About ECoD
What is ECOD?
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 to stay informed and select the next Capital of Democracy and the most innovative projects across Europe.
Join us Building the European Capital of Democracy
Vision & Mission
Our Vision
We aim to establish a highly visible space where the citizens of Europe come together, get involved, experience new forms of participatory and inclusive democracy in action and draw inspiration from a comprehensive programme designed to bring democracy forward and build or rebuild trust. Best democratic practice will shine under the spotlight.
Our mission
In cooperation with civil society and citizens, we strengthen democracy, act as a catalyst for democratic development, provide space for democratic innovation and exchange, and showcase groundbreaking work to improve politics. All that in order to experience new forms of participatory and inclusive democracy in action and to draw inspiration – across borders and beyond party lines.
What ECoD focuses on
Community
Community projects contribute to remarkable services, protecting the city’s inhabitants from harm by future-oriented policies and long-term planning.
Participation
Participation projects provide the city’s inhabitants with access to a range of tools to become an active part in decision-making processes.
Technology
Rapidly developing technology will profoundly shape the future of democracy. The opportunities presented by digitisation are infinite and so are the challenges it poses.
Empowerment
Empowerment projects enable the city to establish and maintain strong partnerships with civil society, academia and other relevant stakeholders.
Sustainability
Sustainability projects aim to foster an international discourse, supporting citizens and other cities in ensuring that radical climate transformation is a democratic, and not just a technocratic process.
Voices for democracy
We would like to thank all who have met our European Capital of Democracy initiative with enthusiasm and joined us in our efforts to make it real. They are politicians, political scientists, scholars, representatives of civil society and the business world, artists, engaged youths, and last not least our team. They all share fundamental democratic values and are committed to defending and supporting them.
Dubravka Šuica
“At this time of extraordinary difficulty and certainty, seeing this initiative taking shape and reaffirming the crucial role of our cities as strongholds and laboratories of democracy is reassuring and promising.”
Former Vice-President of the European Commission, current Commissioner | Mediterranean
Marija Pejčinović Burić
“European Capital of Democracy will provide the double benefit of highlighting democratic initiatives and providing the catalyst for more as cities compete to hold the title – and then reap the benefits that come with holding it.”
Former Secretary General of the Council of Europe