civil society.
All work packages have contributed to a strong and cohesive research architecture:
WP2 developed new approaches to East–West perceptions in women’s life writing. Two PhD projects progressed well, and an edited volume (Routledge) is in preparation. Workshops, interviews, and university courses integrated artistic and academic perspectives while engaging underrepresented voices.
WP3 examined postcolonial influences on European cultural policy, focusing on tensions between cosmopolitanism and national interests. Fieldwork, media analysis, and collaboration with B-SHAPES led to impactful events, publications, and academic-policy dialogue.
WP4 analyzed Russian disinformation narratives and explored affect-based methods for understanding digital perception. Findings were incorporated into new university courses and shared with the wider public via major events like re:publica25.
WP5 conducted seven interdisciplinary case studies, connecting historical and artistic research. Public installations, workshops, and a summer school created inclusive spaces for reflection on memory, identity, and cultural power.
WP6 focused on hybrid community building via digital engagement. Workshops and participatory methods with youth and professionals informed both fieldwork and NARDIV’s communication strategy.
WP7 ensured long-term impact by securing accreditation for a new MA in Cultural Diplomacy, developing the Virtual Museum, and preparing strategic policy briefs for EU institutions.
WP8 expanded communication and outreach, increasing media coverage, online visibility, and public engagement across Europe.
WP9 maintained ethical standards and completed all required approvals and reporting.
NARDIV’s integrated, cross-sectoral model—embedding academic research in cultural institutions and linking it directly to public and policy discourse—has proven highly effective. With its strong interdisciplinary foundation and growing European network, the project is well-positioned to deliver lasting impact in its final phase and beyond.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In its first two years, the NARDIV project has delivered significant interdisciplinary results that go beyond the current state of the art in cultural diplomacy, memory studies, and digital media research.

A particular strength of the project lies in its integration of artistic research methods—especially within WP2 and WP5—which have enabled new insights into perception, identity, and memory through embodied practices such as dance, storytelling, and participatory workshops (notably with Roma women). These formats have expanded the field of memory studies and allowed for inclusive, non-verbal knowledge production.

WP3 has applied a postcolonial lens to cultural diplomacy and foreign policy in Central and Eastern Europe, uncovering how historical narratives continue to influence present-day cultural relations. This research has informed critical reflections on EU strategies for intercultural dialogue.

WP4 developed affect-based methods for analyzing disinformation, revealing the importance of culturally adapted responses to Russian information strategies. Its comparative research offers new tools for media governance, journalism, and digital literacy.

WP5 translated academic findings into performative public formats, such as installations, youth summer schools, and workshops, thereby creating accessible models for inclusive cultural diplomacy in practice.

WP6 focused on digital innovation in cultural communication, identifying underexplored potentials in AI-supported content production and media literacy, particularly concerning the reception of Eastern European news in Western Europe.

A major structural achievement came with WP7’s successful accreditation of a Master’s program in Cultural Diplomacy, marking a key step toward long-term educational impact in the field.