Against a backdrop of shrinking civic space, big tech’s fierce resistance to accountability, and an independent media which is reeling from multiple pressures, donors and changemakers from across Europe will convene at the first Civitates’ forum, Exploring the Future of European Democracy.
This milestone event occurs half way through the implementation of Civitates’ current strategy (2023-2028). It will offer grantees and funders the chance to connect, reflect, and innovate strategies for tackling the serious challenges we face.
“The Forum seeks to deepen collaboration among members of our community and to bolster civil society, media, technology, and philanthropic actors dedicated to defending civic space and renewing democratic life. Our meeting could not come at a more important moment as democratic decline is happening across Europe.”
Elisa Peter, Civitates’ Director.
The event has been co-designed by the participants to reflect their priorities – and ours as a listening organisation.
For funders, it offers the chance to engage with people working on the ground protecting democracy, and learn about the specific contexts they operate in.
For grantees, this is a chance to connect and build solidarity with peers facing similar challenges across Europe.
On Monday March 9 grantee partners will meet for an informal networking dinner and drinks, setting the tone for an open, participatory gathering. Part One will be the Civic Forum (Monday and Tuesday), featuring exchanges and peer learning for grantee partners; Part Two is Democracy Futures (Wednesday), in which grantee and foundation partners explore long-term democratic scenarios and share strategic pathways; Part Three is the Civitates General Assembly meeting for foundation partners, providing space to reflect on insights gained and align them with Civitates’ long-term strategic direction.
At the end of the four days, we expect that collaboration among members of our pan-European community is strengthened and that new ideas for protecting democracy are generated.
