14.03.2025
On March 12, 2025, the GATE Institute at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" hosted the official launch of DisinfoHack 2025 – Bulgaria's first "slow hackathon" focused on researching and countering disinformation. This initiative marks a significant step toward building a sustainable digital and media literacy ecosystem in Bulgaria.
DisinfoHack 2025 is part of the CoDE project – Countering Disinformation Environment in Bulgaria. It brings together experts from academia, business, institutions, and civil society. Over the next two months, participants will work in interdisciplinary teams, attend training sessions and mentorship meetings, and develop innovative solutions to identify and limit disinformation.
The Role of Sofia University’s Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" plays a key role in DisinfoHack 2025 at both an organizational and strategic level. Key contributors include:
- Dr. Irena Mladenova – Project Lead, CoDE, overseeing the scientific framework and strategic direction of the hackathon.
- Antonia Boynovska – Business & Strategy Consultant, CoDE, supporting the development of sustainable business models to counter disinformation.
- Dr. Aleksey Potebnya – Communications Lead, DisinfoHack 2025, managing the project's public outreach and media representation.
Key Topics of the Hackathon
Participants in DisinfoHack 2025 will work on solutions in the following areas:
Bulgaria’s Accession to the Eurozone – Identifying disinformation narratives, analyzing media content, and using digital tools for fact-checking.
The War in Ukraine – Understanding propaganda's influence on democratic processes and enhancing digital security strategies.
NATO in Bulgaria / Bulgaria in NATO – Examining NATO-related disinformation and legal mechanisms for protecting journalism.
Migration – Investigating disinformation narratives surrounding migration and their impact on public perceptions.
Highlights from the Opening Ceremony
The official opening featured leading experts, academics, institutional representatives, and business leaders, emphasizing the project’s significance for Bulgaria’s information environment.
Nikolay Dotsev, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Defense, delivered an official greeting on behalf of Minister Atanas Zapryanov, highlighting the importance of critical thinking in today’s digital landscape.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Todor Yalamov, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, discussed the economic aspects of disinformation, emphasizing that it operates as a business model generating significant financial resources. He stressed the need for economic strategies to increase the costs of running disinformation campaigns.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Velizar Shalamanov, CoDE Capability Coordinator, pointed out the role of information operations and the importance of building a resilient digital environment.
Prof. Nelly Ognyanova, Chair of the CoDE Coordination Council and Head of the DisinfoHack 2025 Jury, addressed the legal aspects of disinformation, noting that the European Union is already implementing regulatory mechanisms to safeguard the information space.
What’s Next?
DisinfoHack 2025 is just the beginning of a broader strategy to develop long-term solutions for tackling disinformation. The project will deliver analyses, tools, and business models to support a sustainable information ecosystem in Bulgaria.
The final event will take place on May 8, 2025, where teams will present their solutions to a jury of experts. The outcomes will then be integrated into the CoDE Academy, providing structured training and long-term impact on media literacy.
Follow the Project & Get Involved
The CoDE Project and DisinfoHack 2025 continue to gain momentum, attracting interest and support across various sectors. Stay updated:
- Official Website: www.disinfohack.com
- LinkedIn: DisinfoHack Academy
- Facebook: DisinfoHack
- Instagram: @disinfohack
- YouTube: DisinfoHack Hackathons Bulgaria
- Contact: info@disinfohack.com
DisinfoHack 2025 is the first step toward a more transparent, informed, and resilient digital ecosystem in Bulgaria. We look forward to seeing the results and future initiatives!