European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) Hubs

The Challenge

Disinformation is a growing threat affecting democracies across Europe.

Context: The European Commission needed a robust, decentralized network to monitor and counter disinformation.
Problem: Coordinating technical efforts across multiple countries, languages, and organizations (Universities, Media Outlets, NGOs) requires complex oversight.
Goal: Establish and maintain reliable digital infrastructures for regional EDMO hubs to facilitate research and public awareness.

I oversee the technical lifecycle of multiple regional observatories, ensuring they serve as effective reliable sources of truth.

Strategy: implement standardized, secure, and accessible web platforms for each regional hub while accommodating their specific local needs.
Key Capabilities:
- Hub Management: Centralized oversight for CEDMO, EDMO Belux, GADMO, and MedDMO.
- Resource Library: structured repositories for fact-checks, media literacy materials, and research reports.
- Cross-Border Collaboration: tools enabling researchers to share findings across the network.

EDMO Hubs Network

The infrastructure prioritizes stability, security, and ease of content management for non-technical editors.

Tech Stack: WordPress (CMS), PHP, Linux Server Environment.
Architecture: Distributed multisite or independent installations optimized for high traffic and resilience.
Key Decisions:
- WordPress: Chosen for its flexibility and ease of use for diverse editorial teams across Europe.
- Custom Development: Tailored themes and plugins to meet specific EU accessibility and reporting standards.

As the Technical Manager, I serve as the bridge between technical teams and stakeholders.

Strategic Oversight: Direct the development roadmap for all ATC-managed EDMO hubs.
Coordinate: Manage cross-functional teams to deliver localized platforms on tight schedules.
Ensure Quality: Enforce strict standards for performance, security, and accessibility (WCAG compliance).

Team Collaboration

Obstacle: Balancing standardized technical requirements with the unique branding and operational needs of each regional hub.
Solution: Adopted a modular development approach, creating a core baseline that can be extended with hub-specific features.
Takeaway: Effective stakeholder management is as critical as technical excellence in large-scale international projects.

Outcome: Successfully launched and maintained platforms for key European hubs (CEDMO, EDMO Belux, GADMO, MedDMO).
Metric: Platforms support thousands of daily visitors seeking verified information.
Feedback: recognized by the EC for contributing to a stronger digital defense against disinformation.