Nets4Dem

Arrived at #IID2025 and preparing myself for two days of inspiration. Ignatius But and I will be bringing our experience from Democratic Society on supporting cities and government institutions to innovate their own structures to respond to the new demands of citizens for responsive, open services that make a difference to their lives. It might sometimes feel, in the current political winds, that public service reform is the wrong priority - but, on the contrary, it's the only way we're going to be able to stand up to the wind.

This week we introduced you to the #EuropeanCouncil by looking at its history ⏳ Learn more about its curent functioning with our series #EUDemocracyExplained, available in podcast form on Spotify🎙️ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eppcVxCT

#Research 💡 📖 As the EU enacted new laws to regulate the digital ecosystem such as the DSA, DMA, and the AI Act, Big Tech is already finding ways to evade compliance. While businesses naturally seek to maximise profits, this should not come at the expense of democracy. What hurdles must the EU clear to ensure its legislation is effective? Sofia Calabrese and Roy Virah-Sawmy wrote for the European Democracy Hub. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eWJn7CCy

What will democracy look like in the future? 🤔 Depends on what we do today. Over the past year, Nets4Dem has been working with local governments, researchers, and civil society leaders to strengthen democratic resilience and embed participation into policymaking. Our key initiatives and impact are now summarised in the first ever Nets4Dem Annual Report - explore the full content here: https://bit.ly/3PWpUnG Here’s what we learned along the way: 🤝🏽 Local governments are leading the charge; many of the most impactful innovations are happening at the city level, where decision-making is closer to citizens. 🗂️ Barriers to participation still persist - low engagement, digital divides, and institutional resistance can prevent meaningful change. 🔝 We need to move beyond pilots - participatory processes must be designed to scale and integrate into governance structures for long-term impact. 🖇️ Collaboration is the key - by bringing together policymakers, researchers, and advocates, we are helping create a stronger foundation. What is your takeaway from the report? Let us know!

Day 2️⃣ of the Mobility Forum in Riga brought together politicians across Europe in a high-level meeting to take local perspectives, insights and recommendations to influence future EU transport policies. 🟢 Cities are innovative, leveraging different EU funding sources like Resilience & Recovery Facility, EIB loans, Cohesion Fund to finance transport projects according to their needs and capacity.  🟢 Cities are calling for the renewal of key funding instruments under the next EU budget, such as the CEF Transport Programme, as well as more local autonomy and direct access to EU funding. 🟢 Substantial co-funding and reporting requirements create additional burdens for cities. Direct access is limited, and some cities struggle with administrative capacity to even apply for funding. 📣 Cities want a say in the next EU budget! Given budget limitations and the national plan approach, cities urge the European Commission to involve them in designing and implementing the upcoming 2027 national plans.

Five years, 16 Horizon projects, and one goal — making research matter. In 2019, we set out to strengthen Demos Helsinki’s research capabilities with a clear hypothesis: academic research can drive real societal change. Five years later, we’ve been awarded 16 Horizon Europe projects, 14 of which are still active. Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve been working on: ➡️ 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 & 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Ensuring climate and social transitions are fair and inclusive. ➡️ 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Supporting cities and regions in achieving net-zero and adapting to climate change. ➡️ 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 & 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲: Exploring AI, robotics, and blockchain to align tech with democratic values. ➡️ 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬: Rethinking policy frameworks to promote well-being and sustainability. ➡️ 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲: Strengthening democratic innovation and more inclusive social contracts. Looking ahead, we're still here — ready to explore new questions, build new alliances, and push the boundaries of what research can achieve. Now is the time to shape the future of European research together. We’re especially keen to hear if you are preparing proposals for upcoming Horizon Europe deadlines starting from September 2025 onwards. 🔎 Here’s a look at the 14 Horizon projects we’re on to right now: https://lnkd.in/d6xe_Nkm

📅 Save the date 📅 Join us for our Istanbul Innovation Days 2025 in partnership with the Government of Türkiye, Demos Helsinki and TIAL (The Institutional Architecture Lab) to explore how institutions can adapt to current crises and shape future pathways. On 25–26 March, leaders, thinkers, policymakers and activists will gather in Istanbul to: ➡️ Explore emerging practices shaping institutional innovation ➡️ Learn from pioneers transforming institutions, with insights from the Global South ➡️ Contribute to a global network driving institutional renewal Learn more and join us for #IID2025: https://lnkd.in/gjHzfq5P 

Day 1️⃣ of the Eurocities Mobility Forum has concluded, but the discussions are just beginning! “Collaborating Beyond Boundaries: Sustainable Mobility for All” is the guiding theme of this year’s conversation. 🚲🚌🚗🌍 Participants from 45 cities across 21 countries gather in Riga to explore how European cities are tackling pressing mobility challenges by…   🫱🏻🫲🏼 fostering collaboration,  💭 rethinking infrastructure,  🌱 and prioritising equity and sustainability. #BeyondBoundaries #EurocitiesMobility Ayuntamiento de Madrid Stockholms stad

The US funding freeze has triggered a global crisis in human rights and democracy. According to a new survey by the EU System for an Enabling Environment project, (#EUSEE), the US decision to reduce foreign aid funding has become an opportunity to further limit civic space. CSOs are increasingly facing public attacks fuelled by misinformation and negative narratives, along with restrictive regulatory frameworks and heightened scrutiny. More info: https://anticorru.pt/3ak

#DemocracyForAll - International IDEA recognises that across the world, men more often dominate in decision making and leadership processes and positions at all levels in comparison to women. During the first week of the #CSW69 we hosted a side event, co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN, on #Beijing30 and #SDG5 target 5.5, which is five years away in 2030. It featured some of International IDEA Member States and Partner countries efforts on achieving the Beijing Platform of Action strategic objective on women in power and decision-making and highlighted situational experiences from #Malawi, #Sweden, #SouthAfrica, #Nigeria and #Australia, in terms of milestones, good practices, challenges and sustainability of efforts. During her opening remarks, International IDEA's Head of North America and Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Annika Silva-Leander confronted the pressing question - are we where we need to be with just five years to go to 2030? Stephanie Copus Campbell AM GAICD, Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion stressed that men and boys are part of the solution and that we need to change the harmful social norm “he takes charge, she takes care”. Fredrika Ornbrant, Deputy Head of Department for UN Policy, Conflict and Migration at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs called on women ‘to be where the power is, to be in all sectors, to be everywhere’. Hon. Jean Mounawauza Sendeza, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare of Malawi, highlighted the many challenges faced by women in the country, such as a hostile environment for women to participate in politics and the lack of womens participation in governance processes. Olaoluwa Olawumi, Programme Manager for Democracy, Rule of Law and Gender Democratic Governance at the Delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS offered a fresh perspective and talked about the strength and resilience of the Nigerian women, who speak with one voice. During her closing remarks, Vesna Roch, Senior Policy Advisor on Gender Equality at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation re-stated Switzerland’s commitment to strengthening the implementation of International IDEA’s mandate, fostering inclusive dialogues. Stay tuned and join us in our upcoming #CSW69 side events ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ddEqJXU8