The European Commission has signed a €5 million grant agreement to strengthen independent fact-checking across the EU, as part of its efforts to combat disinformation and protect democratic processes.

Announced on 31 March, the funding will support fact-checkers in all EU languages, enhance cooperation across the sector and establish a protection scheme offering legal, cybersecurity and psychological support. The project will also create a European repository of fact-checks.

The project, led by the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) with seven partner organisations, will expand coverage across all EU Member States and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme. It will complement existing efforts, including those of the European Digital Media Observatory.