Participatory democracy
The Scottish take on participatory budgeting
In 2017, Scottish councils agreed to spend 1% of their budgets through participatory budgeting (PB). But how does the process work in Scotland and what are the obstacles authorities and communities face when they carry it out? As part of...
The Dutch and participatory budgeting: citizens have their say
Out of every region in the word, cities in Europe engage in the largest share of participatory budgeting, a process that allows citizens to weigh in on municipal budget expenditure and propose initiatives for their cities or neighborhoods. City leaders...
Participatory budgeting explained
Participatory budgeting, the shared decision between local government and citizens on how to spend a part of the municipal budget, is becoming increasingly popular across the bloc.
Boosting citizen engagement might not be enough to save democracy
To fight democratic backsliding and strengthen local democracy, cities have developed creative tools to boost citizen engagement, such as participatory budgeting and regional consultations. These forms of public participation are meant to bring democracy closer to citizens, giving them a...
DEMOTEC – Democratising Territorial Cohesion: Experimenting with deliberative citizen engagement and participatory budgeting in European regional and urban policies
DEMOTEC investigate the role of participatory budgeting in fostering greater and more informed citizen participation in policy-making.
Cosmocracy: European political parties at the forefront of global governance evolution?
The increasing failure of multilateralism to provide global solutions to global problems is alarming. Could the European political parties play a role in strengthening international rule-making? European political families have been the drivers of European integration for the past 60...Promoted content
Prospects for Europe – How to enhance European Democracy
On 11 April 2018, some 170 guests from politics, business and civil society attended the 9th Brussels Wednesday Social, hosted by METRO AG in cooperation with European Movement International (EMI) and EuroCommerce.
Commission: Independent Catalonia ‘would find itself outside of EU’
The Commission called today Catalonia's independence referendum "illegal", while the Catalan government said Sunday's vote had given it the right to declare independence from Spain.
Mike Pence arrives in Brussels, greeted by protestors
“Hands too small, can’t build a wall,” demonstrators chanted during US Vice-President Mike Pence’s meeting with EU leaders.
Gates urges Trump not to defund foreign aid
Bill Gates spoke at the European Commission on Thursday (16 February) urging world leaders, including Donald Trump, not to defund foreign aid spending.
Farage disparages Muslim immigration, says Europeans agree
Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage expressed anger at the European Union in a heated debate this morning (14 February). Farage stated that leaders are ignoring the true wishes of Europeans.
European Economic Forecast: Sunny with a chance of uncertainty
EU economies are expected to grow throughout 2018. The upturn is the first time in almost a decade that member states have collectively experienced positive growth.
Europe’s youth and the European Parliament
The economic burden of an ageing population will be carried by today's young Europeans. But are they equipped for the future? What can the European Parliament do to help?
Debate: Youth policy in the European Union
At a time of crisis across Europe, how can young people keep their faith in the European project?
Commission presents new measures to manage migration
Today (25 January), EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini presented a number of additional measures to strengthen refugee interception work along the Central Mediterranean migration route, including with Libya.
Antonio Tajani: European Parliament’s new president
European People’s Party (EPP) candidate Antonio Tajani has been elected as the European Parliament's new president. Tajani won the election by a slim 69 vote margin. In his acceptance speech, he dedicated his win to citizens in need.
European Parliament presidential candidates outline their hopes for change
Each candidate gave a short speech before the European Parliament presidential election began. They summarised their plans, emphasising the importance of change and transparency. The election continues into a third round, with a result due this evening (17 January).
Kathleen Van Brempt, rebel with a cause
In the first episode of a new video series called ‘Over a Beer’, EURACTIV's Brian Maguire chats with Kathleen Van Brempt, a Belgian socialist MEP who is chairperson of the 'Dieselgate' inquiry committee in the European parliament.
Letta: EU leaders must leave ‘business as usual’ at home before going to Bratislava
In Bratislava this week, EU heads of state and government should show clear resolve that they are departing from business as usual, and President of the Commission Jean Claude Juncker should raise the bar, said Enrico Letta in a Citizens’...
Brexit battlers Farage and Verhofstadt butt heads at State of the Union speech
The European Parliament's Brexit point man Guy Verhofstadt today (14 September) clashed with UKIP leader Nigel Farage at the debate after Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's State of the Union speech.
Video: Juncker’s full 2016 ‘State of the Union’ address
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker gave his annual "State of the European Union" address in the European Parliament at 9.00am in Strasbourg this morning (14 Wednesday). Watch the full video here.
Turkish opposition: ‘The EU’s weak reaction to the failed coup disappointed all Turks’
The failed coup attempt seems to have ended political polarisation in Turkey. Europe’s weak reaction was a big disappointment for all Turks, says Kader Sevinç, the EU representative of the country's largest opposition party, the secularist Republican Party of Turkey (CHP).
Is the European Commission too white?
The controversy over France's burkini ban - struck down by an administrative court today (26 August) - has thrown the spotlight on issues of diversity, integration and multiculturalism.
