Foreign & Commonwealth Office PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM For projects over £80k * To be completed by the Post Project Title INTEGRITY INITIATIVE Which Programme is the funding being sought from * Insert fund name Russian Language Strategic Communication Programme Project Code * To be added once the Project has been approved and the code is provided by the Programme Team TBC Is the Project ODA eligible * Yes/No ODA Codes * To be added by Post using guidance in Annex 2 and 3 of “OECD’s ODA Reporting Guidance". Input Sector Code Channel of Delivery Code V. 160104 Part A: To be completed by the Project Implementer Project Title INTEGRITY INITIATIVE Purpose This must be NO MORE than one sentence, dearly setting out the “change” to be delivered To counter Russian disinformation and malign influence in Europe by: expanding the knowledge base; harnessing existing expertise, and; establishing a network of networks of experts, opinion formers and policy makers, to educate national audiences in the threat and to help build national capacities to counter it. Context and Need for the Project in no more than 200 words, provide the backqround to the issue this proiect will chanqe, what the expected final Outcome will be, and (where applicable) why the UK should fund this project Russian open sources say that Russia is at war with the West. The existence of democracy poses a threat to their dictatorial system. Undermining and ultimately destroying Western democratic institutions is Russia's way of neutralising this "threat". To this end, Russia is currently employing all forms of power, led by malign influence and disinformation. Russia's diplomats, media. Information Troops, hackers and troll armies attack individuals, subvert institutions and create mistrust of democratic processes. Incontrovertible evidence of Russian interference is obscured by barrages of lies. Whilst this is better publicised since the US Elections, the dangers of Russia's offensive is acknowledged only in a few capitals and its scale and nature understood only by the expert international community. In some countries there is no awareness at all, or the issue is denied. To change this situation our project will build a network of networks across Europe, organising local teams to counter Russian influence and disinformation in their own societies and challenging the Kremlin's narrative within Russia itself. Developing a concerted response will not happen spontaneously. It needs leadership. Our Institute has the proven expertise and experience and it is appropriate for the UK to provide this leadership, especially post-Brexit. Short Project Summary In no more than 200 words explain what the project plans to achieve and how (setting out how the Outputs will deliver the Purpose/Objective, and how the activities will deliver each relevant Output), and what difference will it make on the ground over the next few years? To expand our long-term programme so that, over the next two years, at-risk European countries can better understand and counter Russia's policy of malign influence and disinformation. To be achieved by: • Expanding our network of specialists, journalists, academics and political actors across Europe, empowering them to educate their publics and policy elites 2 V. 160104 This question will be looked at again during any Evaluation of this project, and when an Impact Report is done. The success of the project will largely be judged on what is said here • Sponsoring, including via the Free University of Brussels (thereby enhancing academic respectability of the topic), advanced research, publications, workshops, educational courses, mentoring, lectures • Expanding the impact of the Integrity Initiative website, dissemination and Twitter/social media accounts, and increasing the reporting of the issue in mainstream and specialist press • Engaging UK and other national political and military establishments, improving their ability to counter Russian disinformation and other weapons of hybrid warfare strategy • Engaging the Lithuanian Stratcom and Ukrainian SF teams to teach their unique insight into Russian techniques • Strengthening external organisations' capabilities, including: NATO Parliamentary Assembly; Atlantic Treaty Association; Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers; Baltic Defence College; HQ NATO Public Diplomacy; EU Stratcom team • Engaging Russian and Russian-speaking audiences to challenge Moscow's narratives • Adapting our approach as Russia responds to our successful counter moves • Applying lessons of the programme more widely, e.g. to countering Daesh influence in Muslim communities 3 V. 160104 Cost What is the TOTAL cost of the Project Please detail the cost to the FCO and, if relevant the cost to co-funders If relevant, please provide costs for future Financial years. Please note, the cannot guarantee funding for future years Project funds are paid quarterly in arrears. FY17/18 £ [est ] 582,635 Cost to FCO £480,635 Cost to Co-funders £ 102,000 FY 18/19 £ Cost to FCO Cost to Co-funders £ Co-Funding Has funding for this project been sought from other donors (EU, DfID, other countries), Private institutions or the host government? If Yes, please provide details including source and amount. If No, why not, and were options for doing so explored? Funding from HQ NATO Public Diplomacy, £12,000 for each inaugural workshop Funding from partner institutions £5,000 for each inaugural workshop Funding from NATO HQ for educational video films - free provision of camera team Funding from Lithuanian MOD to provide free all costs for their stratcom team for a monthly trip to support a new hub/cluster creation and to educate cluster leaders and key people in Vilnius in infowar techniques Timing Planned start date: 01 07 2017 Planned completion date: 31 03 2018 PLEASE ATTACH A FULL ACTIVITY BASED BUDGET (in Excel). Proposals without an activity based budget will not be considered The Activity Based Budget must match the activities and timings set out below Will the Implementing Partner be sub¬ contracting any other agencies to carry out elements of the project activities? If Yes, please provide details Good procurement procedures must be followed - please refer to Annex C of the FCO Grant Contract No 4 V. 160104 Implementing Agency Name; Address; Telephone Numbers; Email; Website The Institute for Statecraft 2 Temple Place London WC2R 3BD 07974 019 212 www.statecraft.orq.uk Country or countries covered Southern and Western European countries and Baltic States, UK, USA, Canada Have you bid for funding from the FCO 2014 Ukraine capacity building. Unsuccessful bid in the past three years? 2015 El Salvador Human Rights and reduction of gang violence. Successful bid. Please provide details of any bids made 2016 El Salvador Rule of Law and prison reform. Successful bid. and/or projects implemented 5 V. 160104 Project Plan Based on the information provided in the Summary, use the table below to set out the Purpose, Outputs and Activities to be delivered. Give the Indicator(s) for the Purpose and each Output, along with the Baseline information, what the target to be reached is, and when it will be delivered by, along with milestones (checkpoints) at which progress will be measured. This will allow you to monitor and measure progress throughout the Project, and provide clear evidence of the Project’s success Indicator - what will be measured (eg the number of people who will be trained; the increase in positive perceptions of an issue) Baseline - the current status (eg no training exists; current perceptions are x% positive) Sources = where will the information on the baseline data and targets come from (eg data from research carried out by the implementer; open source data) Milestones - the key points at which progress will be tracked (can be specific dates/events or the regular quarterly reports - but provide indicative dates for the latter) Target = what the project will deliver (eg 100 people trained; 50% increase in positive perceptions) Date - the date by which it will be delivered Purpose: To counter Russian disinformation and malign influence in Europe by: expanding the knowledge base; harnessing existing expertise, and; establishing a network of networks of experts, opinion formers and policy makers, to educate national audiences in the threat and to help build national capacities to counter it. Indicator(s) Baseline Sources Milestones Target & Date Establishment of a further 6 national clusters (Hub + network); increased awareness and understanding of the threat posed by Russian nfluence and disinformation; strengthened capability to respond to that threat Current networks are passive and limited to experts. There is little spin off from the expert international community’s understanding to national political leaderships. There is now a solid information base, but expert groups work in stovepipes and there is no overall impetus to collaborate, so the effort does not achieve critical mass Once collaboration is established under a leadership which focuses on a goal, measurable impact should be seen within 2 months New national clusters can be set up at a rate of about one per month. Most countries will see significant changes in perceptions within 2 months. In countries where there is a serious problem (eg Greece) evidence will be in the form of seriously increased debate Output 1: Creating or improving the structural mechanisms fori lacking, analysing and responding to Russian malign influence and disinformation Indicator(s) Baseline Sources Milestones Target & Date 6 V. 160104 1. Setting up a cluster (Hub plus network of experts, journalists, political players) in each country Spain: Cluster established as proof of concept. Netherlands, inaugural meeting set for 22 June; France, for 24 th June. Norway, Germany, Lithuania, Greece, Cluster in process of setting up. Serbia, Italy, Cluster in process of exploratory discussion All data researched by the Institute Progress will be reported on a monthly basis and the programme amended according to developing circumstances, driven by the pace of international events. Each Cluster will consist of a small admin hub (1-3 pers), plus a network of 10-20 active members serving to disseminate material to 100= key individuals and institutions. 2. Setting up a Brussels- based research network to encourage key and at-risk European countries, US and Canada to establish in a major national think tank a process or programme for studying infowar Think tanks engaged; first exploratory meeting held on 26 Apl 2017. Meeting in US tentatively scheduled for Sept 2017 Data researched by the Institute and VUB IES Progress will be reported on a monthly basis 12 Institutes have agreed to participate, of which 6 attended the first meeting. Some 20 institutes across Europe should be engaged by Mar 2018 3. Engage with national MFAs, MOIs, Min Educs to encourage them to set up centres for the study of disinformation etc Successfully accomplished in France (MFA CAPS) and Norway (MOD). Currently exploring with Germany (Chancellor's Office) All data researched by the Institute Progress will be reported on a monthly basis and the programme amended according to developing circumstances, driven by the pace of international events. Progress will be tied to the establishment of national clusters. We expect 5-6 MFA/MODs to spark by Mar 2018 4. Employing principally UK and Lithuanian models, engage with Allied Armed Forces to establish units within Lithuanian stratcom team successfully teamed with UK 77 Bde. Successful engagement with Spanish cluster formation in Jan All data researched by the Institute and 77Bde Progress will be reported on a monthly basis and the programme amended according to developing circumstances, driven by the pace of Ditto 7 V. 160104 their ranks to track, 2017. Lithuanian team international events. analyse and respond to committed to supporting Russian disinformation development of our and influence programme. 5. Engaging with and ATA engagement agreed; All data researched by the Progress will be reported on a It is difficult to calculate using the influence Institute membership of Institute and ATA to date. monthly basis and the numbers at this stage. There is a networks of existing ATA agreed pending Other data should be provided programme amended according potential to reach many international or formal ATA approval. by each organisation to developing circumstances, thousands of individuals. But national allied Exploration of modalities driven by the pace of much will depend on how the institutions as agreed, ongoing with RFA & CIOR. international events. institutions take up the viz: NATO HQ; NATO NATO PD support to our distribution of material. Stratcom unit, Riga; programme agreed in NPA; RFA; CIOR; ATA; principle. NPA and Baltdefcol. Baltdefcol under discussion. Activities linked to Output 1 Output 2: Commissioning in-depth research and conducting analyses of significant events Indicator(s) Baseline Sources Milestones Target & Date 1 . Completion of in-depth Germany study All data researched by the Completion of each study report Written report for widespread study of Russian completed. Short French Institute dissemination; date determined influence and study completed. by the programme of each disinformation within a Swedish study cluster. Italy study has been specific country: satisfactorily undertaken commissioned but with no vulnerabilities; issues by third party outside this completion date yet agreed. specific to the country programme. Partial in question; trends. Netherlands study completed. 2. Evaluation study comparing the differences in the way Background work to this study partially completed All data researched by the Institute Completion of the study report Written report for widespread dissemination; Sept 2017 8 V. 160104 Each date will be determined by Written report for widespread the event and the cluster dissemination, private and public programme when agreed briefings, and/or social media distribution Completion of the lexicon/ Written report for widespread report dissemination; date TBD Written report for widespread Completion of the manual/ report dissemination; date TBD Progress will be reported on a Engagement of focus groups of monthly basis and the Russian citizens meeting in third programme amended according countries in summer/autumn to developing circumstances, driven by the pace of local/ 2017 and early 2018 9 V. 160104 countries as relevant international events. 7. Devising and undertaking work to determine the relevance of the Russia work to learning how to counter Daesh and others. In depth study ongoing, will be maintained and expanded All data researched by the Institute Progress will be reported on a monthly basis and the programme amended according to developing circumstances Engagement of key leaders in target local communities to explore the setting up of a programme. First meetings planed for summer 2017 Activities linked to Output 2 Output 3: Dissemination of knowledge Indicator(s) Baseline Sources Milestones Target & Date 1. Publication schedule of in depth studies, policy briefs, textbooks The publications will complement existing work All material will be produced by the Institute Completion of each publication. Progress reporting on a monthly basis Written report for widespread dissemination; date TBD 2. Translation of publications into English or the local language, plus into Russian There is an immense need for work in local languages so as to be accessible to local leaderships and journalists who do not speak English. There is an even greater need for work in Russian, to We will translate both original material produced by the Institute and also selected other material for which permission to translate can be obtained Completion of each publication. Progress reporting on a monthly basis Written report for widespread dissemination; date TBD 10 V. 160104 inform Russian citizens, reinforce the democratic opposition, and reach Russian speaking populations of W 7 C European states 3. Preparation of a course on discernment for schoolchildren Some experience exists, on the basis of which we are developing a course framework We are working in partnership with Tallinn Technical University and Chester University UK Progress reporting on a monthly basis The development and implementation of a pilot project for trialling in schools in NW England in autumn 2017 4. Preparation of a course on information literacy for University-level students Some examples exist, on the model of which we are developing a course framework Our programme will reflect best practice drawn from existing models and tailored to identified specific needs Progress reporting on a monthly basis The development and implementation of a pilot project for trialling in VUB in autumn 2017 5. Preparation of a video distance learning course on disinformation and malign influence No such programmes exist We are working in partnership with HQ NATO Progress reporting on a monthly basis The development of a pilot video for trialling in Universities in autumn 2017 6. Formalization of a process of dissemination by targeted emails and hard copy of papers and studies produced by the Institute or from other trusted sources. This process exists but needs formalizing and amplifying We will (re-) distribute our own material and good work done by others The process will be tightly monitored with feedback and progress reporting on a monthly basis To ensure effectiveness distribution will be according to carefully drawn-up lists, varying between a handful of people and several hundreds of recipients. 7. Formalisation of a process of social media dissemination of This process exists but needs formalizing and amplifying We will (re-) distribute our own material and good work done by others The process will be tightly monitored with feedback and progress reporting on a monthly Tweeting and retweeting has the potential to reach thousands 11 relevant key points, studies etc generated either by the Institute or by a third party. 8. Delivery of IfS staff currently deliver All material will be produced presentations and 6-8 such presentations by the Institute briefings to official, weekly to a variety of military, and economic audiences. These are well (eg City) audiences received and need to be expanded in number 9. Devising and Very little work has been implementing counter done in open source on measures, both general this area and much more and specific to each is needed, country 10. Introduce Information No such modules exist All material will be produced warfare and political but market research by the Institute/VUB (hybrid) warfare shows a significant modules in the interest in them curriculum of relevant VUB IES Masters' programmes All material will be produced by the Institute V. 160104 basis Progress reporting and feedback We are currently reaching ci¬ on a monthly basis 200 people monthly. This figure can be increased considerably Progress reporting and feedback Target for this work is to on a monthly basis produce tested material by autumn 2017 Progress reporting and feedback Target for this work is to on a monthly basis produce tested material by autumn 2017 12 V. 160104 Activities linked to Output 3 Sustainability How will the project ensure benefits are sustained once the project funding ends? The programme is proposed to run until March 2019, to ensure that the clusters established in each country have sufficient time to take root, find funding, and demonstrate their effectiveness. Funding for year 2018-9 will be sought from a variety of sources. The programme will create a critical mass of individuals from across society (think tanks, academia, politics, the media, government and the military) whose work will be mutually reinforcing. Creating the network of networks will also give each national group good international access. Together, these conditions plus the growing awareness within governments of the need for this work should guarantee the continuity of the work under various auspices and in various forms. Monitoring Please note that the Grant Contract specifies the need for (at least) quarterly reporting on progress and finances As the programme is working in a highly volatile international environment, it will likely need to adapt constantly to remain fit for purpose. Consequently, monthly contact with the FCO is requested for reporting and guidance. 13 V. 160104 Risks What are the key risks in implementing this project and how are you going to manage them Add more tines as required Larger/higher value projects will require a full Risk Management Strategy. You should consider whether one is needed for this project. You should also think here about when risks should be escalated Risk Impact Low/ Medium/ High Like¬ lihood L/M/H Management How wilt the risk be managed and monitored, what are the mitigating actions, and who is the risk owner Escalation Point At what stage will the management of this risk need to be escalated A malicious court case brought on a pretext by an individual or law company engaged by a stooge of the Russian government with the aim of harassing key individuals and disrupting the programme. Medium/ high Low/med ium Constant management attention to detail to prevent inadvertent statements in publications. Review of all potential contentious material by the Institute's legal experts. Taking out a libel insurance policy covering this risk. The risk owner is the Institute On receipt of information that a writ may be issued. Insurance will be taken out pre¬ emptively A DDOS attack is carried out against the Institute servers; participants in the programme are hacked or trolled; the websites are tampered with and content of material altered, security is breached internally. medium medium The maintenance of good IT firewalls and cyber hygiene procedures. Good management procedures to reduce internal malicious breaches of IT security and encourage instant reporting of mistakes and anomalies. Regular technical checks. The risk owner is the Institute On receipt of evidence of a breach; lowering of technical performance; sudden departure of a staff member Adverse publicity generated by Russia or by supporters of Russia in target countries, or by political and interest groups affected by the work of the programme, aimed at discrediting the programme or its participants, or to create political embarrassment medium Low/med ium Education of all participants in the programme to ensure understanding of the risk. Care taken in public statements, interview, conferences. Counselling of victims in event of a problem. Cultivating good relationships with journalists to provide support and counter attack. The risk owners are the Institute and participating individuals Unexpected, unwarranted or aggressive media interest, or the appearance of articles and reports. Stakeholders Who are the people or groups with an interest in this project and who wilt be affected by it and/or can influence its success either positively or negatively? How will you manage your Stakeholders Interest L/M/H Influence L/M/H Engagement / Communications plan (How to engage, how often and who by/who to) Owner All participants in the national clusters High High Regular contact needs to be maintained with all participants as well as with cluster leaders to ensure enthusiasm, All staff 14 V. 160104 engagement with them Add more tines as required Larger/higher value projects wiii require a full Stakeholder Engagement & Communications Strategy. You should consider whether one is needed for this project. check competence, and keep up morale. A programme staff member will be engaged for this specific function, but all team members must be engaged in the process. To be effective, the network must be actively maintained and grown. A passive network will be unable to engage with and defeat the threat, and will ultimately disintegrate. Officials in national governments and international institutions. medium high Officials have a limited time availability and are often overworked. Adverse publicity or an admin problem can be disproportionately upsetting. Attention to their requirements and sensitivity to their vulnerabilities need to be borne in mind by all in the programme. All participants Programme funders high high Funders are entitled to expect both efficiency and effectiveness in the carrying out of the programme. Regular reporting and good communications will ensure the funders are satisfied and can have immediate impact should something worry them. Institute staff Our targets high high Our work will annoy a lot of people, who may therefore try to disrupt it. This problem cannot be avoided, but may be reduced by avoiding unnecessarily abusive or provocative action. Steady, effective education of our policy makers and opinion formers will widen the support base and be more effective than shrill, high profile events with no follow through. Good political support achieved by carefully building good All participants 15 V. 160104 relations is very valuable in event od confrontation occurring 16 V. 160104 Beneficiary Groups Describe the level of participation of beneficiary group(s) in planning the project Does the plan reflect the wishes/needs of the beneficiaries [Beneficiaries are those organisations , groups or individuals who are benefiting from the change that the project will deliver] Signature of Implementing Agency Lead Contact The beneficiaries will include Western policymakers and national governments across Europe , as well as the populations of these countries who would be affected by Russian disinformation, destabilisation and malign influence. Other direct beneficiaries will be those effective institutions working in this area which this programme will actively support and whose work we will disseminate and publicise. Also benefitting will be genuine media outlets whose reputation is undermined by Russian state propaganda outlets such as RT and Sputnik, masquerading as media sources. Most of all, the Western system of democratic values will benefit for being protected against attack by those powers who would seek to overturn our system and all it stands for. Chris N Tsonnelltj Date 27 04 2017 17 V. 161210 Part B: To be completed by Post What Programme Objectives does this project help meet Programme Country Business Plan Prosperity Fund only: Intermediate outcome from the PF Theory of Change How will this project help to deliver that Objective Contact name and details at Post In addition to the “need for the Project” set out above, what benefit will the Project deliver for the UK? Please note that if the Project is ODA eligible the primary purpose of the Project must be the development of the host country. How have lessons learned from previous similar projects been taken into consideration in the development of this idea What consideration has been given to an exit strategy to ensure that the project does not create dependence? Please provide details Evaluation Witt this project be evaluated? Projects over £500,000 must be evaluated, and this should happen within 6-12 months of the Project Completion Report being submitted to London For Projects between £100,000 and £500,000 please highlight to the Programme Team if you think it would be useful for this Project to be evaluated. Yes / No: When: Yes / No: Please ensure that a decision is made with Project Evaluations will have to come from the Propramme Team and the evaluation is added to the evaluation plan. Fundinq for the Programme budget The Implementer Provide details of any previous work with the Implementing Agency, and relevant background information on financial, 18 V. 161210 reputational, organisational etc issues Cross Cutting Issues What additional impact witi the project have on issues such as the environment, diversity and human rights? Please note both positive and negative possible impacts For ODA projects: Are you satisfied that the proposed activity is likely to contribute to a reduction in poverty? Yes / No. Please explain briefly how. For ODA projects: Are you satisfied that the proposed activity will promote gender equality? If this is not possible, are you satisfied it will not contribute to further gender inequality? Yes / No. Please include examples where possible. Human rights (HR) assessment For projects in the security and justice sectors: Have you completed an assessment under the Overseas Security & Justice Assistance Guidance? Yes / No Please summarise the results including the key risks and mitigation measures and overall rating For other projects: Do you consider that there is a serious risk that the assistance might directly or significantly contribute to a violation of human rights and/or IHL? If YES what is the risk: CHECKLIST Consultancy Value Programme Are consultants being used in the delivery of this Project? If yes, please ensure that you check the requirements within the CVP on Corporate Procurement Group’s Sharepoint site Yes/No Marketing & Advertising Freeze Will elements of the Project include Marketing or Advertising products and services that are externally procured i.e. will incur cost to FCO. If yes, refer to the guidance on the Comms & Engagement Sharepoint site and complete the necessary clearance forms Yes/No TV & Film Production Is the project producing any television programmes or films (including documentaries)? If yes, you must seek approval from the relevant junior minister’s private office. Yes/No Advance Payments Will the implementer require payments in advance? If Yes, please complete the Advance Payment request Form (Programme Office's Sharepoint site) as early as possible. Please note, advance payments will ONLY be made where there is a clear justification Yes/No Open competition Has the project been part of an open Bidding Round or Tender process? If not you should refer to your programme team in the first instance to make sure you comply with competition requirements. Yes/No Gifting Witt any of the goods procured during the project become the property of the implementer or beneficiary? If Yes, please consult the Gifting & Granting Guidance (Programme Office’s Sharepoint site). Please note, goods purchased during a project wilt usually remain the property of HMG and wilt need to be disposed of in accordance with guidance Yes/No Contract There must be a signed contract in place between FCO and the implementer, prior to any activities commencing. Please ensure that the 19 V.161210 implementer is aware of the content of the Contract well in advance of having to sign. Please refer to guidance on Grant Contracts (Programme Office's Sharepointsite). If the project is being implemented by a commercial organisation/ business, please see CPG’s Sharepointsite for guidance on Commercial Contracts. Due Diligence Reasonable checks must be made on the potential implementing organisation prior to initiating the project and your findings recorded (see Programme Office Sharepointsite). Please confirm that checks will be/ have been carried out. Can this project be referred to publicly, or are there sensitivities that would preclude publicity. If public, please provide an unclassified form of words describing the project, which can be used in briefing materials. Comments from policy lead either geographical or thematic Does the project have your support? Date of Post Programme Board at which the bid was approved Comments from Post Programme Board [Note: All bids must be appraised by the Post Programme Board] Include here, information on why the Project was approved, plus any conditions that were attached. Signature of Board Chair Date Comments from London Programme Board (if applicable) Date Useful links: Programme Office: http://ubs.sharepoint.fco.qov.uk/sites/ops/OU/SPF Office/default.aspx Corporate Procurement: http://ubs.sharepoint.fco.qov.uk/sites/finance/procurement/default.aspx Comms & Engagement: http://restricted.sharepoint.fco.qov.uk/sites/comms/default.aspx 20