The final decision on the European Capital of Democracy 2027 will be made by a Citizens’ Jury of more than 4,500 people from across Europe.
🗳️ Register now to become a Citizen Juror!
capitalofdemocracy.eu/join-us-as-a...
Democracy is not only shaped in parliaments and national institutions.
It is also shaped in neighbourhoods, public spaces and city halls — where cities create new opportunities for participation and democratic innovation.
Read the full press release here: capitalofdemocracy.eu/ankara-bruss...
Ankara 🇹🇷, Brussels 🇧🇪 and Denizli 🇹🇷 have been shortlisted for the title of European Capital of Democracy 2027.
The three cities were selected by the Experts’ Jury for their innovative approaches to citizen participation, local governance and democratic innovation
Helfried Carl, Founder of the European Capital of Democracy NPO, highlighted the significance of the year ahead: “Together, we will make Cascais an important stage for a pan-European dialogue that demonstrates that democracy delivers for its citizens.” - @helfriedcarl.bsky.social
During the ceremony, the European Capital of Democracy trophy 🏆 was handed over to the municipality.
Mayor Nuno Piteira Lopes emphasised:
“This award is not mine – it belongs to the citizens of Cascais. This trophy is a commitment to the future of Cascais.”
Today, Cascais officially launched its year as European Capital of Democracy 2026 🇪🇺
More than 200 guests gathered at the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego to celebrate the beginning of Cascais’ Democracy Year – a year dedicated to democratic innovation, civic participation and international exchange.
These exchanges underline how essential cooperation between European institutions and local leadership has become — especially at a time when democratic systems are under increasing pressure.
Grateful for the open dialogue and looking forward to the next steps.
In conversations i.a. with cabinet members of Vice-President Virkkunen and of Commissioners Dombrovskis and Zaharieva the focus was on citizen participation, institutional resilience and the role of cities in reinforcing democratic practice at all levels.
ECoD goes Brussels 🇪🇺
Last week, Tijana Zherajikj and Helfried Carl were in Brussels to meet with representatives of the European Commission and explore how we can further strengthen democratic innovation across Europe.
In Tirana, the Experts’ Jury examined how democratic innovation moves beyond concepts — into real institutional practice on the ground.
📍 Tirana is one of four longlisted cities competing for the title European Capital of Democracy 2027.
🇦🇱 Tirana welcomed members of our Experts’ Jury as part of the ECoD 2027 evaluation process.
The Jury met with city leadership, representatives of governing and opposition parties, academic experts and civil society actors to assess how participation is translated into concrete policies.
In Denizli, the Experts’ Jury explored projects translating democratic principles into everyday public services — from inclusive urban planning and child development centres to barrier-free infrastructure and participatory mobility.
🇹🇷 Members of our Experts’ Jury visited Denizli to exchange with the Mayor, city representatives, councillors from governing and opposition parties, and civil society organisations.
These city visits are key to assessing democratic innovation on the ground — beyond concepts, towards real impact.
Submit innovative initiatives that strengthen democracy, improve people’s lives, and inspire change across Europe.
event.innovationinpolitics.eu/Innovationin...
🏆 The Innovation in Politics Awards 2026 are open for submissions!
Do you know a political project that’s making a real difference in Europe? Or are you working on one yourself?
📍 City visits allow us to see democratic practices in action, ask critical questions and better understand how participation works on the local level.
🏙️ As part of the European Capital of Democracy selection process, members of the our Experts' Jury spent a full day in #Brussels meeting 🏛️ city representatives, 🤝 governing & opposition councillors, 🌱 civil society organisations and 🧩 project owners.
The final decision on the European Capital of Democracy 2027 will be made by the Citizens’ Jury. 👉 capitalofdemocracy.eu/join-the-cit...
Our Experts’ Jury visited Ankara to assess democratic projects and practices on the ground.
They met with the Mayor, city representatives, opposition councillors, civil society organisations and youth initiatives.
European Capitals of Democracy are chosen through a multi-stage process.
The final decision is made by a Citizens’ Jury of more than 4,500 engaged individuals from across the Council of Europe member states and Kosovo.
Register now, become a Citizens’ Juror: capitalofdemocracy.eu/join-us-as-a...
The Experts’ Jury is currently visiting the longlisted cities to assess projects and democratic initiatives on the ground.
• Ankara, Türkiye
• Brussels, Belgium
• Denizli, Türkiye
• Tirana, Albania
After a highly successful Democracy Year in Vienna, Cascais is taking over the title of European Capital of Democracy in 2026.
At the same time these four cities are competing for European Capital of Democracy 2027.
ℹ️ Did you know?
Samsung has created its own Mobile Gaming Hub — a central platform to organise games, discover new titles, explore gaming trends and enjoy an outstanding mobile gaming experience. 🎮
Chek this out: www.samsung.com/at/apps/gami...
We were proud to bring Truth, Lies & Democracy to life together with a strong network of partners, including the City of Vienna, Belvedere Museum, SKILLED and Samsung Austria.
Thank you for supporting high-quality gaming experiences that strengthen media literacy and democracy.
From 26 to 28 September, 62 young creatives and developers from across Europe gathered in Vienna for Truth, Lies & Democracy - a 48-hour Game Jam fighting fake news through creativity, critical thinking and play. 🎮
This highlight video captures the energy and collaboration that shaped the weekend.
What does democratic engagement and innovation look like in Vienna?
▪️ over 600 events
▪️ Vienna’s first Democracy Strategy
▪️ new spaces for participation – incl. the Office for Public Participation
A strong year. A strong message: local democracy matters.
“Cities are laboratories for democratic futures.”
ECoD founder @helfriedcarl.bsky.social shared this thought at the press briefing – and we couldn’t agree more. 📹 Watch the interview: www.meinbezirk.at/wien/c-polit...
Thanks to everyone who helped shape this year.
Cascais, it’s your turn 🇵🇹
Yesterday marked the official closing of Vienna’s year as European Capital of Democracy 24/25.
At a press briefing in Vienna’s City Hall, the Mayors of #Vienna and #Cascais reflected on what it means to build democratic cities – and passed on the torch to Cascais, Portugal 🇵🇹
… day 2 in Brussels: After yesterday’s meeting in the @euparliament.bsky.social, having talks with officials from the @ec.europa.eu about @capitalofdemocracy.eu and our contribution to strengthening European Democracy.
It was a pleasure welcoming Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs, @beate.neos.eu yesterday evening at the @kreiskyforum.bsky.social for what proved to be a tour d‘horizon with @ckahlweit.bsky.social and @raimundloew.bsky.social. @capitalofdemocracy.eu @innovationinpolitics.eu
