The EU must invest in democracy to stem authoritarian tide, leading international organizations say
BRUSSELS – The European Union must commit sufficient funding to support democracy in its next seven-year budget and bolster the bloc’s global leadership in defence of its core values and security interests, five leading international organisations said on Thursday. Read the full joint statement.
Funding democracy support is essential to enhance an emboldened EU defence and security strategy and secure reliable trading partners. It is a critical mechanism by which EU soft power supports good governance, rule of law and human rights–more essential than ever as geopolitical shifts create a vacuum for anti-democratic forces to thrive.
The joint statement outlines six key proposals and is signed by five pro-democracy organisations: European Endowment for Democracy, European Network of Political Foundations, European Partnership for Democracy, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and Open Government Partnership.
It comes as the EU starts negotiations over its 2028-2034 budget. The EU estimates that it provided €4.5 billion in democracy support in 2021-2023, around 3€ per resident per year.
“Support for democracy is part of the DNA of the European Union, but it also serves its self-interest,” the statement says. “It is essential to integrate fundamental rights and democratic governance across EU policy areas. The EU and Member States need to dedicate resources in a more efficient and strategic way to respond more effectively to threats through the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework.”
The statement’s six principal recommendations are:
- Ensure the EU has stronger tools to financially sanction member states that systematically violate one of the key elements of democracy – the rule of law
- Counter disinformation through support for independent media and effective oversight of tech companies
- Put democracy at the heart of the EU enlargement process
- Embed democracy at the centre of the Global Gateway – the EU’s 300-billion-dollar global investment initiative, for the bloc’s long-term strategic interests
- Maintain the budget for democracy initiatives in EU foreign aid and diplomacy
- Boost emergency funding to support countries making unexpected and sudden transitions toward democracy
“Never before has the EU been challenged on so many fronts. But any EU comprehensive effort to enhance its security must remain attached to sustained support for the democratic values and institutions that are at the heart of the European project,” said International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora. “This critical moment is an opportunity for the EU to lead globally.”
Read the full joint statement.
Contact for media interviews
The heads of the five organizations are available for interviews. Please contact Alistair Scrutton, Head of Communications, a.scrutton@idea.int + 46 707 21 10 98
Organizations
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)
www.idea.int
European Endowment for Democracy
www.democracyendowment.eu
European Network of Political Foundations
www.enop.eu
European Partnership for Democracy
www.epd.eu
Open Government Partnership
www.opengovpartnership.org
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