Policy

EPD actively works towards improving democracy support policies and advising on foreign policies that can reinforce democracy in the face of global challenges. Through our head office in Brussels, we play a key role in contributing to improving democracy support policies, working closely with EU institutions, European governments, and building civil society coalitions together with our partners.

We engage in advocacy on the following areas:

Democracy Innovation & Inclusion
Safeguarding Democracy
European Policies for Democracy
Democratic Principles in the Digital Sphere

Online Political Ads

Why is Commission proposing regulation on online political ads? What are the key issues at stake and who are the key-policy makers?

We have launched a webpage so you can stay informed on this key democracy issue!

Click here to learn more about Online Political Ads

Advocacy news

10 recommendations for a European response to the Ukraine invasion

We are at a critical juncture for the future of the European Union and democracy globally. The Russian war of aggression shows that authoritarian rule is a global security problem for states, businesses and people everywhere. Democracy support needs to…

Civil society recommendations for an ambitious rule of law report in 2022

As civil society, media and journalist organisations, we’re greatly committed to the EU’s efforts to champion the rule of law in Europe. In September 2021, we collectively provided advice for strengthening the 2022 rule of law reporting cycle with a…

EPD Statement on the Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law Report

The European Union continued to face significant challenges to the rule of law in 2021. As a network organisation with 18 members based in Europe and engaged in democracy support, the rule of law crisis has been of fundamental importance…

Reviewing progress on the EDAP

One year after the adoption of the EDAP, the Commission’s track record is impressive: out of the 30 action points it set out for itself, the Commission has completed 13 and made progress on 11. While some Commission proposals and…

Reaction to online political ads regulation proposal

Today, Vice President and Commissioner for Values and Transparency Jourova presented the European Commission’s proposal for a regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising. Online political advertising is a relatively new phenomenon that has not been thoroughly regulated…

Joint Statement on Recommender Systems

Thousands of internal documents from Facebook released by whistleblower Frances Haugen have provided undeniable evidence that Facebook’s engagement-based ranking system is knowingly causing harm to our societies and to vulnerable groups such as children and young girls. Despite this knowledge,…

The Summit for Democracy: A Menu of Commitments

With planning for the global summit for democracy well underway, numerous governments and democracy supporters around the world are reflecting on what they would like the summit to achieve. The Biden administration has clearly indicated that they expect concrete commitments…

Why the DSA matters to democracy

This week EPD was listed among the signatories of two joint civil society statements on the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). One statement issued by 50 CSOs called for the EU to increase the choice, transparency and oversight over recommender…

Joint Statement: Civil Society Recommendations for the Commission on the Rule of Law Report

As issues concerning the rule of law continue to threaten the fundamental rights of EU citizens, the Commission has released the 2021 Rule of Law Report, offering an overview of the current developments in the Member States. Recognising the key…