Shaping Democracy 2026

03-08-2026

19.11.2026 17:00 - 21.11.2026 18:00

Location

Democracy International
Gürzenichstraße 21 a-c
Cologne
Germany

Democracy is changing. Across Europe, people are experimenting with new ways to involve citizens in public decisions, defend fundamental rights, and respond to challenges such as climate change. But too often, these conversations happen within national borders.

Shaping Democracy 2026 changes that.

Through interactive workshops, discussions, exhibitions, and public events, Shaping Democracy 2026 brings together citizens, activists, researchers, local government representatives, and participation practitioners to share and connect. Conversations focus on democracy, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, climate participation, and democratic innovation. Along the way, you will exchange experiences, discover inspiring practices from across Europe, and build new connections that extend beyond the event.

Please register, if you would like to participate! We will send you further information about the event and the programme in advance of the conference.

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Democracy is more than elections. Every day, it depends on people whose rights are protected, whose voices are heard, and who have meaningful opportunities to shape the decisions that affect their lives. At Shaping Democracy 2026, we'll have several thematic tracks to explore four interconnected dimensions of democracy and what they mean for Europe's future.

Democracy and Fundamental Rights

Democracy can only truly exist when everyone's rights are protected. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights provides a shared foundation for freedom, equality, and the rule of law across Europe. Together, we'll explore how fundamental rights strengthen democratic societies, how they can be upheld in the face of today's challenges how the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights can become a living framework for stronger democracies.

Democracy Through Participation

Strong democracies are built together with citizens, not just for them. From local initiatives to citizens' assemblies, participation gives people the opportunity to shape public decisions and build trust in democratic institutions. We'll exchange ideas and experiences on how participation can become more inclusive, meaningful, and effective.

Democracy and Climate Action

Climate democracy explores how citizens can contribute to climate policy through dialogue, deliberation, and collaborative decision-making. Together, we will discover and discuss how democratic participation can help create climate solutions that are both ambitious and broadly supported by those affected by them, the people.

Democracy Through Innovation

As societies change, democracy must evolve with them. Across Europe, new democratic tools and participatory methods are helping institutions become more transparent, responsive, and resilient. We will explore innovative approaches that strengthen democracy and inspire new ways of working together.

Shaping Democracy 2026 builds upon the European projects CharterNet and Citizens for Climate. Both initiatives promote knowledge of European fundamental rights, citizen participation, climate democracy, and democratic innovation while bringing international expertise to Cologne.

The programme is approximate and will be finalised closer to the event.

You can join the event for the full day or just for a selected session.

19 November, Day 1: Connect	When?	What?
	18:00-19:00	Two opening exhibitions: Discover and Explore 1. Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union - Our Rights, Our Democracy 2. Democracy for Climate Action: What Europe Can Learn from Climate Activists in South America
	19:00-21:00	Networking evening
20 November, Day 2: Exchange
	10:00 - 11:30	Panel: Shaping Democracy Together: From Citizens' Voices to Political Action _{How can citizens meaningfully have a say in political decisions beyond elections? Bringing together experts, local politicians and participation practitioners, this panel explores how to make citizens' participation more inclusive, effective and impactful, drawing on examples from local democracy and climate action.}
	11:45 - 13:00	Panel and Discussion: the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights _{What role does the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights play in protecting our rights and strengthening democracy across Europe? This session explores the Charter's relevance, its practical application and current challenges in fundamental rights protection. Building on these insights, an open discussion will invite participants to reflect on how the Charter can be better understood, promoted and used in practice, and how civil society and citizens can contribute to making fundamental rights a reality for everyone.}
	13:00 - 14:00	Lunch
	14:00 - 16:00	Parallel sessions Workshop: Climate Best Practices in Europe _{This workshop presents best practices in citizen participation in climate policymaking from seven European countries. Together, we will explore practical tools and approaches to strengthen citizen engagement and encourage active participation in climate action.} Interactive Workshop: Fundamental Rights in Practice _{This interactive workshop invites participants to step into different perspectives and experience the challenges faced by people whose rights are at risk. Through participatory exercises and reflection, we will explore how discrimination, inequality and other barriers affect the enjoyment of fundamental rights.}
	16:15 - 17:00	Parallel sessions Workshop: Exploring Fundamental Rights Protection, Awareness, Redress mechanisms in Europe _{How can citizens better understand, exercise and defend their fundamental rights? What tools and mechanisms are available when these rights are challenged or violated? This workshop explores practical approaches to fundamental rights protection, awareness-raising and access to redress mechanisms across Europe. Discussing existing tools, initiatives and good practices, participants will exchange experiences and discover how citizens, activists and civil society organisations can better promote rights awareness and support people in exercising and defending their rights.} Interactive Workshop: Democracy Fitness _{Democracy happens not only in parliaments but wherever people make decisions together – in communities, workplaces, schools, and everyday life. Yet democratic skills such as active listening, empathy, forming opinions, and managing conflicts need regular practice. Democracy Fitness offers a hands-on approach to strengthening these skills. Developed in Denmark in 2017, the concept is now used in twelve countries.} _{Achim Wölfel,}_{Executive Director, Mehr Demokratie e.V. NRW} _{Jannik Tepe,}_{Mehr Demokratie e.V. NRW}
	18:30 - 19:00	Keynote tba
	19:00 - 22:00	Celebrating 15 years of Democracy International _{Join us in celebrating 15 years of Democracy International! We invite all our partners, friends, and supporters to celebrate this milestone together with drinks, finger food, and good company.}
21 November, Day 3: Shape
	10:00 - 11:30	Parallel sessions Workshop: Co-Creating Solutions for Stronger Fundamental Rights in the EU Panel: Shaping Democracy: Direct Democracy and Citizen Participation through Global Trends and Practices
	11:30 - 12:30	Closing session: Building Europe's Democratic Future Together

Project funding

This project is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CERV. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Project funding

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