In 2023, the EU and its member states became less proactive in promoting new democracy strategies and funding. While they focused on longer-term reforms in Ukraine and other states, the eruption of several crises along Europe’s borders complicated an emphasis on the global defense of democracy.

Leaders agreed that the Summit for Democracy process will continue to improve coordination among democracies. If the EU is to prove its credibility and effectiveness, concrete actions are needed in the months ahead.

Carnegie Europe and the European Partnership for Democracy are pleased to invite you to the public event to celebrate the launch of the European Democracy Hub’s flagship publication, “European Democracy Support Annual Review 2022.” 

In a year dominated by the rhetoric of defending democracy, EU democracy support policies were adjusted in important ways to align with the new geopolitical context. However, the union also seemed to treat commitments in this area as second-order priorities compared to security.

There have been many more democratic openings since 2011 than is commonly thought. In that time, the EU has accelerated its response to crises and conflicts but has failed to develop financial, diplomatic, and trade mechanisms that grasp democratic opportunities with the same conviction.

Countries around the world are struggling to bridge the gap between citizens and political elites. Innovative practices outside the West, while far from ideal, should be considered in debates about democratic renewal in Europe.

Democracy support organizations are struggling to maintain operations in states with hostile environments. They need to reassess their approach in such countries and seek to address the political drivers of repression.

Innovative forms of deliberative and participatory democracy from outside the West can inspire reform in European states.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has dramatically altered the security and defense architecture of Europe. It also has the potential to reshape democracy support policies, changing practices of defending and extending democratic values and of interactions with autocratic states.

In 2021, the European Union promised to strengthen democracy support through initiatives like Team Europe Democracy. The question is whether it will follow through on these promises in 2022.