The report is based on a thorough portfolio analysis of H2020 and HE ERC funded projects, resulting in 215 projects addressing various aspects linked to democracy. The report presents project highlights in six thematic areas: democratic governance and political representation; elections and voting; citizen engagement; human rights and rule of law; disinformation, fake news, and social media, and polarisation, populism, and authoritarianism. 

The objective is to highlight how ERC funded curiosity driven research contributes knowledge and solutions to pressing societal challenges, in this case on democracy.