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Thorsten Sterk @thorstensterk.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Democracy is losing trust. Polarisation is rising. Too many people feel they have no real say. Cities can’t afford to respond with token participation. A new @nets4dem.eu & @eurocities.eu guide shows what real democratic innovation can look like. #CitizensAssembly

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Democratic innovation in cities: Resources for local action - Nets4Dem

Across Europe, polarisation is hardening public debate, civic space is...

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European Partnership for Democracy @epd.eu · 04/08/2026

As a @nets4dem.eu member, we've watched it grow from an idea into real infrastructure for democratic innovation across Europe.

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Open Government Partnership @opengovpartnership.org · 31/07/2026

Nets4Dem 2.0 is here 👏 OGP is proud to join the next phase of @nets4dem.eu, bringing our Participation Action Group into the network to support collaboration and learning on public participation. Together, we’ll connect citizens, policymakers, and governments across Europe. More 👉 bit.ly/4bafzj5

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 15/09/2026

🌍 Grenoble: AGORA, the first metropolitan committee of immigrants, gave newcomers a direct channel to shape reception and integration policy 🌡️ Vienna: A Climate Team let residents allocate participatory budgets to climate action

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 15/09/2026

In practice, democratic innovation looks like: 🏙️ Bilbao: A Youth Panel of 24 young people co-designed municipal programmes 🗳️ Ghent: Citizens' assemblies allocated €4.24M across 107 neighbourhood projects

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 15/09/2026

We are sharing our new publication from @eurocities.eu, drawing on the Nets4Dem Democracy Labs. It distills what makes democratic innovation work: active listening, shared decision-making power, tangible impact, accountability and transparency.

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 15/09/2026

What do a climate team in Vienna, a youth panel in Bilbao and a migrants' committee in Grenoble have in common? They're all rewriting what local democracy looks like 🤝 On this #InternationalDemocracyDay 👇🧵

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 24/07/2026

Governments want citizen participation but many still lack the tools, evidence or peers to do it well. That's the gap Nets4Dem 2.0 closes. Read more 👉 bit.ly/4bafzj5

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Nets4Dem enters new phase of European collaboration in democratic innovation - Nets4Dem

Two years after its launch, Nets4Dem – the Network of...

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 24/07/2026

Now, Nets4Dem 2.0 opens new fronts: youth participation at the local level, capacity building beyond English, an AI helpdesk for policymakers, national governments acting together, and research closing critical evidence gaps.

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 24/07/2026

There are 1,150+ EU-funded research projects in the Knowledge Database, 300+ resources online, 200+ policymakers trained across 29 countries and 90+ co-designed initiatives with real local impact.

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 24/07/2026

Nets4Dem is entering its next phase 👏 Over the last three years, Nets4Dem has grown into a connected community of practitioners, researchers and institutions across Europe.

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 29/06/2026

Anu Juvonen, Executive Director of Demo Finland, warned that civic organisations must not be treated only as delivery partners. They also have a vital watchdog role. “We can only do it together,” she said, echoing Daniel's statement.

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 29/06/2026

“What matters is not just the overall output, but that we do this together,” stressed Daniel Fleischer-Ambrus, Team Lead for Democracy at the European Commission’s DG JUST. “We build joint ownership.”

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 29/06/2026

The European Democracy Shield can't be built top-down alone 💯 Information integrity, strong institutions and citizen participation only hold if we build them together. Here's what the speakers at the Nets4Dem conference in Brussels had to say 👇

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People Powered @peoplepowered.org · 16/06/2026

The Democracy Stories Lab is live! An open call for creators to share visual stories about what democracy could look and feel like. 4 winners get $1,000. 5 honorable mentions get $500. Applications open July 14. See the full call + stay updated→ www.peoplepowered.org/news-content...

peoplepowered.org

What does the future of democracy look like? We want your stories — People Powered

We're looking for creators who can tell compelling stories about voice, power, and collective decision-making — with up to $1,000 in awards.

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 09/06/2026

What does democratic innovation look like in a social housing block? In Budapest, it's Safe at Home; with residents in K22, the city's largest social housing building, shaping its future directly with decision-makers. 🏆 Learn more about the winner of our Emerging Innovation Award: bit.ly/3Q4YmQU

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 04/06/2026

In Brussels last month, our Nets4Dem conference brought together cities, EU institutions, civil society, and researchers to explore exactly how this democratic resilience is actually built. Learn more: bit.ly/4uz2bfr @tepsa.bsky.social @eurocities.eu

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From cities to Europe: How local action can build Europe’s democratic resilience - Nets4Dem

Democracy is increasingly under pressure across Europe. Polarisation is hardening...

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 04/06/2026

“Europe is not immune to democratic pressures, but we have active citizens,” says Paul Zoubkov, from @democracyreporting.bsky.social. “We have committed local governments, independent civil society and institutions that continue to invest in democratic renewal.”

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 04/06/2026

Let's talk democracy. Not the headline version, but the one built in neighbourhoods, schools and public squares.

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 26/05/2026

As the European Capital of Democracy 2027, Brussels in all its diversity and complexity, was also the perfect spot for our Nets4Dem conference organised by @eurocities.eu and @tepsa.bsky.social. Learn more about the conference: nets4dem.eu/from-cities-...

nets4dem.eu

From cities to Europe: How local action can build Europe’s democratic resilience - Nets4Dem

Democracy is increasingly under pressure across Europe. Polarisation is hardening...

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 26/05/2026

And that's where we should look for solutions as well, where governance is immediate, and trust can be rebuilt through: ☑️ transparency ☑️ proximity ☑️ participation ☑️ shared responsibility

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 26/05/2026

Where can trust in democracy be rebuilt? 🤔 Closer to home than you'd think. At the Nets4Dem Conference, we heard from Frederik Ceulemans, Alderman, City of Brussels: "Dissatisfaction with democratic representation is growing, not only globally, but also here in our cities."

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Institut za filozofiju i društvenu teoriju @ifdtbeograd.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Democratic innovation doesn’t just happen on its own, it requires: ✔ collaboration ✔ experimentation ✔ persistence @nets4dem.eu is building the infrastructure for that change. Here's how: bit.ly/3NGhovD

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

And that's a wrap! 👏 📸 Let's take a look back at the final conference of the @nets4dem.eu project organised with @eurocities.eu: Local Action, European Impact. Strengthening Democratic Resilience, which took place on Tuesday 5 May in Brussels 💡

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"Enhancing democratic resilience is not an end in itself. Democracy is a system of governance & only truly democratic processes will provide sustainable responses to today's challenges" - Jean-Louis De Brouwer, Director @egmontinstitute.bsky.social, concludes the @nets4dem.eu Final Conference

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

“Systematic change takes time, but, in Turkey, we still need a mindset change and progressive democratic tools need to be implemented" - @erdemvardar.bsky.social, Founding Director, Yuva Association, shares 🇹🇷's perspective on building democratic resilience at the @nets4dem.eu Final Conference.

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Katalin Hegyes from InterGest Hungaria reminds us of the importance of inclusion and representation in democracies⚠️ “Marginalised communities are often excluded from participatory research”, she reminds us at our @nets4dem.eu Final Conference, co-organised with @eurocities.eu.

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"Certain forms of democratic promotion may be ill-suited for democratic resilience. Citizens' assemblies are highly reliant on international funding, but that cannot replace political will," explains Melisa Ross (Global Citizens’ Assembly Network) at the @nets4dem.eu Final Conference.

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"Local communities are laboratories for democracy. The majority of democratic innovations focus on the sub-national level first; national and European levels come second," Tara Tepavac from the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory shares learnings from the @nets4dem.eu project✊

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"Citizens' assemblies increase political knowledge, decrease polarisation, & increase trust. More broadly, they foster a sense of community and social cohesion," Sahib Singh shares some research results at the @nets4dem.eu parallel discussion on democratic innovation.

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

The @nets4dem.eu final conference continues with 2️⃣ parallel discussions: 🔹"Building democratic resilience from the ground up" 🔹"From knowledge to action: what democratic innovation research tells us about building democratic resilience" Follow us here for live updates from both debates 👋

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"States in Africa, Asia and South America have dealt with similar democratic issues for a longer time than we have. There is a lot we can learn from countries in these regions," reminds us Michael Runey of @internationalidea.bsky.social at the @nets4dem.eu Final Conference.

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"What matters is not just the overall output, but that any European initiative to defend democracy is a result of a joint process, involving local and European networks," says Daniel Fleischer-Ambrus (@ec.europa.eu) at the @nets4dem.eu Final Conference, co-organised by TEPSA & @eurocities.eu.

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"Democracy is a joint responsibility. With civil society space shrinking & the erosion of democratic values, it is easy to be negative, but this gathering gives us hope - not as wishful thinking, but as a strategy that democracy can renew itself," Paul Zoubkov opens the @nets4dem.eu conference.

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 05/05/2026

Organised by @tepsa.bsky.social and @eurocities.eu, the conference explores how we can strengthen democratic resilience in practice and the role different actors have to play in this pursuit. Stay tuned for takeaways!

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 05/05/2026

Our high-level 'Local Action, European Impact: Strengthening Democratic Resilience' conference is currently underway in Brussels 🇧🇪

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Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) @tepsa.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

The @nets4dem.eu Final Conference is starting now! We will discuss the importance of local action to strengthen democratic resilience 💪 The event is co-organised by TEPSA and @eurocities.eu 🤝Follow us here for live updates from the discussions 👇

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 28/04/2026

In 2025, we conducted real-world democracy experiments. With the 2nd Nets4Dem Democracy Lab, we brought together local governments, practitioners, and communities to address complex challenges in climate action. Learn more in our Annual Report: bit.ly/3NGhovD @eurocities.eu

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 23/04/2026

At the same time, democratic resilience is not only institutional. It is ultimately built with people. Youth engagement, intergenerational dialogue, and inclusion are the building blocks of meaningful participation 🎯

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 23/04/2026

From an institutional perspective, discussions focused on operationalising the Shield and the role of the Centre for Democratic Resilience, especially in responding to evolving threats like FIMI.

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 23/04/2026

Democratic resilience cannot be built by institutions alone 💯 At our 6th Nets4Dem Democracy Retreat, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and experts came together to explore how the European Democracy Shield can actually work in practice. Learn more: bit.ly/41TEpib

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The European Democracy Shield: From intention to reality | Democracy Retreat #6 - Nets4Dem

The Nets4Dem 6th Democracy Retreat “The European Democracy Shield: from intention...

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 22/04/2026

Ideas aren’t the problem. Execution is. Learn what blocks democratic innovation - and how we’re helping kickstart it: bit.ly/3NGhovD

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Nets4Dem Annual Report 2025: A New Chapter for Democratic Innovation - Nets4Dem

In 2025, democracy in Europe faced both pressure and possibility....

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 21/04/2026

This high-level conference brings together cities, EU institutions, civil society, and researchers to explore how different levels of governance can work better together and how cross-sector collaboration can strengthen democracy in practice 🎯 @eurocities.eu @tepsa.bsky.social

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 21/04/2026

The Nets4Dem Local Action, European Impact: Strengthening Democratic Resilience is insightful for anyone working on democracy, governance, civic engagement or policy 💯 Join us on May 5! Register now 👉 bit.ly/4t0HuJf

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The question of how to strengthen democratic resilience is gaining...

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 21/04/2026

Happening right now in Brussels 🇧🇪 At our Democracy Retreat, EU policymakers and experts are currently tackling a key challenge: turning the Centre for Democratic Resilience from ambition into real impact. Stay tuned for their takeaways! @tepsa.bsky.social @egmontinstitute.bsky.social

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Nets4Dem @nets4dem.eu · 08/04/2026

Join us 5 May in Brussels for the Nets4Dem conference by @eurocities.eu and @tepsa.bsky.social 👏 We're bringing together cities, EU institutions and civil society for insights, collaboration, and even an award for democratic innovation 🏆 Register now 👉 bit.ly/4t0HuJf

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