Věra Jourová will lead a new high-level task force on Europe’s democratic renewal
Former Vice-President of the European Commission Věra Jourová will chair a new high-level task force dedicated to addressing the growing challenges facing democracy across Europe. The initiative will bring together leaders from politics, business, trade unions, civil society, technology, academia, defence, and youth organisations from across the continent.
The task force aims to respond to what many observers describe as a crisis of representative democracy in Europe. Over the next nine months, members will consult experts, political leaders, civil society organisations and citizens through a series of visits across different European countries.
The goal is to produce a clear diagnosis of the challenges affecting democratic systems, assess where current democratic trends are heading, and develop actionable recommendations for governments and institutions seeking to strengthen liberal democracy.
Responding to democratic backsliding
The initiative was catalysed by G1000, the Belgian organisation working on democratic innovation and citizen participation.
Ben Eersels, Executive Director of G1000, emphasised the urgency of the initiative:
“Věra Jourová came to embody the struggle for democracy in Europe during her mandate. At a time when democracy is backsliding not only around the world, but also in Europe, we need to go on the offensive.”
By fostering dialogue across countries and sectors, the task force aims to help shape a renewed vision for European democracy, one that is capable of responding to contemporary challenges and strengthening democratic resilience across the continent.
Upgrading democracy for the 21st century
According to Jourová, Europe risks overlooking democratic resilience at a moment when other policy priorities dominate the agenda.
“Even as Europe is trying to boost its military defences and its economic competitiveness, it runs the risk of neglecting its internal democratic vulnerabilities. But we cannot just defend the status quo inherited from the 19th century: we have to upgrade Europe’s democracy for the 21st century.”
Věra Jourová
Former Vice-President, European Commission
Chair of the Taskforce
To address these challenges, Jourová has assembled a diverse group of personalities from across Europe and across sectors.
By bringing together expertise from different fields, the task force aims to develop forward-looking proposals for strengthening democratic institutions and citizen participation.
A pan-European civil society initiative
The initiative is carried by a broad pan-European consortium of civil society organisations. Partners include G1000, Mehr Demokratie (Germany), Démocratie citoyenne (France), Bureau Burgerberaad (Netherlands), DemNet (Hungary), Shipyard Foundation (Poland), the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), Democracy International, the European Network of Political Foundations, the Association for the European Citizens’ Initiative, Ashoka, Re-Imagine Europa and the Open Government Partnership.
Additional organisations may join the initiative as the task force defines its thematic focus and country case studies.