CFI project trains junior Western Balkans diplomats

On June 6, 2025, the Countering Foreign Interference (CFI) project held an in-person training session for a cohort of diplomats, part of a Capacity Building Programme for Junior Diplomats of the Western Balkans.  This programme, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and organised and hosted by the European University Institute’s Florence School of Transnational Governance (EUI-STG), contributed to building skills and knowledge of junior Western Balkan diplomats on countering foreign interference.  The CFI training session particularly focused on the threats posed by Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) to the region, the EU and various partner countries. While also analysing good practices and effective measures to address FIMI.  Participants familiarised with the concepts of FIMI, disinformation and the broader hybrid threat landscape. The training, tailored with specific regional lenses, also encouraged practical application of the concepts and topics through interactive group engagements. The tailored exercises aimed at enhancing the participants' knowledge of the technical and strategic aspects of building resilience to FIMI in the Western Balkans countries and across societies.  Junior diplomats interacted with the trainers and among themselves, sharing personal experience and country specific insights.  Lecturers included: