Deadline: June 15, 2023.

The World Forum for Democracy calls for expressions of interest from innovative initiatives, from all over the world, aiming at enhancing democracy and contributing to sustainable peace.

War has once again returned to the European continent.  The shock has been such that a renewed appreciation for peace, and worry for the welfare of democracy, has risen within the European and international communities.  Armed conflicts, however, had never ceased to be a recurring threat in the world.  The post Second World War vision of peace and prosperity, underpinned by democracy, never fully delivered.  In the twenty-first century, the question is still open whether this vision can fulfil its promise.   At a time when violence rages, inequalities are widening, and politics is polarising – and when governments are struggling to cope with unforeseen events including climate change, pandemics and the rise of new technologies- now is the time to ask: can democracy deliver peace?

The key conclusions and lessons learnt from the labs will be discussed in a summing up session to prepare the overall conclusions of the Forum. The Forum participants will vote to choose the winner of the Democracy Innovation Award among the presented initiatives.

• These may be for example, but not limited to:
  • Innovative forms of civic engagement and public-private partnerships
  • Cross-border partnerships related to democratic governance and peacebuilding
  • Advocacy for underrepresented groups, women, minorities, children, indigenous communities, immigrants, refugees, and non-citizens (stateless and undocumented persons)
  • Fostering democracy and peace through education, new platforms for conflict resolution and peace-building
  • Learning from the past, fighting historical revisionism, innovative approaches to presenting the past, i.e. museums, media, collaborative events, documentaries, multi-perspectivity
  • Public accountability, anti-corruption, transparency of public and private finance.
  • Addressing the wealth gap, new ways of lifting people out of poverty, crowdfunding activism, social enterprises, rural development.
  • Reconciliation and trust-building processes, truth-telling, restorative justice.Protection for activists promoting peace and non-violence as a way of life.
  • Promoting social, economic and or civic empowerment of women and girls.Study, data collection or analysis of hate crimes, extremism, inequalities, polarisation, propaganda, cyber warfare etc.
  • Alternative economic practices, for example local cooperatives, non-monetary exchange, collective ownership, virtual economies, people-centred businesses, socially responsible financial practices.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• The World Forum for Democracy calls for expressions of interest from innovative initiatives, from all over the world, aiming at enhancing democracy and contributing to sustainable peace.
• Any public or private organisation is eligible to apply. One presenter for the selected initiatives will be invited to Strasbourg to take part in the World Forum

BENEFITS

Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the Council of Europe if required.

OFFICIAL LINK