Supporting Engagement in European Elections and Democratic Societies

2026-07-22

Supporting Engagement in European Elections and Democratic Societies (SEEEDS) aims at improving transnational, citizen-led and policy-oriented cooperation on electoral inclusion and voter mobilisation ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections. It does so by deploying a non-partisan participatory approach that timely addresses challenges to electoral rights, builds civil society capacity to fully understand and assess the European elections, engages in policy dialogue with EU decision makers, and promotes wide electoral participation. SEEEDS will highlight equality and inclusion, transparency and accountability, and risks and opportunities in the European elections with a view to foster vertical citizen-policymaker and horizontal transnational citizen relations and the goal to strengthen overall electoral integrity. SEEEDS bridges the gap between active citizens and policymaking processes and enhances the knowledge of civil society from all EU Member States about emerging legislation and selected electoral themes, with a focus on women, youth, mobile citizens and voters from underrepresented target groups, highlights potential shortcomings, and shares good practices with EU policymakers. Through inclusive deliberations and campaigning, active citizens can truly support general public engagement in the EP elections, and will collectively be in a better position to tackle the specific challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread disinformation and other threats in the digital domain, and democratic backsliding in some EU Member States. After the European Parliament elections, the transnational network will draw joint lessons in view of a comprehensive post-electoral assessment, will be capacitated for further action throughout EU and EU Member States' electoral cycles, and to deepen transnational partnerships on a shared advocacy roadmap for electoral reforms.

Belgium, Austria, Germany

2025-12-15