Time to listen. Time to act.
A European initiative for democratic renewal
Democracy27 brings together citizens, civil society and decision-makers to establish democratic renewal as a recognised political priority within the European Union.
Latest News
Latest updates and insights from Democracy27.
Event: Academic Symposium on Society & Technology – 25 September
Europe’s real democratic crisis: Mind the gap – By Věra Jourová
Democracy27 Launches European Initiative to Upgrade Democracy Ahead of 2027
Fostered by civil society. Connected to decision-making. Promoting change.
Joining Forces
In response to the growing dissatisfaction in democratic systems, a broad network of civil society organisations has come together with a cross-sectoral Task Force of leading figures to promote bold reforms to democratic practices.
A shared conviction
Democracy should not only be defended against external threats. It should be continuously and proactively improved from within, through institutional innovation, meaningful citizen participation and reforms that strengthen legitimacy, accountability, and public trust.
A common objective
To put democratic reform on the political agenda and build an operating system for democracy that is more responsive, inclusive, and effective.
“Democracy27 starts from an observation: people value democracy, yet they feel it is failing them. Our commitment is to listen, understand the roots of this disconnect and turn those insights into a roadmap for action.”
Věra Jourová
Chair of the Democracy27 Task Force
Europeans value democracy, but they are losing trust in how it works in practice.
Democracy27 seeks to understand this disconnect and to identify practical, actionable recommendations for decision-makers by listening to a broad range of citizens and societal actors across Europe.
Strong support
%
of EU citizens say it is important for them that all EU Member States respect the core values of the EU, including fundamental rights, the rule of law, and democracy
Source: Eurobarometer 2024
Deep dissatisfaction
%
of EU citizens are unsatisfied with the way democracy works in their country
Source: Eurobarometer 2026
The Task Force
18 prominent European leaders from diverse backgrounds are joining forces with civil society to make democratic renewal a political priority.
Věra Jourová
Chair of the Democracy27 Task Force
Former European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency
Najat Vallaud-Belkacem
Vice-Chair of the Democracy27 Task Force
Former French Minister of Education and Women’s Rights
Leo Varadkar
Vice-Chair of the Democracy27 Task Force
Former Taoiseach of Ireland
Madeleine De Cock Buning
Professor of Digital Politics, Economy and Society at the European University Institute
Democracy Expert
Oliver Röpke
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Director at the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities & former President of the European Economic and Social Committee
Emily O'Reilly
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Former European Ombudsman and Open Government Partnership Ambassador
Arancha González Laya
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po & Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain
Michał Boni
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Former Polish Minister of Digitisation & Member of the European Parliament
Admiral (ret.) Rob Bauer
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Former Chair of the NATO Military Committee & Former Chief of Defence of the Netherlands
Luca Piwodda
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Mayor of Gartz, Germany
Mabel van Oranje
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Founder and board chair emeritus of Girls Not Brides and Vow for Girls & Advisor to The Elders
Thomas Leysen
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Entrepreneur and Chairman of Umicore, Mediahuis and Pluralis
Ivan Krastev
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia
David Van Reybrouck
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Philosopher Laureate of the Low Countries, Author of Against Elections & Catalyst of the Democracy27 inititiative
Priscillia Ludosky
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Co-initiator of the Gilets Jaunes movement
Daniel Sachs
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Founder and CEO of P Capital Partners and Daniel Sachs Foundation &Vice Chair of the Open Society Foundations
Nika Kovač
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Founding Director of the Institute of 8th of March, Coordinator of the My Voice, My Choice movement and Executive Director of the Democracy Hub
Uljan Sharka
Member of the Democracy27 Task Force
Founder and CEO of Domyn
The Consortium
The Democracy27 Consortium brings together national and European organisations that have engaged more than 5 million citizens across Europe through participatory processes, civic initiatives, and democratic innovation.
“The growing distrust of citizens towards institutions is a signal that should not be ignored, and one that goes well beyond partisan critique, touching administrative institutions, justice, and the press.”
Najat Vallaud-Belkacem
Vice-Chair of the Democracy27 Task Force
It’s time
Time to Listen
From May 2026
- Six country visits
- Poland: 31 Aug. – 2 Sept.
- Estonia: 5 – 7 Oct.
- Germany: 7 – 9 Oct.
- Hungary: 9 – 11 Nov.
- Spain: 30 Nov. – 1 Dec.
- France: 7 – 9 Dec.
- Focus groups discussions with policymakers, media, business & opinions leaders
- Citizen consultations
- Research & data collection covering all 27 EU countries
Flagship report
Early 2027
- A shared diagnosis of why confidence is weakening.
- Actionable recommendations for policymakers.
Time to Act
2027
Task force, civil society and decision-makers carry the recommendations forward to catalyze democratic renewal.
“We need to make sure that we don’t take our democracy for granted. It needs to be updated, renewed and replenished for the 21st Century.”
Leo Varadkar
Vice chair of the Democracy27 Task Force
