European Democracy
Description
In recent years, there have been important societal transformations sweeping through Europe. On the one hand, a new deliberative-collaborative e-democracy model is emerging worldwide. This model can contribute to a more open and inclusive form of policy-making by involving citizens through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). On the other hand, we are confronted with increasing threats that undermine the foundations and institutions of our democratic societies, such as populism and online disinformation. There is an urgent need to develop a more precise understanding of how these new trends affect our societies and to encourage civic engagement to increase the resilience of our democracy.
ECAS activities in the framework of its European Democracy focus area aim at three objectives:
- Digital Democracy – to explore the potential of ICT in reducing the gap between political representatives and citizens and contributing to the creation of an engaged citizenship through civic tech;
- Understanding Populism – to develop a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of ‘populism’ and to better take citizens’ voices into account in our democratic political systems;
- Civic Engagement – to make a difference in the life of European communities by encouraging civic actions and participatory democracy to address issues of public concern.
2019-2022 Timeframe
In the period 2019 – 2022 ECAS is working to:
- Develop and implement EU projects and services related to European Democracy;
- Advocate for better participatory democracy by exploiting digital technology, at local, national and EU level,
- Improve existing participatory tools, such as the European Citizens Initiative and the EU’s online consultation processes;
- Foster better understanding of populism in Europe through research and trainings;
- Improve citizens’ knowledge on how to access quality information by tackling online disinformation;
- Organise a Digital Democracy Day and an Online Disinformation conference in Brussels as annual events to raise awareness and report on new developments in both areas.
Actions
Digital Democracy:
European Citizens’ Initiative Forum
Co-deciding Europe: Civic Tech for Good Governance and Active Citizenship (CODE Europe)
Digital Democratic Empowerment and Mobilisation for a Stronger EU (DigiDEM)
Promoting the nexus of migrants through active citizenship (NEXUS)
Road to the European Parliament 2019: Empowering a new generation of EU citizens (REP2019)
Understanding Populism:
Democratic Efficacy and the Varieties of Populism in Europe (DEMOS)
Online Disinformation:
Publications
A new dimension of European policy co-creation
By Elisa Lironi and Hendrik Nahr An ideal democracy is where everyone can get together to take joint decisions on rules that apply to all. However, in modern representative democracies, the privilege to formulate public policies is usually granted to elected…
Next Level Participation: Citizen-Driven E-Democracy Tools
‘Next Level Participation: Citizen-Driven E-Democracy Tools’, is authored by ECAS’ Participatory Democracy Manager, Flavio Grazian, and Citizen Deliberation Coordinator Hendrik Nahr, for the European Liberal Forum (ELF). Information and communication technology (ICT) constitutes an essential element of people’s daily lives…
Recommendations for a successful and effective Conference on the Future of Europe
The Conference on the Future of Europe, taken up by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presents an important opportunity to strengthen the democratic quality of the discussion on the future of Europe and a possibility to…
Digital Tools, E-voting and a Changing Democracy: Report from Digital Democracy Day 2019
Digital tools are changing democracy as we know it, bringing along new opportunities, advances and challenges. Online platforms and e-voting practices have given access to the political world where it was lacking before, allowing citizens to be better informed and…
#EUTakeTheInitiative | Join us in Vienna, Austria on 13 December 2018 for a full-day conference on the European Citizens’ Initiative and its reform
The #EUTakeTheInitiative Roadshow is heading to Vienna for its final event of the year! On this occasion we are organising a full-day interactive conference on the European Citizens’ Initiative and its reform. We hope to meet many of you interested…
ECAS’ Executive Director at the 2018 Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights
On 26 and 27 November, ECAS’ Executive Director, Assya Kavrakova took part in the 2018 Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights: Democracy in the EU. The event brought together national and EU policymakers, international organisations, civil society organisations, media and social media representatives, academics…
ECAS’ workshops feature at the We Are Europe Academy
Last weekend, the 2018 edition of the We Are Europe Academy, a training event for civil society activists was held from 9-11 November jointly by ECAS and the Union of European Federalists in Brussels, in the framework of the We are…
State of the Union Citizens’ Rights: Towards the European Elections 2019 – Event report
On 25 September 2018, ECAS held its first annual State of the Union Citizens' Rights conference: towards the European Elections 2019! The first panel focused on current challenges faced by EU citizens with regard to their rights’ enforcement, and the…
“State of the Union Citizens’ Rights: Towards the European Elections 2019!” – ECAS’ Annual Conference, and Launch of the YouVoteEU platform! #SOTUECAS18
The conference explored current challenges to freedom of movement and civic engagement, and analysed grassroots actions of civic campaigning and engagement, in view of the 2019 European Elections. On Tuesday 25 September, ECAS held the first edition of its "State…
Press Release – European Elections 2019: Your Vote Matters and This is How it Will!
A multi-lingual platform for democratic participation in the 2019 elections, co-funded by the European Commission, is launched at ECAS’ State of the Union Citizens’ Rights conference. Tomorrow, Tuesday 25th of September, at ECAS’ State of the Union Citizens’ Rights event 2018,…
