SciTransfer
PERCEPTIONS · Project

Tools to Monitor and Counter False Migration Narratives Spreading Online

digitalTestedTRL 5Thin data (2/5)
project.perceptions.eu

Imagine people in other countries see Europe on social media and build up a picture that's totally different from reality — sometimes making it look like paradise, sometimes like a disaster. Those stories drive real decisions about whether to migrate, and when expectations crash into reality, everyone loses. PERCEPTIONS mapped out exactly which stories spread where, how they travel through social media echo chambers, and built an online hub that helps organizations spot misleading narratives early and respond with accurate information.

By the numbers
26
consortium partners involved
15
countries represented in the research
25
project deliverables produced
4
industry partners in the consortium
4
SMEs in the consortium
The business problem

What needed solving

Organizations working in border security, migration management, and integration services are blindsided by sudden shifts in migration patterns driven by viral misinformation about life in Europe. Without tools to track and understand these narratives as they spread through social media echo chambers across multiple countries and languages, agencies cannot anticipate problems or respond effectively.

The solution

What was built

The project built an Open Information Hub (delivered in prototype and final version) for tracking migration narratives, along with 25 deliverables including a research-based model of how perceptions of Europe form and spread, policy recommendations, action plans, and practitioner guides for countering false narratives.

Audience

Who needs this

Border security agencies and migration management authoritiesSocial media monitoring and threat intelligence companiesInternational organizations running migrant information campaignsGovernment policy units working on migration and integrationMedia literacy and counter-disinformation NGOs
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Border and immigration security
enterprise
Target: Government agencies or private contractors providing border management and migration intelligence

If you are a security contractor or government agency dealing with unpredictable migration flows driven by viral misinformation — this project developed an Open Information Hub and a research-backed model that maps how false narratives about Europe spread across social media in 15 countries. It helps you anticipate surges before they happen by tracking narrative patterns.

Social media monitoring and analytics
SME
Target: Companies offering social listening, threat intelligence, or narrative tracking platforms

If you are a social media analytics firm struggling to make sense of migration-related narratives across multiple languages and regions — this project's research across 26 partners in 15 countries produced methods to identify filter bubbles, echo chambers, and misinformation chains specific to migration topics. Their Open Information Hub prototype shows how to structure this data for practitioners.

International development and humanitarian aid
any
Target: NGOs and international organizations running migrant integration or pre-departure information programs

If you are an organization providing information to potential migrants and dealing with people arriving with wildly unrealistic expectations — this project produced policy recommendations and action plans based on research in West and Central Mediterranean areas. The 25 deliverables include practical guides for practitioners to counter false narratives before they cause harm.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to access or license the tools and research outputs?

The project was funded as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), which typically means core research outputs are publicly available. The Open Information Hub was designed as an open platform. Specific licensing terms for commercial use would need to be discussed with the coordinator SYNYO GmbH.

Can these tools work at the scale of a national border agency or large platform?

The Open Information Hub was developed in two iterations — a prototype and a final version — suggesting it was refined for practical use. The research covered 15 countries and narratives across West and Central Mediterranean areas, indicating the methodology scales across regions. However, operational deployment at national scale would likely require further engineering.

Who owns the intellectual property from this project?

As an EU-funded RIA project coordinated by SYNYO GmbH (an Austrian SME), IP typically stays with the consortium partners who created it. With 26 partners across 15 countries including 4 industry players and 4 SMEs, licensing arrangements would need to go through the coordinator.

Does this comply with EU data protection regulations?

The project operated under EU funding rules which require GDPR compliance by design. Social media narrative analysis raises privacy considerations, but the project focused on public narratives and perceptions rather than individual tracking. Specific compliance details would need confirmation from the consortium.

How long before these tools could be deployed in our organization?

The project closed in February 2023, and the Open Information Hub reached its final version. The policy recommendations and practitioner guides from the 25 deliverables are ready for adaptation. Integration into existing systems would depend on your technical infrastructure and the specific outputs you want to use.

Can this integrate with existing border management or intelligence systems?

Based on available project data, the Open Information Hub was built as a standalone platform. Integration with existing security or intelligence systems would require custom development. The 26-partner consortium included 4 industry partners who may have experience with such integrations.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a large, research-heavy consortium with 26 partners across 15 countries — notably spanning both EU member states and key migration-origin countries including Algeria, Egypt, Israel, and Kosovo. The academic backbone is strong with 10 universities and 6 research organizations, but the 4 industry partners (15% ratio) and 4 SMEs signal limited commercial pull. The coordinator SYNYO GmbH is an Austrian SME, which suggests agility but also limited scaling capacity. For a business buyer, the value here is in the research depth and geographic coverage rather than off-the-shelf products.

How to reach the team

SYNYO GmbH is an Austrian SME specializing in research and innovation — reachable through their company website or the project portal

Order a report on this consortiumSee SYNYO GmbH profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how PERCEPTIONS migration narrative tools could strengthen your operations? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the research team.

Order a report on this topicMore in Digital & ICT
More in Digital & ICT
See all Digital & ICT projects →
Affordable Satellite Communication Modules That Give SMEs Direct Access to Space Data
InnoSpaceComm
Open →
Home Dining Marketplace Connecting Travelers with Local Hosts Across Europe
ECINPERSON
Open →
AI-Powered 3D Art Creation That Cuts Production Time for Game and Film Studios
ArtomatixSuite
Open →