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‪In 2019, the Treaty of Aachen endorsed a Franco-German desire to structure binational cultural institutes on an international scale. In the increasingly competitive context of soft power, these institutes represent a promising new era in transnational public diplomacy for European values. New platforms of communication – particularly social networks – have expanded the toolbox of diplomatic actors. Digital diplomacy skills now seem essential for soft power. Taking as case studies the Franco-German Cultural Institutes (ICFA) in Bishkek and Ramallah, we hone in on the challenges of digital diplomacy through Franco-German transnational cooperation in high-tension geopolitical areas. This raises a communicational challenge for the parties involved that is twofold. The first challenge is intercultural and calls into question the importance of multilingualism as well as the ability to juggle between different administrative systems. The second is transcultural and concerns the projection of hypothetical Franco-German synergy at the local level. Based on interviews with the actors involved in Franco-German digital diplomacy and an analysis of their social networks, it appears that the ICFAs are providing considerable added value in terms of resources, visibility and impact on the local scene.‪