Call for Initiatives: World Forum for Democracy 2025 (Fully-Funded to Strasbourg, France)

The World Forum for Democracy is a platform for global dialogue between policymakers and civil society about contemporary democracy challenges and solutions. It highlights innovative ideas and initiatives and puts them through a thorough examination to serve as inspiration for the Council of Europe and for states and non-state actors across the world. A unique event of its kind, the Forum contributes to the evolution of democracy towards more participatory and inclusive institutions and processes.

The World Forum for Democracy calls for expressions of interest from innovative initiatives from all over the world, aiming at finding solutions to revive democracy.

These may be, for example, but not limited to:

• Initiatives addressing the social and economic factors and inequalities that undermine trust in democracy.

• New approaches to empowering the underprivileged or underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups and increasing their political mobilization.

Alternative methods of making policy decisions, including but not limited to sortition, deliberative democracy, citizen panels, liquid democracy, and similar forms of expressions of the citizens’ will.

• Innovative methods for fostering and sustaining meaningful political engagement, including that of young people, women, and minorities.

• AI tools supporting informed debate, deliberation, participation, and decision-making.

• Cultural initiatives affirming democratic values, active citizenship, and open debate.

• Actions fostering artistic freedom and supporting artists against censorship and persecution.

• Initiatives promoting freedom of expression and offering support to independent media and high-quality journalism, as well as initiatives developing innovative methods to counter news bias, ensure transparency of media ownership, and promote media sustainability.

Initiatives that address challenges related to the dissemination of online content, promote human rights-compliant platform design, and enhanceth accountability of platforms for the societal impact of their algorithms.

• Mechanisms for improving resilience to disinformation and manipulation, including tools to detect deepfakes and remove fake accounts from online platforms, as well as initiatives strengthening and promoting fact-checking practices.

• Initiatives supporting civil society organizations to act as democratic watchdogs.

What is the forum about?

Citizens are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy due to social and economic inequality, technological shifts, and the feeling of being ignored. This erodes trust in institutions, weakening their legitimacy and stability.

Declining civic engagement makes democracies vulnerable to populists and autocrats who undermine checks and balances, restrict freedoms and delegitimise public watchdogs in order to consolidate and entrench their power.

Journalism, arts, and culture support democracy by fostering pluralism and public engagement. However, authoritarian regimes often suppress these sectors to weaken critical voices and pluralistic debate.

Digital technologies, particularly AI, enable the manipulation of public debate and foster polarisation. Online platforms’ engagement-driven models not only amplify divisive content and disinformation but also, through their recommendation systems, shape public opinion while outpacing traditional media in a zero-sum contest.

Young people, though active on digital platforms, are a declining demographic in many societies. Enhancing their participation and their skills for critical thinking is crucial for preserving democratic freedoms.

Format

The 13th World Forum for Democracy will debate the issues and generate new ideas for tackling the challenges to living peacefully in complex societies, which we face today. Plenary sessions will be an opportunity to discuss with speakers from all continents, including politicians, public officials and representatives of the private sector, international organisations, and civil society. The sessions “Time for Ideas” will include short presentations by academics, policymakers, and other experts, and the presentation of 3 to 4 innovative initiatives, followed by an extensive discussion with the audience.

Eligibility Criteria for Call for Initiatives: World Forum for Democracy 2025 (Fully-Funded to Strasbourg, France)

1. Any public or private organisation is eligible to apply. One presenter for the selected initiatives will be invited to Strasbourg to take part in the World Forum.

Benefits of Call for Initiatives: World Forum for Democracy 2025 (Fully-Funded to Strasbourg, France)

1. Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the Council of Europe if required.

How to Apply

Submissions from any public or private organization should be made by answering the questionnaire in the appendix and sending it to forum_democracy@coe.int by 17 May 2025.

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.

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Application Link(s)

• Apply for Call for Initiatives: World Forum for Democracy 2025 (Fully-Funded to Strasbourg, France)