CALL FOR A TRAINER ON OSINT IN THE FIELD OF ELECTION OBSERVATION

The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) aims to recruit an international expert to deliver a training on the use of Open Source Intellingence (OSINT) for domestic election observation at the ElectLab (29 June - 3 July), our flagship annual event bringing together domestic election observation CSOs and election experts from across Europe and beyond.

This training should provide general understanding of OSINT principles and current tools, introducing participants to available tools, and equipping them with knowledge needed to develop methodologies that would harness benefits while mitigating risks.

The training will be a part of a three track-programme on the application of and monitoring emergent technology in elections and the trainer is expected to engage with fellow trainers and participants on topics covered in parallel tracks, including Data Protection Monitoring in Elections and Generative Artificial Intelligence and its impact on election integrity.

Topics to be Addressed

The training should cover the topics of general concepts and principles of OSINT, the use of historical research of persons and legal entities, collection, verification and storage of data. Additional topics may be proposed. Illustratively:

Information Research
• Advanced internet search techniques, including country-specific searches
• Optimization of search results and elimination of irrelevant data
• Sourcing documents through logic-based and technical approaches
• Retrieving historical web content and recently deleted information
• Understanding AI’s benefits and limitations for the use of AI-powered search tools

People and Business Research
• Locating and investigating individuals
• Finding and using the personal identification, including legal limitations
• Searching social networks, databases and search engines
• Navigating business research databases
• Tracking company ownership through domain registration and social media
• Tracing current and former employees on social networks

Image Investigation
• Searching databases, websites social media and search engines for images and videos
• Reverse searching photos using Google Lens
• Extracting and translating text from images
• Using biometric facial search and comparison technologies
• Basic image editing to enhance sourced visuals

Storage of Data
• Best practices for preserving OSINT findings
• Comparing screen captures, saved web pages, and interactive evidence storage
• Techniques for archiving social media, audio, and video content

Security Considerations
• Mitigating risks when visiting websites, opening emails, and clicking links
• Essential cybersecurity measures for journalists and investigators
• Utilizing VPNs, encrypted communication, and source protection techniques

Target Group
• Representatives of domestic election observation CSOs from the EU's Eastern Neighborhood, some EU Member States, and some African countries. In particular:
• Heads and senior staff of CSOs interested in integrating emerging technologies
• Technology coordinators within election observation CSOs
• Observer coordinators and election analysts engaged in developing innovative monitoring methodologies

Training Structure

The duration of the training is up to four full days. The ideal curricula should combine expert-led presentations, practical sessions, and case studies/interactive discussions, creating space for both knowledge exchange and applied learning.

Training sessions may be simultaneously interpreted depending on participants' language skills. The trainer must be available prior to the training for consultations and joint conceptualization of the training together with other trainers. The organizers will cover all travel and accommodation costs.