Europe stands at a dangerous crossroads. Democracy – long held as a defining value of the Union – is under increasing threat from both external and internal forces. With work to realise the European Democracy Shield well and truly underway, the EU faces a crucial test: will this initiative strengthen democracy or risk further undermining it?
The European Commission is due to adopt its Democracy Shield in late 2025. The initiative aims to address severe threats to EU democracy and builds the European Democracy Action Plan (2020) and the Defence of Democracy Package (2023). The goal is timely and necessary: shoring up the integrity of democratic processes across the Union. But protective measures must not come at the expense of democratic values themselves. The public consultation, open until 26 May, presents a key moment to shape its direction.
Democracy’s real shield
At its core, democracy is built on far more than the once every four or five years votes, but on regular participation, practised pluralism, and vibrant civic engagement – pillars that civil society works to uphold every day.
This month, the European Parliament adopted Amendment 19 of the PIF (Protection of the EU’s Financial Interests) report, noting that, “civil society organisations are an essential component of a vibrant democratic society, ensuring the broad coverage of diverse views in public debates.” The current Commission seems to share this view, pledging at the beginning of its mandate to support and empower civil society. Furthermore, data shows that nearly 9 in 10 EU citizens see civil society as vital to defending democracy and EU values.
It is essential that any initiative to strengthen democracy is grounded in a firm commitment to the continued exercise of democratic rights and shelters civil society from the shifting winds of political favour.
When a shield becomes a sword
While the Democracy Shield’s goal of protecting EU democracy from foreign interference and disinformation is legitimate and necessary, its implementation carries serious risks if not carefully designed. Past proposals – such as the directive on transparency of interest representation targeting third-country funding in the Defence of Democracy Package – have drawn comparisons to “foreign agent” laws that have been misused globally to stigmatise and suppress civil society.
Moreover, there is a growing trend, even inside the EU, of using administrative burdens and legal tools to marginalise independent media, unions, and civil society organisations.
Without clear safeguards, the Shield could become a tool for governments within the Union to silence critical voices. Measures intended to enhance transparency could be weaponised to restrict funding for NGOs, limit advocacy and participation in policymaking, or shrink the space for protest and civic engagement.
The EU must ensure that the Shield does not weaken democracy, but strengthens it by protecting civic space and innovative democratic structures and safeguarding the legitimacy of civil society across the Union. If the Democracy Shield can be used to undermine the very civil and political rights it claims to protect, it will fail its purpose.
From defensive to transformative
Beyond the risks, the Democracy Shield also presents immense opportunities. To realise this, the EU must move beyond a defensive stance to future-proof democracy. This means fostering meaningful, inclusive participation, and ensuring that democracy evolves with society.
The Conference on the Future of Europe made this clear. Recommendation 36 called for a ‘full civic experience’ for Europeans with increased citizens’ participation in decision-making at European Union, ensuring that their voice is heard in between elections.
Civil Society Europe has also recommended that the Defense of Democracy Package includes a pillar on building a resilient democracy and a strong and vibrant space for civil society. This includes protecting defenders of democracy and the environment, ensuring accessible and sustained funding (like LIFE operating grants), and addressing imbalances in power and voice through structural support.
Innovative democratic practices – such as citizens’ panels, participatory budgeting, and civic assemblies – must be at the heart of the Democracy Shield. These tools don’t just engage citizens; they rebuild trust, transparency, and legitimacy in a system often seen as distant and opaque.
Democracy and the Environment: Intertwined Futures
There is no strong democracy without environmental justice – and vice versa. This was underscored in the European Economic and Social Committee’s (EESC) contribution to the Commission’s 2025 work programme, which calls for ambitious EU policies that are developed openly, inclusively, and with public understanding and consent.
Stronger democratic indicators consistently align with stronger environmental outcomes. To address the interlinked crises of ecological collapse, social inequality, and democratic backsliding, the EU needs institutions that don’t just withstand threats but actively foster civic engagement and trust.
The EESC has urged the Commission to protect civic participation as a core component of environmental and climate governance. Meanwhile, the European Environmental Bureau and Democratic Society have launched the Democracy for Transition coalition – a space to advance democratic innovation and environmental progress together, through inclusive, participatory policymaking. The Coalition has published a formal position on the EU Democracy Shield, calling for an initiative which not only defends the status quo, but also ensures that democracy is fit for the future and that democratic institutions and organisations are supported over the long term. Find it here.
A Path Forward
To get the Democracy Shield right, it must be built upon three pillars:
- Protection and support for civil society, including robust safeguards against misuse of transparency laws and proactive mechanisms to protect civic actors.
- Participatory democracy, integrating deliberative and inclusive processes into EU policy at every level.
- Legislative alignment with fundamental rights and environmental commitments, including compliance with the Aarhus Convention and protection from SLAPPs.
The Democracy Shield must not restrict but reinforce the space for civil society to thrive. A healthy democracy, like a healthy environment, depends on public trust, open participation, and the freedom to speak and organise. By protecting civic space, we lay the foundation for stronger communities, fairer societies, and a more sustainable future for all.
