PRIORITY · DEMOCRACY
Stronger democracy through participation, literacy, and evidence.
From civic participation to civic tech, from media literacy to social entrepreneurship — our democracy work strengthens the skills, tools, and policy environments that healthy democracies depend on. At a moment when both are under genuine pressure across Europe.
THE CHALLENGE
Democracy is under pressure.
Across Europe, trust in democratic institutions is declining. Disinformation spreads faster than verified news. Polarisation hardens. Civic participation rates fall, especially among younger generations and marginalised communities. The skills citizens need to navigate this environment — media literacy, critical thinking, deliberative practice — are not built into most curricula.
Strengthening democracy requires building these skills systematically, at scale, and across the full lifespan of learners. It requires the right tools and platforms. And it requires evidence-based policy that knows what actually works — and what does not.
OUR APPROACH
How we approach democratic work.
Our democracy work spans six connected areas, guided by four principles refined across European projects.
Skills, not slogans
Concrete competences citizens can use — analysing sources, deliberating productively, engaging in policy processes — not generic civic education.
Tools that empower citizens
Civic tech, online platforms, and digital tools designed to lower the barriers to participation and put real power in citizens' hands.
Evidence over assumptions
Research and evaluation are core to our democracy work. We build evidence about what works, what does not, and why — feeding that back into policy and practice.
Inclusive participation
Civic participation that genuinely reaches people who are routinely outside political processes — not just the already-engaged.
WHAT WE DELIVER
What we deliver in democracy.
Across our democracy-focused projects, our work covers six connected areas:
Civic participation programmes
Models for participatory budgeting, citizen panels, deliberative dialogue, and structured engagement processes — at local, regional, and European levels.
Civic tech
Online platforms, digital tools, and interactive resources that lower the barriers to civic participation. Building on our long-standing digital capability to put modern tools in citizens' and civil society's hands.
Media literacy curricula
Resources for adult learners, educators, and community workers on identifying disinformation, verifying sources, and thinking critically about media.
Social entrepreneurship support
Training, mentoring, and resources for social entrepreneurs building businesses that address social challenges — connecting civic mission to sustainable models.
Social policy contributions
Evidence, recommendations, and expert input feeding into European, national, and local policy on civic participation, media literacy, and democratic resilience.
Research and evaluation
Studies, needs analyses, and impact evaluations that strengthen the evidence base for democratic practice — and ensure our projects keep learning.
PROJECTS IN THIS AREA
Our work in democracy.
Active and completed projects across the democracy priority. Switch between Active and Completed to filter the list.
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Working on democratic participation? Get in touch.
From civic tech platforms to media literacy curricula, from social entrepreneurship support to research and evaluation — we partner with consortia across Europe on projects that strengthen democracy in practice. We respond to enquiries within 2 working days.