TOR: FIMI and CIB Analysis of the online election campaign ahead of the regional elections in Sachsen-Anhalt, 6 September 2026

1. Background

Plattform Wahlen is a joint initiative of Europäischer Austausch gGmbH and the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE). Building-up on recent election assessment activities (observation of the Nordrhein-Westfalen in September 2025 and Baden-Württemberg in March 2026), Plattform Wahlen will conduct long-term and short-term observation of the upcoming regional elections in Sachsen-Anhalt with up to 100 citizen election observers in line with OSCE/ODIHR and international standards.

For the Sachsen-Anhalt regional elections on September 6th 2026, Plattform Wahlen is hiring an expert for the analysis of eventual foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and coordinated inauthentic behaviour (CIB) in the digital campaign environment covering the last eight weeks before election day. Analysis of findings and proportionality of conclusions will be assessed in close cooperation with the core team of the Election Observation Mission. The findings will be integrated into the comprehensive election assessment report of the mission.

2. Objective

The contractor will provide an expert analysis of FIMI and CIB activity related to the Sachsen-Anhalt State elections. The analysis will identify relevant actors, narratives, platforms, and tactics, and assess the extent to which these activities may have affected the information environment during the campaign period. Findings will inform the assessment and recommendations of the Plattform Wahlen joint election assessment report.

3. Scope of Work

The contractor will:

– Monitor and analyse FIMI and CIB activity targeting the Sachsen-Anhalt electoral context across relevant digital platforms from the start of the contract period (13.7.2026) until election day.

– Identify key narratives, actors, and dissemination patterns, with a focus on foreign-origin or foreign-amplified content and coordinated inauthentic behavior.

– Assess the scale, reach, and potential impact of identified FIMI/CIB activity on the electoral information environment.

– Provide a set of preliminary findings ahead of election day for inclusion in the mission’s preliminary statement (500-700 Words).

– Contribute a final written analysis for integration into the joint Plattform Wahlen assessment report, including recommendations addressed to relevant stakeholders (2000-2500 Words).

– Participate in coordination calls with the Plattform Wahlen core team at agreed intervals to align assessments, conclusions, and recommendations prior to publication.

– Monitor instances of politically motivated election observation, where the framing of observation activity is used to advance partisan narratives or to delegitimise the electoral process.

– The expert may also submit an offer for the analysis of either FIMI or CIB. Plattform Wahlen then would match two separate offers in order to cover both phenomena.

4. Deliverables and Timeline

The following deliverables are required:

Project start and methodology note

By 6th July 2026: Brief description of monitoring approach, platforms covered, tools and data sources to be used as well as previous experience and references where available

Preliminary findings

In the week before election day: Summary of key findings for coordination with Plattform Wahlen and potential inclusion in a preliminary statement.

Final analysis

By 15 September 2026: Complete written analysis suitable for integration into the joint report, including an executive summary and draft recommendations. The final text is subject to edition by the core team of Plattform Wahlen.

5. Partnership and Publication

Findings will be published as part of the joint Plattform Wahlen assessment report. The contractor agrees that the final text, including conclusions and recommendations, will be developed in coordination with and edited by Plattform Wahlen’s leading management. The contractor will be credited as a co-author in the report. Parallel publication of findings related to this mission requires prior agreement with Plattform Wahlen. In case the contractor is acting on behalf of a research institution, an institutional partnership with shared visibility will be a preferred option.

6. Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

– Proven experience in FIMI/CIB analysis in European electoral or political contexts.

– Familiarity with the German digital and media landscape.

– Access to relevant monitoring tools and data sources.

– Capacity to deliver analysis in English; German-language monitoring capacity is an asset.

– Willingness to coordinate closely with Plattform Wahlen on assessment framing and recommendations.

7. Submission of Offers

Offers should include a brief description of the proposed methodology and monitoring approach, a cost breakdown (specifying staff days, daily rates, and any other anticipated costs), and a short profile of the expert, respective the research organisation or team. Please also indicate any relevant prior work in FIMI/CIB analysis.

Offers should be submitted to Plattform Wahlen by 6.7.2026 COB.

Contact

Plattform Wahlen – Europäischer Austausch gGmbH

Erkelenzdamm 59, 10999 Berlin

info@european-exchange.org | www.plattform-wahlen.org