Democratic media strengthening in the Black Sea region
Goals
A project
Supported by
Presentation
In the Black Sea region, the media sector faces severe pressures: foreign-driven disinformation, political polarization, fragile newsrooms, and a lack of sustainable funding. These challenges weaken editorial independence, fuel distrust in institutions, and undermine democratic debate.
In Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria, these threats are compounded by political instability and manipulation campaigns exploiting social media and social divides. The war in Ukraine and Russian interference have further intensified these vulnerabilities, spreading narratives hostile to European integration.
The Democratic media strengthening in the Black Sea region project aims to support media actors in their essential role as providers of reliable, independent, and pluralistic information. By reinforcing the capacities of local media outlets, journalists, and civil society, the project contributes to greater resilience against disinformation campaigns and fosters stronger ownership of European democratic values.
Project beneficiaries
The project primarily targets:
• Journalists (professionals, freelancers, and journalism students),
• Independent media outlets, especially in the provinces and serving linguistic minorities (Russian, Bulgarian, Turkish),v
• Civil society organizations active in countering disinformation and promoting media literacy,
• Localauthorities and academics engaged in issues of European integration and democratic transparency.
Indirectly, all citizens of Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria will benefit from greater access to reliable information and a better understanding of European issues.
Actions
Support to independent provincial media
Six Moldovan media outlets, especially outside the capital and serving minority-language communities (Russian, Bulgarian, Turkish), will receive support to produce pluralistic, high-quality content. Training in fact-checking and OSINT will strengthen their ability to counter disinformation and promote democratic values.
Strengthening newsroom sustainability
Fifteen media outlets will be supported to diversify revenue sources, consolidate their business models, and grow their digital audience through training in management, SEO/SEA, crowdfunding, and online monetization.
France–Moldova exchange on energy and environment
An exchange programme will bring together 14 to 20 French and Moldovan journalists to visit energy and environmental infrastructures and carry out joint investigations. Five mixed French–Moldovan teams will produce reports on the energy transition, financial transparency, and environmental impacts.
Local anti-disinformation workshops
In partnership with Transparency International Moldova, 30 workshops will be held in at least 10 vulnerable localities. Local authorities, journalists, and civil society will co-develop “local action sheets” to respond to disinformation. Each workshop will include a module specifically addressing gendered disinformation mechanisms.
Student poster competition
Moldovan students will design posters on countering disinformation and promoting European values. The three best creations will be awarded prizes and widely disseminated through a public and digital campaign.
Training Moldovan journalists on EU integration
Sixteen media professionals will take part in training modules and a study visit to Paris and Brussels to deepen their understanding of EU institutions, transparency, and accession issues. Participants will produce articles on Moldova’s EU integration.
Collaborative investigations on Russian influence
Journalists from Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria will work with regional peers to analyse Russian influence mechanisms. The programme will combine a think tank-led study, an online training (OSINT, cybersecurity, big data analysis), and the creation of mixed teams carrying out joint investigations published in their respective media.
Capitalisation workshop in Chișinău
A two-day final event will bring together journalists, experts, authorities, and partners to debate project results. Sessions will focus on disinformation, European integration, and the energy transition, and will issue recommendations to strengthen media resilience in the region.
