Join our upcoming ValEUs Civil Society Debate on “Strengthening Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe: Democratic Innovations as a Response to Contestations of EU Values” hosted by Adam Mickiewicz University.
How can democratic innovations strengthen democracy in Central and Eastern Europe? This debate explores how citizens’ assemblies, youth engagement, and social innovations can empower communities, foster participation, and uphold core European values amid democratic challenges.
Speakers:
• Adela Gąsiorowska (National Freedom Institute, Warsaw)
• Eva Mackeviča (Foundation “Pole Dialogu”, Warsaw)
• Leanid Marozau (Expert Group on Youth Rights, European Youth Forum, Brussels)
• Barłomiej Schmidt (“Lepsze Miasto” Association, Kraków)
• Magdalena Szczudło (Foundation for the Development of Local Democracy, Warsaw)
Moderator:
Dr. hab. Paulina Pospieszna, Faculty of Political Science and Journalism, Adam Mickiewicz University, Democratic Innovations Research Group
Date & time: 06/11/2025 |1:15 PM (CET)
Venue: Faculty of Political Science and Journalism: Room 121, Adam Mickiewicz University
Live stream: via YouTube
About the Event
In Central and Eastern Europe, democratic institutions are increasingly challenged by declining public trust, shrinking civic space, and political polarization. This roundtable will explore how democratic innovations—such as citizens’ assemblies, participatory mechanisms, and social innovations—can contribute to rebuilding civic trust and strengthening democratic resilience. The discussion will address three key dimensions of democratic renewal: the empowerment of civil society and local communities, the diffusion of deliberative tools such as citizens’ assemblies in addressing complex issues including climate policy, and the engagement of youth and grassroots activists in defending democratic values. It will also consider the role of public institutions and social innovators in promoting inclusive participation and co-decision-making processes. Bringing together NGO practitioners and experts from across the region, the debate aims to highlight practical pathways for strengthening democracy in times of value contestation and democratic backsliding.
ValEUs Civil Society Debates
The ValEUs Project has organised a series of panel discussions with civil society organisations discussing European values and EU foreign policy, engaging a global audience (live stream) and local participants in the US, Poland, Mexico, Morocco and Ukraine. NGO’s, social movements, citizen organisations and activists are invited to share their thoughts about climate change, democracy, trade agreements, colonialism, and conflict. In these debates, contestations and ambivalences of European foreign policy are exposed, allowing for the exploration of new avenues to counteract these contestations and ambivalences.
