A Message to the European Commission from the European Democracy Support Community
As the new College of Commissioners of the European Commission takes office today, EPD and its membership would wish them all the best for the challenging five years ahead.
Democracy faces an array of grave challenges, globally as well as within the EU’s own borders. 2024 has been a mega-election year and while millions of people, in the EU and abroad, freely expressed their choices at the ballot box, several worrying trends have emerged or been highlighted at the same time.
The outgoing Commission took important steps towards tackling democratic backsliding in Europe in recent years, including the European Democracy Action Plan, the European Media Freedom Act, the Regulation on the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA), the Digital Services Act (DSA), the annual rule of law report, an EU-level human rights sanctions regime and other initiatives. All of these efforts must be built upon and taken further in the coming mandate.
The European Commission President has laid out very ambitious plans for this legislature, including making the EU more competitive, deepening the Capital Markets Union, creating the European Defense Union, a new European Internal Security Strategy, a European Affordable Housing Plan, an EU anti-poverty strategy and staying on course with the Green Deal. For these initiatives to succeed, democracy and the EU’s founding values must be put at their very core. We have seen in recent years how the rise of authoritarian powers has complicated the EU’s policy agenda in myriad ways.
As a community of European democracy support organisations, we call on the new College of Commissioners to place democracy, at home and abroad, at the top of the policy agenda in the Union for the duration of their mandates and beyond. We will be there to support these efforts in the next 5 years.
The new European Commission needs to ensure that the key values of the EU – democracy, human rights and rule of law – are not only referred to in words but are also strategically implemented and sufficiently financed. It is crucial that the EU is coherent in vocalising its role as the global defender of democracy over the next five years.
Anu Juvonen, President of the European Partnership for Democracy and Executive Director at Demo Finland


As a democracy support organisation, we call upon the new European Commission to prioritise the strengthening of democratic institutions, the promotion of civic participation, and the safeguarding of human rights. Over the next five years, a dedicated focus on combating disinformation, supporting freedom of expression and inclusive governance will be critical to upholding and advancing the rule of law and democratic values across the EU and beyond.
María Elena Agüero, Secretary-General, Club de Madrid
We urge the European Institutions to prioritise human rights, democratic resilience, and the strengthening of civic space. We call upon the European Commission to provide solid support to civil society and grassroots movements, show more vigilance when rule of law is backsliding, and to foster inclusive governance. Together, let’s build just, rights-respecting societies in all their diversity.
Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, Executive Director, Netherlands Helsinki Committee


Freedom of information is the oxygen of democracy. We call on the new European Commission to prioritise media independence, enhance media literacy, and support access to reliable information. In the next five years, we look to the EU to amplify efforts that empower local media, counter disinformation, and foster inclusive, informed public dialogue across Europe and partner countries.
Alan Dreanic, Deputy Managing Director, CFI Media Development
While the EU must work to protect democracy within, it must not forget that democracy remains a universal aspiration that is increasingly being rolled back around the world. The EU has a treaty obligation to promote democracy abroad, but it is also a reflection of its values and integral to its interests to support democrats and democracy, the system most conducive to peace, inclusive development, and the respect of human rights.
Corinne Momal-Vanian, Executive Director, Kofi Annan Foundation


These are stormy times for democracy around the world. The EU should become a lighthouse for democratic values, providing orientation and concrete support. Democracy is not only a value, it is also a core interest. A world of authoritarian rulers endangers our security. We expect the EU to speak and act honestly and realistically in favour of democracy.
Michael Meyer-Resende and Nicola Schmidt, Executive Directors, Democracy Reporting International
Democracies foster stability by promoting inclusiveness and ensuring all voices are heard, facilitating peaceful coexistence and thriving societies. However, democracy is under threat. The EU is the foremost supporter of democracy globally and will need to continue to support a culture of dialogue worldwide, specifically focusing on youth and women. Civil society stands ready to continue on this mission as your partner in an area that is so vital for our security and prosperity.
Tijmen Rooseboom, Executive Director, Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy


Stopping and then reversing global democratic decline matters if we are to navigate the coming geopolitical, climatic, and technological transitions. This Commission should lead European efforts to support local leaders around the world to rebuild trust so that accountable and inclusive democracies – bolstered by commitment to international rule of law – can deliver services and security for their communities.
Anthony Smith, Chief Executive, Westminster Foundation for Democracy
We want a Commission that will collectively recognise, work and protect democracy as essential for citizens living together in Europe. We want clear, resolute and determined support for it. This means being leaders in democracy in Europe and around the world, underpinned by support for local actors as well as active and involved civil society.
Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary-General, ALDA
