Punishing democratic rights Yasunidos #activists defending nature and #participation were fined $18,000 for exercising their legal rights. This is an attack on #democratic participation, meant to deter citizens from speaking up. Check their channels to support.

On the morning of Europe’s most watched #election, we brought together activists, observers, journalists & #democracy experts to discuss #Hungary’s and #Europe’s future. Hope was in the room, though no one yet knew it would begin to come true that evening.

#Hungary proves #democracy’s doubters wrong 🇭🇺 Tisza and Péter Magyar’s win opens a path to restore courts, media, and open politics. Civil society is hopeful, but real change takes time and commitment. With a constitutional majority, they must act responsibly. We’ll be watching.

Planning to launch a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) but not sure your idea qualifies? Check the eligibility criteria first. Need help? The ECI Forum offers expert guidance: citizens-initiative-forum.europa.eu/_de #Democracy #CitizenParticipation #ECI #ECIForum #CivicEngagement

Sei dabei im #LichtlaborDemokratie 15.–19.04 | Kulturbunker Köln Ob beim Slam-Poetry-Workshop zur Demokratie oder bei der Reflexion über die Rolle der EU, wir diskutieren Ideen und entwickeln politisches Follow up www.democracy-international.org/lichtlabor-d...

Life as an Activist Documentary is now live 🌍 Stories from Latin America on climate, democracy & community action rooted in courage, resistance, and reimagining participation today. Link in Bio

Wir bereiten ein besonderes Event für Euch vor. Erlebt das LichtLabor Demokratie: eine immersive Licht- und Klanginstallation zu Europas Rolle in der Welt. 15.–19. April | Köln Jetzt anmelden: democracy-international.org/events/light... #Demokratie #EU4Global

Three days. Eight countries. One goal. Citizens came together in Bulgaria to tackle disinformation, youth participation, and digital responsibility. Democracy works when people shape it. #EU4Global #Democracy #Participation

Experience democracy differently 💡 LightLab Democracy: Europe's role in the world is where ideas, art, and action collide. #democracy #LightLab

Happy birthday to the #EuropeanCitizensInitiative! 14 years of empowering citizens in Europe Since then: • 129 initiatives registered • 14 initiatives collected over one million signatures • Real impact on EU policy and debate Celebrate with us & explore the initiatives!

Young people have the ideas. They need the space to act on them. You(th)&Dem brought youth together to turn ideas into real impact across communities. 🌍

People. Power. Planet. What does it mean to stand up for democracy and the environment? Follow four activists in South America taking action to protect their communities and shape a more democratic, sustainable future. Out now: youtu.be/KPa-IeqhKCs?... #Democracy #ClimateAction

Italy's Referendum Giustiza showed this clearly: They pushed people to vote but couldn't control how they voted. Participation does not equal agreement. That's the power of direct democracy🇮🇹🗳️

Where memory meets us. Miray Kurt shares her visit to Bosnia through #YouthBridgesEurope, showing how personal stories make remembrance a democratic responsibility. Read more: democracy.community/stories/wher...

Sei dabei im #LichtlaborDemokratie 15.–19.04 | Kulturbunker Köln Ob beim Slam-Poetry-Workshop zur Demokratie oder bei der Reflexion über die Rolle der EU, wir diskutieren Ideen und entwickeln politisches Follow-up. www.democracy-international.org/lichtlabor-d...

#DirectDemocracy is a powerful response to democratic decline. We’ve launched a Chair in Comparative Direct Democracy with Université catholique de Lille & Swiss Democracy Foundation. Join us on 27 March 2026, 12:00–16:00. Be part of the conversation. #CivicEngagement

Launching an #ECI in uncertain times—what actually works? Here are 5 key lessons from the Good Food For All ECI: 1️⃣ Connect people across sectors 2️⃣ Learn from past successful ECIs 3️⃣ Push through setbacks & uncertainty Curious about the rest? Read the full blog 👇 #CivicEngagement #Democracy

What do #war museums teach us about safeguarding #democracy? Minh Quoc Hung Dang and Henry Kroll explore Bosnia’s War Child Museum and Srebrenica Genocide Museum. Personal stories make war horrors real & show why democracy must be protected. Read more: democracy.community/stories/peop...

Real climate action starts with participation. 🌍 Last week in Brussels we watched People. Power. Planet. with partners and explored how democratic participation empowers communities to shape climate solutions. #Cit4Climate #Participation #Democracy

What does war look like through a child’s eyes? As part of #YouthBridgesEurope, Guillaume Freyermuth visited the War Childhood Museum in Bosnia. His blog reflects on childhood, war, and how #remembrance can strengthen democratic resilience. Read more via: https//www.democra...

Sei dabei im #LichtlaborDemokratie 15.–19.04 | Kulturbunker Köln Ob beim Slam-Poetry-Workshop zur Demokratie, im Panel zu Teilhabe, bei der Reflexion über die Rolle der EU oder beim Gestalten deines Wahlplakats, wir diskutieren Ideen und entwickeln politisches Follow-up.

Iftar Mubarak 🤲 On 9 March we gathered for an evening of shared food, a Ramadan & democracy quiz, and conversations on civic participation. After the call to prayer, participants broke the fast together and continued the dialogue. #InterculturalDialogue #Democracy

Mobilisation for #democracy in Switzerland. Swiss voters rejected the “200 francs is enough!” initiative, protecting #PublicBroadcasting and media diversity. Democracy International Board Member Bruno Kaufmann calls it an encouraging signal for direct democracy worldwide.

How do you run a successful #campaign? The “Justice for Palestine” #ECI shows what works: • Build broad civil society alliances • Combine digital and offline outreach • Link citizen action with advocacy Read the full blog: citizens-initiative-forum.europa.eu/citizens-exp... #CivicEngagement

How can Europe strengthen and defend democracy? At Civil Society Week we explored the EU Democracy Shield and how to counter disinformation and protect democratic institutions. But democracy also means participation. Tools like the #ECI give people the power to shape EU policy.

Looking forward to seeing you next Tuesday, 10 March. Register now!

Strong democracies start with active citizens. In Latvia, we discussed democratic resilience with partners from Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania. Key takeaway: NGOs are vital for civil defence and societal resilience. #EU4Global #EUintheWorld #CERV

Democracy starts with participation. 🌍 This March, join Democracy International for a climate project, Civil Society Week, a youth Programme or a digitalisation initiative. Take action and strengthen democracy with us. ✊ #Democracy #CivicEngagement #ClimateAction

European democracy delivers. 1.1 million Europeans backed #MyVoiceMyChoice. The Commission responded. Abortion care is recognised as healthcare. EU funds can support access. A win for women, equality and European democracy. #Democracy

European Commission response to My Voice My Choice drops this week. After meetings, a public hearing and a Parliament vote, the ECI process reaches its final step. Follow us for what this means for reproductive rights in Europe. #Democracy #ECI #ReproductiveRights

Democracy and climate justice need citizen action. 📽 2 March 2026 (18:00–21:00) World Premiere of People Power Planet + panel discussion 🛠 3 March (10:00–18:00) Tools in Action workshop 📍 Pianofabriek, Brussels Register via: www.democracy-international.org/events/peopl... #Citizen4Climate #Democracy

Has complexity become a way to avoid responsibility? In Sarajevo and Mostar, Yeşim Topuz witnessed how shared streets still hold invisible divides. Her blog explores why embracing complexity is key to solidarity. Read more: www.democracy.community/stories/wher... #YouthBridgesEurope #Democracy

Looking forward to seeing you in 1 week for Civil Society Week - register now!

Tagesschau cites Democracy International’s critical assessment of Trump’s new “Board of Peace”. Caroline Vernaillen warns of risks to global democratic norms and U.S. credibility. Our statement: lnkd.in/eNB-xTju Tagesschau Article: lnkd.in/e-NWFYHP #GlobalGovernance

We’ve grown – and it’s time to reintroduce ourselves. So… who are we? Swipe to learn more about Democracy International – what drives us and what we do to make our vision closer to reality. Want to learn more about us? Link in bio. #Democracy #CivicEngagement #GlobalChange

Digitale Teilhabe ist keine App-Frage, es ist eine Machtfrage. Fehlende Digitalkompetenz bleibt eine zentrale Herausforderung. Doch Lösungen wie Digitalcafés schaffen Raum für Austausch und Vertrauen. Denn klar ist: #Teilhabe funktioniert nur mit #Vertrauen. #Digitalisierung

On 18 February, members of the YASunidos collective appeared before the Tribunal Contencioso Electoral for a hearing that lasted over eight hours. The case could result in fines and the suspension of political rights for four years. Full statement: democracy-international.org/publications...

Have an idea for #change at #EU level? Join our webinar to learn how to launch a successful #EuropeanCitizensInitiative from legal requirements to avoiding common mistakes. 10 March 2026 | 12:30–13:30 (online) Register now: citizens-initiative-forum.europa.eu/practical-gu...

Is #GlobalDirectDemocracy utopian or already emerging? Caroline Vernaillen joins Dane Waters to discuss how citizens’ initiatives and referendums can counter polarisation and elite capture. 7–10 October: Global Forum in #Botswana. Listen now: lnkd.in/eXUT5tex #Democracy

What can Bosnia and Afghanistan teach us about unity? Through #YouthBridgesEurope, Muzhda Ahmadu visited Bosnia and saw reflections of her own childhood in Afghanistan. That strengthened her belief that remembering the past protects #democracy. Read more: www.democracy.community/stories/mids...

What does it mean to grow up in war? Rumeysa Akyol visited Bosnia’s Child War Museum through #YouthBridgesEurope, reflecting on how conflict shapes childhood, memory and democracy. Read “Childhood in War: Reflections from Bosnia”: www.democracy.community/stories/chil... #Democracy #Bosnia

Is fundamental change possible in Bangladesh? Today, citizens vote in a referendum that could reshape the constitution and expand fundamental rights. What could this mean for democracy’s future? #Democracy #Referendum #Bangladesh

UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan visited our office, warning of rising hate speech and shrinking civic space in Germany. Lawful speech must be met with debate, not censorship. We need a pluralistic civic space. Read more: lnkd.in/egeFXKdV #FreedomOfExpression #CivicSpace

Digitalisierung & Demokratie – wie können wir sie mit gestalten 📅 19. Februar 2026 🕕 8:00–21:00 Uhr 📍 Rathaus Siegburg, Nogenter Platz 10, 53721 Siegburg Link in Bio oder hier: www.democracy-international.org/de/events/di... #Digitalisierung #Demokratie #Siegburg #Kommunen #EPartizipation

Join us at Civil Society Week to explore how participatory democracy can make Europe more responsive and inclusive. Meet us at: • ECI Day Meet and Greet – 2 March • Mind the Gap workshop – 4 March Brussels or online | March 2026 Register via: www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/ou... #ECIDay2026

You don’t need to be a superhero to get involved - just curiosity and the courage to start. Activists from Latin America can serve as inspiration. Get inspired by activists: democracy.community/life-as-an-activist

Participation in action! Major success for the Initiative: 1.3 million verified signatures. Now the European Commission must respond – citizen participation shapes EU policy. Follow us for more ECI news. #EuropeanCitizensInitiative #ParticipatoryDemocracy #CitizenParticipation

Democracy, regions & €2 trillion: the next EU budget is a make-or-break moment to rebuild trust—if citizens and transparency come first. That was the focus of our 4 Feb discussion, closing with three big ideas for democracy: inclusion by design, an approach to EU enlargement, and visible impact.

Join us & 60 young international people. We’ll meet in Vallendar & Cologne (15.-19.04.2026) to discover democratic tools in action & dive into workshops. Sign up via: lnkd.in/euJFdmDp This project is funded by the EU. #YouthBridgesEurope #YouthForDemocracy #YouthEmporwement

Join us on 4 February to explore how the EU budget can advance transparency and democratic oversight. 📍INFO HUB, European Parliament// 10:00–13:00 CET. Register here: info-hub.booking.europarl.europa.eu/events/the-p...