Application Deadline: 31 May 2026 23:59 CET
Applications are now open for the 2026 World Forum for Democracy. The World Forum for Democracy is a platform where democratic actors from across the globe come together to discuss democracy challenges and shape solutions to them. The Forum focuses on innovative ideas and initiatives: concrete practices developed by governments, civil society, researchers and citizens are presented and critically discussed in order to explore their broader implications for democratic systems. A unique event, the Forum connects ideas, experiences and policy debates – helping democratic actors anticipate challenges and test new approaches.
The 14th World Forum for Democracy will generate new ideas on democratic foresight to tackle the threats faced by today’s societies.
Benefits
- One presenter for the selected initiatives will be invited to Strasbourg to take part in the World Forum. Travel and accommodation expenses may be covered by the Council of Europe if required.
Program Details
- The first day of the Forum will focus on understanding the current context, identifying major challenges for democracies, and exploring possible future scenarios.
- On the second day, the “democracy labs” will present concrete examples of how democratic actors are already responding to these challenges.
- These sessions will also explore how such initiatives could perform under different future scenarios, and how they might adapt to evolving risks and opportunities. The democracy labs will include short presentations by academics, policymakers and other experts, and the presentation of 2 to 3 innovative initiatives, followed by a discussion with the audience.
The World Forum for Democracy calls for expressions of interest from innovative initiatives from all
over the world that develop democratic responses to the challenges of today and anticipate those of
the future. These may be for example, but not limited to:
- Initiatives that explore what different futures, challenges, and responses societies encounter
in order to built resilience. - Actions that analyse which current developments will have the biggest impact in the next decades, and which limits and opportunities will that future scenarios hold.
- Actions seeking to empower citizens through a revitalised democratic culture and critical thinking.
- Projects that explore how deliberative democracy, citizen participation, and digital citizenship can improve democratic processes.
- Actions focusing on safeguarding democracy and social justice.
- Tools to stress test regulation of technologies in democratic settings.
- Initiatives addressing the social and economic factors and inequalities that undermine trust in
democracy. - Initiatives that analyse and seek to improve electoral and democratic integrity.
- Actions that combat hate speech and promote human rights offline and online.
- Innovative methods for fostering and sustaining meaningful political engagement, including that of young people, women and minorities.
- Initiatives focusing on the development, deployment and use of AI tools supporting informed debate, deliberation, participation and decision-making.
- Initiatives affirming democratic values, active citizenship and open debate.
- Initiatives promoting freedom of expression and offering support to independent media and high-quality journalism.
- Mechanisms for improving resilience to disinformation and manipulation.
- Initiatives supporting civil society organisations to act as democratic watchdogs.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the World Forum for Democracy
