Publications

Democracy once had it easier. Its global influence is declining, social conflicts are hardening, and trust in state institutions is eroding. At the same time, people are demanding more participation and a stronger sense of community. What can be done? Concepts for renewing...

Diverse citizen participation means that not always just the “usual suspects” join. Instead, it enables many different perspectives to influence a participation process. Participation thereby not only strengthens trust but also leads to better outcomes.

That sounds good,...

Citizen participation strengthens democracy beyond elections. The Young Elected Politicians (YEP) programme trains and connects local politicians under 35 across the EU. Its Winter School, developed with the Bertelsmann Foundation, has become a core part of the YEP workshops...

The prospect of enlargement has provided a push for new ideas and has invigorated debate

on EU institutional reform. Besides internal institutional transformation, enlargement opens

a window for another crucial step: the EU must transition from being a Union of citizens...

Zur Halbzeit der Legislaturperiode ist es Zeit für eine Zwischenbilanz der Ampel-Regierung: Wie viele ihrer im Koalitionsvertrag vereinbarten Regierungsvorhaben wurden bereits umgesetzt? Wie viel davon ist noch offen? Hält die Regierung was sie den Bürger:innen als...

Die „Ampel“ hat zur Halbzeit ihrer Legislaturperiode bereits fast zwei Drittel ihres ambitionierten Koalitionsvertrages entweder umgesetzt oder angepackt. Das zeigt eine aktuelle Studie der Bertelsmann Stiftung in Zusammenarbeit mit der Universität Trier und dem Progressiven...

The EU institutions are continuing their effort to advance citizen participation. In May 2023, the first generation of European Citizens’ Panels announced by the Commission President von der Leyen finished their work. The team of the EU Democracy Reform Observatory, a joint...

During his election campaign, French President Macron committed to launching a public debate on euthanasia and suicide in France. For years, there have been debates between French supporters and opponents of changing the law to introduce active euthanasia.  

184 citizens...

Lors de sa campagne pour sa réélection, le Président de la République française, Emmanuel Macron, s’est engagé à ouvrir le débat public sur le suicide assisté et l’euthanasie. Depuis des années, la tension monte entre un nombre croissant de citoyens français en faveur d’un...