VOST Europe is a volunteer-driven network of Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOSTs) operating in Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Slovakia, and Greece. Initially established to meet the urgent need for real-time information dissemination and effective communication during emergencies,

VOST Europe has since evolved into a structured network dedicated to providing accurate and reliable information to the public. Its mission extends to raising awareness of disinformation narratives and reporting misleading content to very large online platforms. Additionally, the organization produces

educational materials on disinformation, sharing them across its networks and engaging directly with platforms to highlight content that may violate terms of service and relevant legislation. In response to the growing threat of disinformation, VOST Europe plays a crucial role in fostering

public trust and resilience by ensuring the availability of verifiable information during crises. Throughout the reporting period, the network has strengthened its volunteer base dedicated to monitoring, identifying, and reporting disinformation across multiple digital platforms. VOST Europe's

online presence remains substantial, with over six million total impressions and over 300,000 engagements. As an active member of the EU-HYBNET network, VOST Europe has continued to disseminate critical information on disinformation narratives to consortium partners and affiliated stakeholders.

Furthermore, the organization has contributed to raising awareness of the European Commission’s Code of Practice on Disinformation, clarifying its significance to various actors within the information ecosystem.

VOST Europe has actively engaged in the permanent task force established under the Code of Practice on Disinformation, where it has assumed the co-chairmanship of the “Crisis Response Subgroup” while also contributing to other working groups, including the Elections Subgroup. Within the Crisis Response Subgroup, VOST Europe has spearheaded the development of a technological proposal for a "Crisis Response Centre," created in collaboration with other civil society organizations and fact-checking signatories of the Code of Practice. This proposal has been submitted to the European Commission for further evaluation.

Furthermore, VOST Europe has led efforts to enhance transparency by developing a new Transparency Centre aligned with the Code of Practice’s objectives. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with VOST Portugal, has resulted in the launch of a fully redesigned and modernised platform. The new website features a comprehensive overhaul of both its frontend and backend, addressing previous shortcomings identified by signatories, including digital platforms and civil

society organizations. With a strong emphasis on open data, the updated Transparency Centre aims to provide an improved user experience while facilitating independent analysis. VOST Europe remains committed to combating disinformation and supporting national VOST initiatives in fostering a more informed and resilient society. As the legal representative of VOST Portugal, the organization will continue to contribute to the Task Force of the Code of Practice on Disinformation, while also enhancing the training, deployment, and operational capabilities of its teams to monitor and report disinformation effectively.