Applications call for Council of Europe Forum for Democracy 2020

The 2020 World Forum for Democracy will debate the issues and generate new ideas for tackling the environmental crisis we face today. It will bring together leading voices from politics, business, NGOs, academia and journalism, and citizen-led initiatives from around the world. Any public or private organization is eligible to apply.

About the World Forum for Democracy

Our societies have been tested by an extreme and unexpected global challenge in 2020, but while an essential battle is fought against the Covid-19 pandemic, humanity’s greatest existential threat looms ever larger. Environmental damage and climate change have not gone away. The poisoning of our land and pollution in our air and water is still killing plants, animals and humans alike. Rising temperatures and sea levels are on course to render lands uninhabitable and force people to leave their homes and seek new lives. The time to act is now!

Yet recent polling indicates the highest ever recorded levels of dissatisfaction and mistrust with democracy as a system of government. Its response to a whole series of recent challenges – economic, pandemic, and indeed environmental – have disappointed millions of people. Many are questioning the capacity, competence and even legitimacy of democratic governance to address their greatest needs.

Aim

The Forum is a unique platform for political decision-makers and activists to debate solutions to key challenges for democracies worldwide. By identifying and analyzing experimental initiatives and practices, the Forum highlights and encourages democratic innovations at the grassroots and their transfer on a systemic level in order to strengthen the foundations of democratic societies. The Forum thus contributes to the evolution of democracy and the development of more participatory and inclusive structures and institutions. Plenary sessions will be an opportunity to discuss with speakers from all continents, political perspectives, and walks of life and to frame the questions. The labs will allow participants to test innovative initiatives that offer responses to the key questions. This is a moment to think big and make a change.

Eligibilities

The World Forum of Democracy will select one initiative to take part in the World Forum in Strasbourg. The Council of Europe will cover the necessary travel and accommodation costs.

Read the full concept note of the Forum 2020

Call for initiatives 2020