Bertelsmann Stiftung "Democracy"

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

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

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.

Paris: Network for Participation & Deliberation in Europe strengthens citizen participation – High-level event sends political signal

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Democratic systems across Europe are under pressure. In this context, the Network for Participation & Deliberation in Europe convened its sixth network meeting in Paris. Over three days, leading experts in participation worked intensively on advancing strategic approaches for effective citizen participation. What makes this network unique is that it consists of the implementers of participation – civil servants and participation professionals from across Europe and from European institutions.

Paris: Network for Participation & Deliberation in Europe strengthens citizen participation – High-level event sends political signal

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Ensuring Impact: New Guidelines for Effective Citizen Participation Published

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

With “Ensuring Impact – A Guide to Effective Set-up and Follow-up of Citizen Participation”, the Bertelsmann Stiftung, together with the Federation for Innovation in Democracy Europe (FIDE), publishes a comprehensive guide for designing participation processes that deliver real impact. The publication was developed as part of the New Democracy project and is aimed at public administrations and political decision-makers at the regional, national, and European levels.

Ensuring Impact: New Guidelines for Effective Citizen Participation Published

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:12:57 +0100

Fault lines in democracy  – Towards a new culture of conflict and participation in the age of AI

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Democracy once had it easier. Its global influence is declining, social conflicts are hardening, and trust in state institutions is eroding. Yet citizens are demanding more participation and a stronger sense of belonging. How can democracy respond? To renew democracy, we must address the defining fault lines of our time. In the age of AI, government and society need to cultivate openness towards more cooperation and a new culture of conflict and genuine compromise.

Fault lines in democracy  – Towards a new culture of conflict and participation in the age of AI

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Algorithms in election campaigns: A study by the University of Potsdam and the Bertelsmann Stiftung shows an imbalance in the visibility of political parties in young people's social media feeds

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

It has never been so easy for politicians to get attention in the everyday life of voters, as these days through social media. But what young people see about politics in their social media feeds is determined by platform algorithms. The study “Digitised, politicised, polarised?” (in German “Digitalisiert, politisiert, polarisiert?”) shows that algorithms play videos from parties at both ends of the political spectrum more frequently, while posts from the political center appear less often in feeds. Even if centrist parties post more frequently in comparison, they are less visible in feeds. To ensure the integrity of future elections, there needs to be a social and political discourse on the role of social media platforms in times of digital election campaigns.

SHORTCUT 13 – September 2025

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:58:12 +0200

Diverse Citizen Participation:

For an Inclusive Democracy

How to defend Europe without risking another euro crisis

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Europe needs to massively increase its defense spending. We explain how to durably do so without stoking market fears.

Bertelsmann Stiftung "Democracy"

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

Paris: Network for Participation & Deliberation in Europe strengthens citizen participation – High-level event sends political signal

Paris: Network for Participation & Deliberation in Europe strengthens citizen participation – High-level event sends political signal

Ensuring Impact: New Guidelines for Effective Citizen Participation Published

Ensuring Impact: New Guidelines for Effective Citizen Participation Published

Fault lines in democracy – Towards a new culture of conflict and participation in the age of AI

Fault lines in democracy – Towards a new culture of conflict and participation in the age of AI

Algorithms in election campaigns: A study by the University of Potsdam and the Bertelsmann Stiftung shows an imbalance in the visibility of political parties in young people's social media feeds

SHORTCUT 13 – September 2025

Diverse Citizen Participation:

For an Inclusive Democracy

How to defend Europe without risking another euro crisis

Fault lines in democracy  – Towards a new culture of conflict and participation in the age of AI

Fault lines in democracy  – Towards a new culture of conflict and participation in the age of AI