European Democracy Shield

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Source: {"body":{"en":"<p>It is important that the Democracy Shield is not merely a wall built around a status quo with which citizens are unhappy. Building trust in the effectiveness of politics and in citizens’ own agency is essential. These are the main conclusions of a NETS4DEM policy retreat, which discussed the topic of the European Democracy Shield in some detail in autumn 2024. </p><p>Participants had some concerns that the language of shielding is one that inherently promotes a defensive attitude around a status quo with which (according to election results and opinion polling) the public are not completely content. </p><p>Our work in projects at local level and European level shows that democratic innovation is well accepted and welcomed by participants and by those who hear about opportunities to participate. It helps them to understand that citizen voices are more important than commercial or private sector interests. Certain forms of democratic innovation can have measurable effects on decreasing polarisation and increase levels of citizen's trust in both each other and public institutions. </p><p>There is evidence at local levels of governance that democratic innovations can enable more inclusive, robust and ultimately effective policies and their delivery. </p><p>Participation is also increasingly being mainstreamed into long term planning and decision making at local level, and research exists that there is an emerging trend amongst policymakers (at a national level) that these innovations can bolster the democratic resilience of democratic institutions. </p><p>The evaluation of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which NETS4DEM is following up, also showed high satisfaction with participation as an experience, even at the European level where issues are more abstract. </p><p>Democracy is shielded from external threats when European societies and institutions are strengthened through increased democratic engagement by citizens – something that can be sparked by participatory/democratic innovations. </p><p>For this reason, we believe that innovation and modernisation projects should make up a significant part of the European Democracy Shield package.</p>"},"title":{"en":"Introduction "}}

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