On 3 March 2026, ICDC partner organisations participated in an online Regional Learning Call dedicated to information space monitoring and disruption. The session featured Saman Nazari, Lead Researcher at Alliance4Europe and Coordinator of the Counter Disinformation Network, who introduced the network and its work in identifying and countering information manipulation.

During the session, participants learned about the network’s collaborative approach, which connects more than 100 organisations and over 400 practitioners working together to monitor disinformation narratives and coordinate responses, particularly during high-risk periods such as elections.

Participants also discussed the difference between disruption and mitigation strategies in counter-disinformation work. While disruption focuses on identifying and exposing manipulation campaigns and limiting their reach, mitigation aims to strengthen the information environment through the promotion of credible information and authentic narratives. Both approaches were presented as complementary elements in addressing information manipulation:

“Disruption drains the poison out of the information space, while mitigation fills the space with medicine,” Nazari noted.

The discussion also emphasised the importance of building monitoring capacities within civil society organisations. Reflecting on the session, Alexandru Ghețan from Youth Media Centre, an ICDC partner organisation, noted that although such methodologies are still new for many organisations, they can significantly improve the effectiveness of monitoring and reporting efforts:

“We understand the need for this kind of methodology because it will help us not just to monitor, but at the same time to report and be more effective in our work. This is just the first step, and with more training and experience we will better understand how to adapt these tools to our realities.”

The learning call provided an important introduction to monitoring and disruption practices and will support the development of ICDC’s future activities in information space monitoring and counter-disinformation efforts. It will also open the door for further collaboration and capacity building among partner organisations.