The 6th Festival of European Democracy returns this year in Brussels with a focus on citizen engagement, inspired by the European Democracy Shield unveiled by the Commission in November 2025. Building on EU initiatives to strengthen democratic resilience, the Festival will showcase new approaches to participatory and deliberative democracy through panels, workshops, and project exhibitions.
Across the programme, three headline talks will guide the conversation: How is the Commission walking the talk of democratic resilience?, What’s new in citizen participation?, and What infrastructures for participation do we need? Together, they set the tone for a Festival dedicated to innovation, reflection, and the future of democratic involvement in Europe.