From 1 to 3 December 2025, our consortium met in Brussels for a three-day workshop organised in collaboration with BRIAS. Bringing together researchers, stakeholders, and watchdog organisations, the event examined the regulatory, technical, and structural challenges associated with the governance and societal impact of Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). The overarching objective was to articulate a set of socio-technical principles to guide the use of social media in democratic societies and to support long-term resilience within European digital ecosystems.

The first day focused on the limitations of key European regulatory frameworks, including the Digital Services Act (DSA). Discussions juxtaposed the presumed strength of the “Brussels effect” with the persistent patterns of strategic and often malicious semi-compliance displayed by VLOPs.

The second day showcased empirical research on narrative formation, the politics of cultural memory, and the evolving weaponisation of information online. These interventions shed light on how contemporary information dynamics influence public trust, democratic deliberation, and susceptibility to polarisation.

The final day was dedicated to exploring potential pathways to democratic resilience. Participants examined a wide range of issues affecting the digital public sphere on structural, social, economic, and institutional aspects while engaging in collaborative, solution-oriented discussions aimed at identifying actionable insights.

The event concluded with an internal consortium meeting to discuss the drafting of the upcoming deliverable and to outline future research trajectories.