Combat hate speech and disinformation online and offline across Europe by developing innovative tools based on advanced technologies and social sciences, while respecting fundamental rights and freedom of expression.
Context
ECLIPSE is a collaborative project aimed at combating hate speech and mis/disinformation both online and offline across Europe, combining advanced technologies with insights from social, behavioural, criminological, and legal sciences. The project partners with law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, and international bodies will develop innovative tools and strategies for analysing harmful content and deploying counter-narratives. These tools include natural language processing, social network analysis, and natural language generation technologies.
A key objective of ECLIPSE is to equip stakeholders with validated and modern tools, methods, and curricula, enabling them to effectively tackle hate speech and mis/disinformation in a culturally sensitive manner. The project also seeks to standardise European approaches for gathering data and implementing countermeasures, all while respecting fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and privacy.
Objectives
- Prevent and combat hate speech and disinformation through interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder cooperation;
- Develop innovative technological tools for detecting and analysing harmful online content;
- Strengthen the capacities of law enforcement agencies (LEAs), civil society organisations (CSOs), and international bodies through training and awareness-raising;
- Promote ethical, legal, and rights-compliant practices in addressing hate speech and fake news;
- Provide evidence-based recommendations for policymakers at the EU and national levels.
Activities
- Design and implement the ECLIPSE Toolbox, an integrated suite of advanced AI-based tools for analysing and countering hate speech and mis/disinformation;
- Pilot the tools across six countries (Belgium, Germany/Austria, Italy, the UK, Spain, and Turkey) in cooperation with LEAs and CSOs;
- Develop gamified and immersive training modules using digital storytelling and augmented/extended reality;
- Conduct policy analysis, data mapping, and evaluation of good practices;
- Produce policy briefs and sustainability plans for long-term implementation.
Resources
- ECLIPSE Toolbox, an integrated technological environment providing advanced analysis, detection, and counter-narrative tools;
- Gamified and immersive training programme for law enforcement, educators, and civil society actors, fostering digital literacy and critical thinking;
- European policy briefs and recommendations supporting evidence-based policymaking in line with EU strategies on democracy, digital safety, and fundamental rights.
Impact
- Enhanced cooperation between research, technology, education, and public institutions to address online and offline hate speech and disinformation;
- Empowered professionals and citizens capable of recognising, preventing, and countering harmful narratives;
- Strengthened ethical and legal standards for data use, AI, and online moderation in Europe;
- Sustainable European framework for cross-sector collaboration and innovation in combating hatred and disinformation.
Partners
- FONDAZIONE BRUNO KESSLER (Italy, coordinator),
- UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO (Italy),
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE (UK),
- VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL (Belgium),
- SYNYO GmbH (Austria),
- FUNDACIÓN EUROÁRABE DE ALTOS ESTUDIOS (Spain),
- FUNDACIÓN CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS ANDALUCES (Spain),
- SABANCI ÜNIVERSITESI (Turkey),
- CENTER FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION LTD (Cyprus),
- ISTRAZIVACKO-RAZVOJNI INSTITUT ZA VESTACKU INTELIGENCIJU SRBIJE (Serbia),
- HOCHSCHULE FÜR DEN ÖFFENTLICHEN DIENST IN BAYERN (Germany),
- ANKARA VALILIĞI (Turkey),
- AYUNTAMIENTO DE MURCIA (Spain),
- CESIE ETS (Italy),
- STOP HATE UK (UK),
- YOUTH FOR EXCHANGE AND UNDERSTANDING INTERNATIONAL AISBL (Belgium),
- INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR MIGRATION POLICY DEVELOPMENT (Austria),
- CREATIVE WORKERS-CREATIEVE WERKERS VZW (Belgium),
- MINDS & SPARKS GMBH (Austria),
- MINISTERO DELL’INTERNO (Italy),
- VILLE DE LIÈGE (Belgium).
