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Source Bertelsmann Stiftung, Stefan Roch, mit KI bearbeitet (Adobe Firefly)

New position paper: Strengthening citizen participation in Europe through civic tech in the age of AI

How can citizen participation succeed in Europe amid rising polarization, declining trust, and AI-driven communication? A new position paper by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra explores the role of civic technology – and outlines the political and structural conditions needed to unlock its full potential.

The publication “European Civic Technology and Citizen Participation in the Age of AI – A needs perspective” analyzes the needs of citizens, civic tech providers, and public administrations. It highlights a key challenge: digital participation must be accessible and easy to use, while also delivering meaningful political impact. 

Content

The paper focuses on three core perspectives:

  • Citizens need participation opportunities that are simple, trustworthy, and fit into everyday life – while ensuring visible impact. 
  • Civic tech providers require better framework conditions, including sustainable funding, clearer compliance pathways, and stronger interoperability. 
  • Public administrations must integrate digital participation strategically and connect it to internal processes. 

The position paper builds on discussions from the Political Tech Summit 2026 in Berlin and brings together insights from practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. It also outlines concrete ways in which civil society and foundations can strengthen the European civic tech ecosystem – for example by fostering collaboration, setting standards, and enabling responsible experimentation with AI.

Alternative text

Source © Stefan Roch

A key takeaway: strengthening democratic participation through digital tools requires more than technology. It depends on clear political impact, transparent processes, and a more coordinated European ecosystem.

European Civic Technology and Citizen Participation in the Age of AI

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