The complex, fast-moving, and multi-faceted spread of hate speech and mis/disinformation across Europe poses increasing challenges and significant threats. Tackling the persistent and evolving threat of online and offline hate speech and fake news demands more than isolated action. ECLIPSE addresses these challenges by combining advanced technologies with insights from social, behavioural, criminological, and legal sciences.

The ECLIPSE project aims to prevent and counter hate speech and mis/disinformation both online and offline across Europe. It combines advanced technologies with insights from social, behavioural, criminological, and legal sciences and works with Law Enforcement Authorities (LEAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and international organisations to analyse harmful and false content online. Using Natural Language Processing (NLP), Social Network Analysis (SNA), and Natural Language Generation (NLG), the project deploys counter-narratives that support practical interventions in real-world settings.

ECLIPSE uses AR/XR-based gamification for training, addressing societal impacts, strengthens security, and providing policy recommendations. Its ultimate goal is to increase awareness among European citizens and promote the adoption and scalability of its solutions at national, EU, and international levels.

Methodology

ECLIPSE adopts a multidisciplinary and multiagency approach, combining advanced technologies such as NLP, SNA, NLG, gamification, digital storytelling, and AR/XR with insights from social, behavioural, criminological, and legal sciences to combat hate speech and mis/disinformation online and offline. Its tools will advance high-TRL assets from previous EU and national projects that will be tested by end-users (LEAs, CSOs, and international organisations) in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the UK, with Spain and Türkiye as followers.

The ECLIPSE project aims to combat hate speech and mis/disinformation online and offline through a cooperative and sustainable approach. It employs innovative technological and SSH strategies, each targeting key objectives for impactful solutions. This methodology forms a coherent framework that will be validated in four pilot countries and two follower countries across Europe, ensuring specificity, replicability, and sustainability.

ECLIPSE objectives

ECLIPSE is built around five key objectives that guide its mission to prevent and combat hate speech and mis/disinformation both online and offline across Europe:

• EQUIP LEAs, CSOs, and international organisations with modern and validated digital and non‑digital tools, methods, and curricula to effectively address hate speech and mis/disinformation online and offline.
• DEVELOP standardised European approaches for LEAs, CSOs, and international organisations to collect data on hate speech and fake news, analyse risks, and implement counter‑narratives and security measures.
• ENHANCE citizens’ security perceptions and prevent hate speech and mis/disinformation online and offline through training materials, workshops, and events using digital storytelling, gamification, and AR/XR.
• PROVIDE targeted recommendations and communicate key outcomes through policy briefs for European and national policymakers to effectively counter hate speech and mis/disinformation online and offline.
• RAISE awareness among key stakeholders through innovative tools and training methods, and communicate project outcomes through effective communication and dissemination activities.

Members of the consortium

ECLIPSE brings together 22 partners and associated partners from 10 countries, comprising research and academic organisations, SMEs, NPOs, Law Enforcement Authorities (LEA), Civil Society Organisations (CSO), and international organisations.

Coordinated by Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), Italy, the consortium includes University of Trento, Northumbria University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, SYNYO GmbH, Euro-Arab Foundation, Andalusian Public Foundation Center for Andalusian Studies, Sabancı University, CENTRE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION (CSI), the Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Serbia, University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration and Legal Affairs in Bavaria (HfoeD), Ankara Governorship, Murcia City Council, CESIE, Stop Hate UK, Youth for Exchange and Understanding, International Centre for Migration Policy Development, Creative Workers and MINDS & SPARKS GmbH with support from the associated partners Italian Ministry of Interior, Durham Constabulary, and City of Liege.

Links

Website: https://www.eclipsehorizon.eu/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eclipse-horizon-eu

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ECLIPSE-HorizonEU

Keywords

Hate Speech, Disinformation, SSH, Ethics & Law, AI-driven Tools, NLP, SNA, NLG, Gamification, AR, XR, LEAs, CSOs, International Organisations, Policymakers, Training, Policy Guidance, Public Awareness