Brief Intro
The European Capital of Democracy is a Europe-wide initiative to innovate and strengthen democracy. From 2023, each year one city will be selected by a jury of experts and a jury of 10,000 European citizens – and granted this honorary title. Together with its citizens, the European Capital of Democracy curates, organises and hosts a variety of activities that strengthen democracy. Visitors from all over Europe – politicians, experts, civil society actors, artists, citizens and media representatives – are invited to take part in the initiative and make the city a stage for European democracy.
Throughout the Programme Year, EURACTIV will act as strategic media partner of the European Capital of Democracy.
Media relations
Amadea Horvath
Creative Lead and Media Relations,
ECoD gemeinnützige GmbH
ah@capitalofdemocracy.eu
+43 660 10 27 903
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ECoD survey & IDEA democracy report: Participation as 4th branch of Government
ECoD NPO Stefan Sindelar presented the results of this year’s Citizens’ Jury survey “Democracy = Peace (?) at the Council of Europe’s World Forum for Democracy’s panel about “The 4th Branch of Government”. In sync with results of the recently published “Global State of Democracy 2023” survey by International IDEA, a resilient civic space and…
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Five Cities shortlisted for European Capital of Democracy 2024/25
Press Release, Vienna, 7 November 2023 Five Cities shortlisted for European Capital of Democracy 2024/25 Bratislava, Gdansk, Izmir, Leipzig and Vienna have been selected by the ECoD Experts’ Jury after a thorough evaluation process to compete for the title of European Capital of Democracy 2024/25. It will be up to the Citizens’ Jury to take…
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Vitali Klitschko signs Partnership with European Capital of Democracy
A delegation of the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD) marked a momentous occasion during its two-day visit to Kyiv. Mayor Vitali Klitschko signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a special partnership regarding Kyiv´s role within the ECoD Initiative and its city network.
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Eight Cities Compete for the Title of European Capital of Democracy 2024/25
Press Release, 19 July 2023, Vienna Download English Version | German Version | ECoD Map Call for European Capital of Democracy 2024/25: Eight Cities Compete for the Title, Special Partnership with Kyiv Following Barcelona as the first-ever European Capital of Democracy, democracy takes center stage again as eight bold cities from across Europe enter the…
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Sneak a peek at Barcelona’s programme highlights
End of March, a vibrant presentation event at EL BORN CENTRE DE CULTURA I MEMÒRIA brought together key stakeholders to introduce the European Capital of Democracy’s Programme Year, inviting the civil society and business community to partner-up with us to make Barcelona a beacon of democracy. At the event, attendees were given an in-depth look…
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European Capital of Democracy NPO appoints Alexander Heichlinger as local representative in Barcelona
Local government expert Alexander Heichlinger will take on the role as point of contact and envoy for the European Capital of Democracy initiative (ECoD) in the title-holding City of Barcelona.
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Introducing the First European Capital of Democracy
Barcelona designated as the first European Capital of Democracy Following a vote by several thousand members of a pan-European citizen jury, Barcelona will host a year of events dedicated to strengthening European democracy. Barcelona has been awarded the title of European Capital of Democracy 2023/24. The result was announced at a press conference in Barcelona…
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Tackling Social and Climate Challenges with Brussels’ Solutions
The latest ECN meeting took place in Brussels, as members of the network gathered together to discuss, learn, and exchange with a focus on “tackling social and climate challenges with Brussels’ solutions”. This time, we were joined by representatives from Antwerp, Barcelona, Bologna, Bratislava, Cascais, Gdańsk, Kyiv, Rzeszów, Tirana, Valongo, and Vienna. The meeting began…
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Wien ist Europäische Demokratiehauptstadt 2024/25
Eine Jury von über 4.000 Europäer*innen hat Wien zur zweiten Europäischen Demokratiehauptstadt gewählt. Ab Oktober 2024 wird Wien ein Jahr lang Schauplatz eines vielseitigen Programms an Veranstaltungen, Projekten und Initiativen zur Stärkung unserer Demokratien sein. “Als Europäische Demokratiehauptstadt wird Wien vorzeigen, wie der soziale Zusammenhalt durch die Teilhabe der Bürger*innen weiter gestärkt werden kann.” Michael…
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Vienna is European Capital of Democracy 2024/25
Vienna takes over the title from Barcelona in autumn and becomes the venue for a multifaceted year of democracy Press Release, 20.02.2024 I German Version I Image Last autumn, Vienna was chosen by European citizens and experts as the “European Capital of Democracy 2024/25”. The Austrian capital will hold the title for one year from…
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Vienna will be the second European Capital of Democracy
German Landingpage A Citizen Jury of several thousand Europeans selected Vienna to be the second European Capital of Democracy. The Austrian metropole will be the central stage for strengthening and innovating democracy for one year. “As European Capital of Democracy, Vienna will demonstrate how social cohesion can be further strengthened through the participation of citizens.”…
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Barcelona is the first-ever European Capital of Democracy
A pan-European Citizen Jury selected Barcelona to be the first ever European Capital of Democracy. From October 2023 to October 2024, it is the European stage for strengthening and innovating democracy. An inclusive democratic experience The Programme Year features a variety of projects and initiatives to celebrate democracy, showcase best practices and to address the…
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Delivering Democracy: The view less taken – How the energy transition and democracy need one another.
by Namita Kambli (E3G) & Karin Thalberg (Jacques Delors Institute) 2023 saw the energy transition in Europe make significant strides. However, certain media narratives continue to imply that there is a lack of public buy-in for this shift to clean energy. A growing culture of energy citizenship reveals that a different story of shared ownership…
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Vienna: European Capital of Democracy 2024/25
Vienna elected as European Capital of Democracy 2024/25Press Release, 12 December 2023, Vienna I German Version I Image In a two-stage voting process, the city of Vienna was elected by European experts and citizens as the “European Capital of Democracy 2024/25” (ECoD). The title is a recognition of outstanding democratic efforts and sets the framework…
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Reflecting on the Challenges and Solutions for Western Democracies
From November 13th to the 14th, a diverse group of experts from Germany, Spain, Austria, and Colombia engaged in a thought-provoking debate. The focus was on two fundamental questions that pose a threat to our Western democracies: Why is the established principle of representation increasingly being questioned? And how does the political system fare in…
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Saving Civics in the Digital Age: Civic Tech for Unlocking Deeper Participation & Connection
On November 22nd, an event was held in Barcelona to help honor the city’s selection as the 2023 European Capital of Democracy. Organized by Tectonica, Osoigo, and ACTE, this event brought together experts and enthusiasts in the field of civic technology and participatory democracy. Mariana Spada, the co-founder of Tectonica, set the stage with her…
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A Recap of the 5th International Youth Conference on Democracy
by Beth Dennis On the 20th of November, the International Youth Think Tank gathered in Barcelona for their 5th International Youth Conference, themed “A Path for Democracy: From engagement to impact.” With 23 participants from 12 different countries, the conference aimed to empower communities, influence policymakers, and foster democratic governance, emphasizing the need for meaningful…
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ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference picks up on the EU Commission’s Enlargement Package for Ukraine
Press Release, 13 November 2023, Brussels ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference picks up on the EU Commission’s Enlargement Package for Ukraine The ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference, hosted at the European Committee of the Regions, provided a unique platform for 150 mayors, local representatives, and experts for Ukraine and the EU to engage in a focused dialogue…
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