City of Brussels designated as European Capital of Democracy 2027
About the Initiative
The European Capital of Democracy Initiative has built a strong network of Cities fostering participation. Together with citizens, politicians, and institutions we are improving our democracies.
After a most successful start of the first Programme Year in Barcelona 2023/24, the City of Vienna implemented its Programme Year as European Capital of Democracy 2024/25. As the current European Capital of Democracy, the City of Cascais launched its programme year on March 5, 2026 and hosted our first flagship event, the ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference in May 2026. We are happy to share that the City of Brussels will be taking over from Cascais in 2027, having been selected as European Capital of Democracy 2027 by the ECoD Citizens Jury – a community of 5,500 active citizens from all Council of Europe Member States and Kosovo.
If your city is interested in joining the European Capital of Democracy initiative, arrange a call with Adela King, the City Applications Manager, or proceed to How can cities join European Capital of Democracy?
If you live in a Council of Europe member state or Kosovo, become a Citizen Juror tto stay informed and select the next Capital of Democracy and the most innovative projects across Europe.
Join us Building the European Capital of Democracy
Cities
Apply as European Capital of Democracy & join the City Network.
Citizens
Your opportunity to play a key role in innovating democratic practice.
Partners
Become a part of the European Capital of Democracy initiative.
Supporters
Contribute financially to build bridges for democratic innovation.
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City of Brussels designated as European Capital of Democracy 2027
Our Funding Partners
ECoD NPO is most thankful to the City of Vienna, Council of Europe, the European Commission (CERV Network of Towns, Horizon Europe), the European Parliament, the Innovation in Politics Institute, and the Porticus Foundation for supporting our work.
Furthermore, we appreciate our Democracy Year event partners for event contributions by the City of Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya, GIZ / U-LEAD with Europe, Porticus Foundation, Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF, formerly Western NIS Enterprise Fund.
Our Supporting Partners
