Action plan for shielding citizens’ European democracy

ongoing

This project is about fostering conditions for enhanced citizens’ engagement and participation. We focus on the European democracy shield as a guarantor for flourishing democracy. This would mean shielding European democracy from within by seeking adoption of policies, actions and practical steps to enhance democratic governance and democratic dialogue, shielding European democracy from outside by seeking adoption of policies, actions and practical tools to protect EU democracy from external malign influence, and bolstering gender equality and inclusiveness (seen as necessary condition for stronger democratic Union) by seeking to amplify the voices of women in impactful (policymaking) debates and to invest in future women leaders. Specific objectives for specific objectives for 2026 include 1. to produce and coordinate high-quality policy analysis that would link research and policymaking at European level and it would impact debates, policies and actions contributing towards shielding European democracy, namely producing a roadmap (action plan) towards successful shield, 2. to organize useful and innovative formats of events towards increasing the interaction between citizens (including young people), experts and decision-makers at national and EU level and 3. to facilitate interactive open spaces for dialogue with citizens (outreach) whose insights can then be translated into policy recommendations. From knowledge gathering to knowledge sharing, debating, consulting and reaching out to policymakers and citizens we aim to translate and transmit deeper understanding in a two-way flow for the ultimate achievement of safeguarded and improved European democracy with bolstered citizens’ engagement and participation.