Participatory democracy
Thirty-one years after communism, Albanians demand democratic reform
A new report by the Albanian Insitute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) says the electorate wants more democratic progress in the EU candidate country, considered a hybrid, or only partly democratic, regime according to Freedom House.
Should European citizens dictate the bloc’s budget?
MEPs and experts propose to scale up a city-level tool allowing citizens to decide how to spend a part of the municipal resources and let Europeans shape the EU budget expenditure.
Weak participatory tools hinder citizens’ attempts to shape EU policies
The EU’s attempts to encourage citizens’ engagement through participatory tools has made little impact due to the lack of information and clear follow-up, experts say.
Politicians ready to hear citizens’ ideas but roles need to be clearly defined
Giving citizens a say in decision-making beyond elections can help the leadership make better decisions, but sharing power requires a clear division of roles, politicians and experts have said. Citizen participation has increased rapidly in recent years and at all...
Irish mayor: the challenge of integrating youth in public participation networks
Forms of deliberative democracy, such as public participation networks, can support traditional politics - but integrating young people into the process remains a challenge, Gillian Coughlan, mayor of Cork County in Ireland, said in an interview with EURACTIV.
Ensuring participatory democracy without abdicating responsibility
While participatory democracy sounds like an important goal to many, it also raises questions of responsibility, accountability, power and trust, according to a panel on citizen engagement.
Cities’ empowerment initiatives risk being ‘paper exercises’, experts warn
Projects meant to give power to EU city dwellers risk being reduced to a 'box-ticking' exercise unless municipal leaders can convince as many of their constituents as possible to participate.
Digital divide hinders European citizens’ voice in local matters
European cities are using online tools to engage their inhabitants, but a lack of digital skills and access could amplify existing inequalities.
When asked urban europeans call for greener cities
Lorsqu’ils sont interrogés par les dirigeants sur ce qu’ils souhaitent pour leurs villes, les Européens vivant en ville placent la transition environnementale, les infrastructures durables et les espaces publics verts en tête de leurs priorités.
Youth organisations want ‘more than just a seat in the room’ in talks on Europe’s future
European youth should participate in political discussions, specifically on reforming democratic processes and not just on traditional topics like education, European Youth Forum President Silja Markkula told EURACTIV.
Uzbekistan celebrates 30th anniversary of independence hoping for new ‘Renaissance’
Uzbekistan is celebrating on Wednesday (1 September) the 30th anniversary from its independence from the Soviet Union, as a milestone in its nation building, while it is looking forward to the next stage of its development called “Third Renaissance”.
Commission backs ban on cages in farming in ‘historic’ move for animal welfare
The European Commission has committed to working towards a ban on cages for farmed animals in what is being hailed as an historic move for animal welfare after a citizens initiative amassed more than one million signatures from across Europe.
UK will not extend settlement scheme deadline for EU nationals
EU nationals living in the UK have a week until a 30 June deadline to apply for settled status, after officials confirmed that the cut-off date would not be extended.
America may be ‘back’ at G7, but allies’ doubts about US democracy linger
After the tumultuous years for the transatlantic relationship under Donald Trump, Joe Biden's promise that "America is back" as he meets Western allies are a welcome relief. But they're not enough, diplomats and foreign policy experts say.
One in four EU citizens fear discrimination compared to UK nationals
A quarter of EU citizens living in the UK do not feel they are treated equally to UK citizens, according to the first survey of EU citizens by the watchdog set to protect their rights published on Thursday (13 May).
Hungary may see takeovers of last free media, experts warn
Recent reports have confirmed the negative trend for media freedom in Hungary but also pointed to Budapest's negative impact on press freedom in neighbouring countries. On World Press Freedom Day (3 May), EURACTIV talked to two of the main experts on Hungarian media.
Democracy ‘loses currency’ in Europe, warns Freedom House
In its latest report published on Wednesday (28 April) the NGO Freedom House warns of an "antidemocratic turn" throughout Europe, “fuelling a deterioration in human freedom with global implications”.
France already preparing for EU presidency in first half of 2022
With France set to take over the rotating EU Council Presidency in the first half of 2022, European Affairs Minister Clément Beaune last week launched two committees: a monitoring committee and a reflection committee. EURACTIV France reports.
New rights watchdog to survey post-Brexit fears of EU nationals
The citizens' rights watchdog set up to protect the rights of EU nationals living in the UK is conducting its first survey to understand the level of public concern about living in Britain after Brexit.
Commission rejects call for new laws protecting national minorities
The European Commission said on Friday (15 January) that it would not propose new laws in response to a petition demanding a protection package for national minorities that garnered 1.1 million signatures across the EU.
Vietnam jails journalists, EU says it prefers ‘dialogue’ to sanctions
EU was hesitant on Wednesday (6 January) to resort to trade sanctions following the announcement of heavy sentences of journalists in Vietnam, a latest development in the communist country’s crackdown on dissent. Three journalists, members of the Independent Journalists’ Association...
Report: EU governments disproportionately restricted rights during pandemic
More than half of EU countries failed to safeguard people’s right to peaceful assembly during the pandemic, peaceful protests were violently disrupted by police, and tight restrictions on fundamental rights remained in place even after social distancing measures were scaled back for businesses, a new report by civil rights watchdogs found.
Tens of thousands rally in Belarus against post-vote crackdown
Tens of thousands of Belarusians staged a wave of peaceful protests on Thursday (13 August) against President Alexander Lukashenko's disputed re-election and an ensuing brutal police crackdown.
