multidisciplinary research cooperation on information suppression and diaspoRa communitiES as a target of fOreign iNformation mAnipulation aNd inTerference

Project Information

RESONANT

Grant agreement ID: 101132439

DOI

10.3030/101132439

EC signature date 6 November 2023

Start date 1 December 2023

End date 30 November 2026

Funded under

• Culture, creativity and inclusive society

Total cost

€ 2 948 472,50

EU contribution

€ 2 948 472,50

Coordinated by

FORMIT - FONDAZIONE PER LA RICERCA SULLA MIGRAZIONE E SULLA INTEGRAZIONE DELLE TECNOLOGIE
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RESONANT (multidisciplinary research cooperation on information suppression and diaspoRa communitiES as a target of fOreign iNformation mAnipulation aNd inTerference)

Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2024-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The RESONANT project addresses the growing challenge of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), with a particular focus on how non-EU state and non-state actors systematically apply information suppression. These actors, including authoritarian regimes, use various tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to suppress dissent, shape public narratives, and influence diaspora communities within the European Union. The project aims to map these suppression efforts, develop analytical tools for detection and counteraction, and provide policy recommendations to mitigate their impact.
In a political landscape where foreign influence operations threaten fundamental rights and democratic values, RESONANT seeks to enhance the EU’s resilience against such threats. The project focuses on FIMI carried out by Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, which are known to engage in information suppression to control public perception and co-opt diaspora communities as agents of influence. These activities not only undermine democratic processes in Europe but also affect social cohesion and the security of targeted groups.
The project adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from legal studies, political science, behavioural analysis, communication strategies, and IT/ICT fields. The research starts with the mapping of information suppression cases and defining conceptual frameworks (WP1). This foundational work will support the identification of TTPs and the evaluation of tools for detection and analysis (WP2). An in-depth investigation into the societal and behavioural effects of information suppression on diaspora communities will be conducted (WP3), leading to the development of policy recommendations and methodological toolkits for detecting and countering FIMI (WP4). Finally, the project will ensure effective dissemination and knowledge-sharing (WP5), engaging key stakeholders, including policymakers, security practitioners, civil society, and law enforcement agencies.
The integration of social sciences and humanities plays a crucial role in RESONANT, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of information suppression as a multifaceted phenomenon.

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

The RESONANT project has made significant progress in defining and analysing information suppression through WP1, which developed a conceptual framework and compiled the RESONANT IS Literature Database. This database serves as the foundation for further research and has been instrumental in mapping and inventorying cases of information suppression across multiple countries. These cases have been incorporated into the RESONANT IS Incidents Database, enriched through an extensive literature review, secondary desk research, and empirical data collection.

To deepen the understanding of risks and threats linked to information suppression, WP1 conducted 56 interviews with diaspora members from China, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. These interviews contributed to the identification of major threats and their impact on politics, social cohesion, and democracy, forming the basis for the RESONANT Inventory of IS Risks and Threats. The research also enhanced the definition of information suppression, refining key concepts and linking them to Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) activities.

In WP2, RESONANT focused on mapping and analysing tools for TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) detection, identifying a range of open-source tools and testing them in twelve distinct investigative scenarios. The testing results highlighted the need for refinements, particularly in OCR-based fact-checking and phone number analysis. A revised approach improved the detection methodologies, and the outcomes were integrated into the RESONANT suite of tools.

Additionally, WP2 is working on identifying and classifying TTPs used in FIMI campaigns. The task involves extensive literature collection, collaboration with sister projects, and social network analysis, supported by data protection measures such as Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) and a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA). These classifications build upon the insights gained in WP1, particularly in relation to the documented cases of information suppression and their geopolitical impact.

In WP3, RESONANT has developed a detailed research framework for the behavioural and legal analysis of FIMI impacts on diaspora communities, drawing from the findings of WP1 and WP2. This framework includes the selection of case studies, risk identification, and methodological alignment with the existing datasets. The behavioural analysis component is in progress, with interview methodologies and ethical considerations being finalised.

Throughout these activities, RESONANT has ensured compliance with ethical and security requirements, implementing data protection protocols, pseudonymisation, and secure data storage solutions.

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 the first year of activities, the project has mapped key countries involved in these activities—China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Venezuela, and Nicaragua—and compiled a comprehensive three-layered dataset, including a literature database, an incident database, and an inventory of risks and threats.
The project has classified tactics, techniques, and procedures used in FIMI campaigns and evaluated the effectiveness of open-source tools in detecting and mitigating information suppression. By refining these tools through real-world testing, RESONANT has developed improved methodologies for identifying disinformation tactics. The project is also conducting an in-depth behavioural and legal analysis of FIMI’s impact on diaspora communities, which will be finalised in the next two years of the project.
Moreover, RESONANT has initiated the development of policy recommendations aimed at strengthening EU resilience against FIMI. Initial policy briefs highlight the need for enhanced data-sharing mechanisms and a coordinated regulatory approach to counter foreign disinformation operations.
The project’s impact is providing practical tools for law enforcement agencies and policymakers, while fostering dialogue between security practitioners, civil society, and academic experts.