Successfully accomplished two-day capacity building training– part of the NATO PDD Project “Building Online Resilient Communities to Disinformation Propaganda with a Focus on Gender Mainstreaming and Hybrid Threats via Cyberspace”

A two-day capacity-Building training was accomplished in hotel Sirius – Strumica. During the training representatives from local media, academia, local business sector and CSOS increased online literacy against disinformation, propaganda and gender mainstream but also against other forms of hybrid-based threats via cyberspace. The trainees had the opportunity to learn:

• from NATO, and renowned International and regional experts about disinformation, propaganda and other forms of hybrid-based tactics and methods via cyberspace.
• about NATO efforts to counter disinformation, propaganda and other forms of hybrid-based threats via cyberspace;
• about NATO’s role in promoting greater understanding and dialogue on the topic of gender mainstreaming and counter-disinformation and the importance of equality of women in defense and security sectors;
• hear a first-hand experience from renowned experts research and work in the field about the latest developments including the disinformation and propaganda during Worldwide pandemic COVID – 19;
• Understand why countering these threats via cyberspace requires strengthened coordination among international organizations, particularly between NATO and EU;
• Learn about Hybrid warfare in Estonia, Georgia and Ukraine’s cyberspace;
• Learn about good international and regional practices, initiatives and experience against these threats and how regional cooperation can strengthen national resilience;
• Understanding the legal challenges in the fight against disinformation, propaganda and hybrid threats and the concept of cyber resilient societies;
• Facilitate an understanding of the concept of resilience and why NATO needs resilient Allies;
• Learn about national efforts (including strategic documents and legislation) and challenges to fight disinformation, propaganda and hybrid-based threats via cyberspace;
• Understand national stakeholders’ role in fighting disinformation, propaganda and other forms of hybrid-based threats via cyberspace. Take part in Scenario-based exercise (work in groups) and work on baseline study-research & policy recommendations.

At the end of the training the trainees were able to:

• Understand how disinformation, propaganda and hybrid base threats can target citizens and institutions and become community and a national security threat;
• Identify disinformation, propaganda and other forms of hybrid-based threats via cyberspace;
• Understand who, when, why and how is responsible to fight disinformation;
• Research the trends in the area and the policy used in the world;
• Comprehend community resilience against these threats and sustain national, regional and NATO efforts to fight, disinformation, propaganda with a focus on gender mainstreaming and other forms of hybrid-based threats via cyberspace.