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Article written by
Andreas Müller
Executive Director
mueller@democracy-international.org
Project period
-
Project status
Ongoing
From 2026 to 2028, Democracy International is an official Framework Partner of the European Union under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme. Through our Citizen Participation Package, we bring together citizen participation, youth engagement, policy work and democracy education to strengthen a more inclusive and participatory European democracy.
At the heart of the partnership is a simple idea: democracy works best when everyone can take part.
Over three years, we will create opportunities for people across Europe to learn about their democratic rights, experience participation first-hand and bring their ideas into political debates. We focus especially on people whose voices are too often missing from decision-making, including young people, women, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities and people from minority or migrant backgrounds.
Our work connects Citizen Education and Policy Advice. Through dialogues, consultations, trainings and events, we gather citizens’ experiences and ideas. Through policy papers, advocacy and exchanges with EU decision-makers, we help bring these perspectives into European political discussions.
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What we are doing in 2026
In the first year of the partnership, our activities include:
- a five-day Democracy Camp bringing together around 60 young people from ten EU Member States, who will also contribute to a Youth Democracy Handbook;
- three interactive youth democracy trainings for around 90 young people, with a particular focus on accessible participation opportunities;
- the development of a long-term, youth-led European Youth Democracy Network;
- citizen dialogues, an online consultation and one-to-one conversations, especially with people from communities that are often underrepresented in political processes;
- five EU-focused sessions at the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy, bringing together citizens, civil society, researchers and policymakers;
- at least two policy briefs or position papers, alongside regular exchanges with European decision-makers and the further development of the Circle of Democracy Friends at the European Parliament;
- a Europe-wide communication campaign on democracy, fundamental rights, EU citizenship and opportunities to participate.
In 2026, around 513 people will participate directly in our activities, while our wider communication and outreach aims to reach at least 67,000 people across Europe.
From participation to political impact
Participation should not end when a workshop or consultation is over. The ideas and experiences gathered through our activities feed into our policy work and discussions with European decision-makers.
Our policy briefs and political exchanges focus on making democratic processes more inclusive, accessible and responsive. Through the Circle of Democracy Friends, we also aim to create a regular space for democracy-minded Members of the European Parliament to exchange on citizen participation and democratic reform.
At the same time, our youth activities create opportunities for young people to build skills, connect across borders and develop their own initiatives. The Youth Democracy Network is designed to continue beyond individual events and strengthen a new generation of democracy multipliers across Europe.
Building something that lasts
The Framework Partnership gives us the opportunity to build long-term structures, relationships and methods that can continue beyond the three-year funding period.
By connecting citizens, civil society and European institutions, we want to help make participation in Europe more accessible, more diverse and more meaningful – and ensure that more people can shape the decisions that affect their lives.
Project funding
This project is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CERV. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
