BROD (Bulgarian-Romanian Observatory of Digital Media) – phase II

Media literacy is an essential educational tool for recognizing and understanding forms of disinformation. It is important for each of us to be prepared and well equipped so as not to become victims of this phenomenon. This is the goal we have set ourselves, together with our partners in the BROD project, for the coming years.

What is BROD?

The Bulgarian-Romanian Digital Media Observatory is one of the hubs of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), funded by the European Union to combat disinformation. BROD aims to create an international and multidisciplinary center for detecting, analyzing, and combating disinformation circulating in Bulgaria and Romania.

The BROD hub was established in 2022, and the partner organizations are continuing with a second phase of the project, which will run from June 2025 to December 2027.

BROD consists of the GATE organization (coordinator), specializing in media education, public policy analysis, tool development, and research; SNSPA, VR, and Globsec, focused on policy analysis and research; NTCenter and CJI, specializing in media literacy education training; BNT, AFP, and Funky Citizens, experts in fact-checking; as well as ATC and XWiki, which supported the development and integration of BROD’s electronic infrastructure.

What is BROD aiming to achieve?

In this new phase, BROD aims to expand its overall fact-checking capacity and integrate the Republic of Moldova into its fact-checking activities. CJI will focus on creating media literacy educational campaigns, training, events, and developing media content.

It will also conduct research and analyze how disinformation spreads.

BROD 2.0 will also assess the public policy implications of the EU Code of Practice and the Digital Services Act, contributing to the development of frameworks to prevent future challenges related to disinformation. The project aims to refine its multi-stakeholder approach, involving leading regional and European partners such as the Adriatic and Hungarian Digital Media Observatories, to improve knowledge sharing, research collaboration, and media literacy educational efforts.

In conclusion, BROD 2.0 aims to create a more resilient information ecosystem in the region – by integrating Moldova and strengthening European partnerships, the project aspires to promote fair democratic discourse and effectively combat disinformation.

What activities will the CJI run as part of the project?

  • Organization of 15 Digital Media Literacy courses for approximately 300 middle and high school teachers.
  • Adaptation and piloting of the digital media literacy course for middle school teachers to ensure a cross-curricular approach to MIL in the public education system.
  • Organization of thematic workshops for teachers attending the course and educational webinars about media literacy open to all teachers from all learning cycles.
  • Ensuring effective collaboration with local partners and organizations, as well as with the EDMO network, for joint media literacy educational activities and participation in events and campaigns.
  • Developing educational resources for understanding media literacy concepts and courses that teachers can take at their own pace.
  • Producing necessary educational materials designed specifically for journalists, teachers, librarians, and people vulnerable to disinformation—both young people and adults.
  • Organizing events to promote the importance of media literacy and the role of journalism in democracy among the general public.

Duration of the project: The project began in June 2025 and will run for 30 months, until December 2027.

Partners

Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski Bulgaria 

National School of Political and Administrative Studies

Commetric EOOD Bulgaria 

Center for Independent Journalism Romania 

National Training Center Bulgaria 

Funky Citizens Romania 

XWIKI Software SRL Romania 

XWIKI France

Agence France Presse France

Vitosha Research EOOD Bulgaria 

Athens Technology Center Anonymi Viomichaniki Greece 

Globsec Slovakia

Bulgarian National Television Bulgaria