Each year, a different city will be designated as the European Capital of Democracy annually by a diverse jury of 10,000 European citizens. The first city will be designated in January 2023.

By joining our community of democracy defenders, you can make your voice heard, promote your cause, and select the very first European Capital of Democracy.

 As a juror, you will be able to:

• Add the role as professional experience on your CV
• Select the first European Capital of Democracy
• Join information sessions, training & workshops
   

Register here as a Citizen Juror:

https://capitalofdemocracy.eu/join-the-citizens-jury

Thank you for standing up for democracy with us!

The title-holding city will foster discourse on the future of democracy, hosting a year-long Programme of exciting events with citizens' participation at its heart. You have a crucial role to play in creating the first-ever Citizens' Jury for the European Capital of Democracy.

With a bit of luck, you might win tickets to join the opening of the year-long Programme featuring democratic best practice, activities and events for participants and visitors from all over Europe.

About the initiative:

European Capital of Democracy is carried out by ECoD NPO and powered by The Innovation in Politics Institute to promote and strengthen democracy in Europe and beyond.

Each year, cities over 100,000 inhabitants within the Council of Europe member states can apply to join the ECoD City Network to compete for the title of European Capital of Democracy. Up to 10,000 European citizens will designate the next city based on a shortlist by a diverse group of renowned professionals, the Experts’ Jury.

Together with its citizens, the European Capital of Democracy curates, organises and hosts a variety of activities that strengthen democracy. A year-long Programme will attract visitors from all over Europe – politicians, experts, civil society actors, artists, citizens and media representatives. They are invited to take part in the initiative and make the city a stage for European democracy.

ECoD City Network

European Capital of Democracy’s aim is to build a strong network of cities that will foster participation. In its first edition, 13 cities from 8 countries have joined the network, competing for the title European Capital of Democracy:

• Antwerp (Belgium)
• Barcelona (Spain)
• Bologna (Italy)
• Braga (Portugal)
• Brussels (Belgium)
• Burgos (Spain)
• Cascais (Portugal)
• Linz (Austria)
• Metz (France)
• Opole (Poland)
• Rzeszow (Poland)
• Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Valongo (Portugal)
   

Strongholds of democracy and champions of innovation

Cities have long been leading the way in democratic innovation. In recent years, many cities have organised citizens’ consultations on issues such as the process of immigrant integration, traffic-free zones, the preservation of cultural heritage, and improving public transport. Cities both large and small throughout Europe serve as laboratories for new ideas and incubators for democracy. Together, they will share their practices and help shape the future of European democracy.

Video

Welcome to the European Capital of Democracy!