COVIDemocracy in the Baltics

2026-07-22

As we are stepping into the post-COVID-19 era, we are to deal with new political and societal realities. The pandemic highlighted persistent problems in the region, such as poorly functioning institutions and weak political culture. Countless top-down restrictive measures by national and EU decision makers resulted in diminished appreciation for democracy and fundamental rights in partner countries. Significant increase in popular support for military rule, appetite for strongman leadership, and support for populists – those are some of the changes observed in the societies of the Baltic states. This project will elevate public debates on challenging issues, and will identify practical solutions for tackling COVID-19 effects on the quality of democracy and enjoyment of human rights. Project‘s smooth implementation will increase citizens‘ awareness about the EU rights and values, and will contribute to the culture of democratic debate in partner countries. An international workshop involving all partners, experts, CSOs, human right defenders and sociologists will produce guidelines for designing focus group discussions, and will set assumptions about how to strengthen our key target group‘s “movable middle” awareness and appreciation of EU values. Results and outcomes of the focus group study will be tested with the citizens and communities during regional events, followed by Democracy festivals, and concluding with the pre-EP Elections events in the capitals of each of the partner countries targeting 1) the “movable middle, 2) local and national political actors including MEPs, and 3) local and national media. Mainstream society will be informed about project activities and project results via information disseminations measures. Advocacy towards policy makers, including MEPs, will be the cornerstone of the project wrap-up activities. Expected output of the project include but are not limited to: - One international workshop and three national debates in each of the partner countries organized with minimum 25 attendees in each; - Focus group survey and Omnibus questions‘ results packaged with infographics for wider distribution via in-person briefing, traditional and social media; - At least four videos and three podcasts created and promoted on social media reaching at least 10.000 people, with at least 5000 unique engagements; - At least six original articles published in the regional and national media; - At least 15 publications in regional and national media coverage on project activities and results in all three partner countries, and in Brussels. At least 50.000 people reached via traditional media and at approx. 10.000 – via social media.

Lithuania

2025-12-15