Vienna looks back on a successful year as European Capital of Democracy. On Tuesday, Mayor Michael Ludwig passed the baton to the mayor of the next European Capital of Democracy, Cascais (Portugal), Nuno Piteira Lopes.
“Democracy thrives on exchange, participation, and mutual respect. In times of increasing polarization, authoritarian tendencies, and digital disinformation, it is therefore more important than ever to defend these values. Democracy is not something to be taken for granted; it is a shared responsibility that we must bring to life every single day. 2025 is an anniversary year for Vienna in several respects. We are celebrating 80 years since the end of the war and the re-establishment of the Republic, 70 years of neutrality, and 30 years since joining the European Union. Vienna, in particular, has increasingly become a place of encounter, peace, cooperation, and dialogue, and is more so today than ever before. I am delighted that, as European Capital of Democracy, we have succeeded in setting new priorities and further expanding opportunities for public participation,” emphasized Mayor Michael Ludwig, who wished the newly elected Mayor of Cascais a successful year as European Capital of Democracy 2026.
“Cascais is honored to receive the symbolic award of the title of European Capital of Democracy from the City of Vienna, and we are firmly committed not only to continuing the remarkable work already being done here, but also to building upon it for the benefit of our citizens and the entire international community. Our goal is to strengthen a participatory democracy that restores trust, enhances quality of life, and demonstrates how local government can truly serve its residents. We warmly invite everyone to visit Cascais in 2026 and experience this spirit of democratic innovation firsthand,” declared Mayor Nuno Piteira Lopes.
Vienna prevailed against seven other applicant cities in a two-stage process in 2023 and was chosen by a panel of experts and 4,000 Europeans as the European Capital of Democracy for 2024/25 – the second city to hold this title after Barcelona in 2023/24.
Highlights of Vienna’s Year of Democracy
As the title holder, the City of Vienna hosted the Year of Democracy starting in November 2024. The city and numerous partner organizations filled last year’s event calendar with 600 events, and four international conferences attracted guests from across Europe to the capital. At the Innovation in Politics Awards in Vienna City Hall, 80 flagship projects from 34 countries were presented, and 14 computer games against disinformation were developed as part of the Truth, Lies and Democracy Game Jam. Another highlight was Vienna’s Democracy Day, during which more than 40 organizations commemorated the International Day of Democracy on September 15 with events and democracy-themed stations in 15 Viennese districts.
“As the European Capital of Democracy, it was important for us to counter the loss of trust in politics in many European countries with a strong message for more democracy, cohesion, and confidence,” emphasized City Councillor for Democracy, Jürgen Czernohorszky. “The great interest shown by our European partner cities in our international events and the strong participation of the Viennese population made Vienna’s Year of Democracy a resounding success.”
In addition to the numerous events, Vienna’s Year of Democracy also focused on setting new and lasting priorities. To strengthen co-determination and participation in Vienna in the long term, the City of Vienna established a new institution, the Office for Participation. Its mission is to dismantle barriers to participation and further open the administration to citizen involvement. Also lasting is the first Viennese Democracy Strategy, developed with the participation of 500 Viennese citizens and adopted by the Vienna City Council in October. With this, the City of Vienna is taking on a pioneering role internationally.
Funding for Democracy Projects
“The program of Vienna’s Year of Democracy impressively demonstrates how strong democracy becomes when people actively engage with it. At the same time, the diversity of the projects underscores the potential that arises when participation is embraced. My thanks go to everyone who contributed, as their efforts sustainably strengthen our liberal democracy,” emphasizes Thomas Weber, NEOS Vienna’s spokesperson for democracy.
Under the motto “Democracy Needs Participation,” a new funding program for democracy projects was launched at the beginning of the year. A total of €300,000 was available. Two calls for proposals resulted in over 270 submissions, from which a jury of experts selected 34 projects. The funded projects, implemented by associations, NGOs, and individuals, ranged from a Beserlpark Theater and a participatory supermarket to a citizens’ assembly on the topic of media and democracy. Funding opportunities for democracy projects will also be available next year.
“Our goal with the Office for Participation is to make democratic opportunities accessible and relevant to the everyday lives of all Viennese residents. The funded projects and many of the submissions have clearly demonstrated the immense potential of our city when spaces for participation are created. We want to carry this momentum forward in the long term and further develop our own programs,” emphasizes Wencke Hertzsch, Head of the Office for Participation.
Anthology “Voices of Our City” with Renowned Authors
To conclude Vienna’s Year of Democracy, the anthology “Voices of Our City: Vienna as European Capital of Democracy 2024/25” has been published. The book features contributions from renowned authors in academia and civil society, such as Lea Ypi, Barbara Preinsack, Stefanie Jaksch, and Hosea Ratschiller, as well as from citizens who, through their involvement in associations and organizations, are shaping the city’s future every day. The book’s poster cover was designed by the award-winning Viennese writer and illustrator Stefanie Sargnagel. The anthology is available on the website https://mitwirkung.wien.gv.at/europaeische-demokratie-hauptstadt.
Selection for European Capital of Democracy 2027 is underway
“Vienna and Barcelona became the stage for a Europe-wide discourse demonstrating that we best defend democracy by expanding public participation. Cascais aims to follow these successful examples in 2026 and continue the success story of this still-young initiative,” says Helfried Carl, founder of European Capital of Democracy. The selection process for the European Capital of Democracy 2027 is currently underway.
The Vienna Year of Democracy was coordinated and implemented by the Office for Participation (within the Energy Planning Department) – with support from UIV Urban Innovation Vienna, the City of Vienna’s climate and innovation agency.
For more information about Vienna’s Democracy Year, please visit: https://demokratiehauptstadt.wien.gv.at/