The (long) fight for democracy in Europe
In recent years, Europe and most other parts of the world have seen an unsettling trend of democratic backsliding – with democracy retreating and autocracy gaining. Democratic backsliding is not only connected to electoral problems, but also related to other political elements such as the infringement of individual rights and freedom of expression. These challenges threaten the core of Europe’s democratic woes, and the foundational principles of the European Union.
According to Carnegie Europe, the level of democracy in Europe has fallen back forty years, to where it was in 1978. Over the last decade, there have been some trends across Europe that threaten our progress: from shrinking civic space, to the political success of populist, nationalists and authoritarian groups, legislative backslash against the rights of women and minorities and continued social exclusion of groups in vulnerable situations, just to name a few. The rise of digital technology has exacerbated some of these problems, with the digital gap between people online and offline breeding a new kind of civic exclusion and hate speech.
These challenges, among many others, underscore the need for urgent action to preserve Europe’s commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law. That is where the EEA and Norway Grants play a critical role in the fight for democracy in Europe.
Youth discussing about civic space during one of the activities of the ‘Placemaking for democracy’ project in Bulgaria. ©BG Be Active
Joining forces to save democracy
Through the Grants, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway contribute to a more democratic and inclusive Europe. The Grants are based on shared European values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Making sure that younger generations are better equipped for the future, that marginalised groups are empowered, and that institutions are transparent and just are the fundamental drivers of the programmes supported by the EEA and Norway Grants.
The Grants stand out compared to other funding sources in many of these areas. For instance, the Active Citizens Fund is one of the largest funding sources for democracy and human rights organisations in many EU countries, providing rare support for advocacy and watchdog activities. But the funding goes beyond the Active Citizens Fund.
The Active Citizens Fund is all about supporting civil society, and civil society is a key actor in protecting vulnerable groups in society, including minorities. That's why it's so important for the EEA and Norway Grants to support this. The Grants is not the biggest fund operating in this market, but we are strong enough to make a difference. Jon Erik Strømø, Director, Section for Central Europe and EEA and Norway Grants, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In areas such as asylum and migration, gender-based violence or correctional services, the EEA and Norway Grants facilitate unique models focusing on human rights and human dignity. One more area to highlight is Roma inclusion and empowerment, where the Grants finance flagship programmes and projects that apply a systemic, flexible, and integrated approach, with investments in both infrastructure and services. These areas – and many more – were at the centre of all the discussions that took place at the Fundamental Rights Forum in Vienna this week. A space where human rights actors came together to discuss about the future of our democracy - and the EEA and Norway Grants were part of it too.
#RightsForum2024 and the future of our societies
Nicole Romain, Head of Communication at the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, moderating one session at the Fundamental Rights Forum in Vienna. © EEA and Norway Grants.
The Fundamental Rights Forum is the biggest event on human rights organised in Europe. The Forum, organised by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights every two years, gathered more than 900 participants, including EU institutions, governments, human rights bodies, academia, civil society, youth, the business world and many more. The EEA and Norway Grants, along with key organisations involved in our programmes and projects such as the European Wergeland Centre, Ökotárs Alapítvány and the Calouste Gulbenkian foundation were part of it.
The EEA and Norway Grants are based on the common values and respect for human rights and democracy. We are proud to take part in the Fundamental Rights Forum to tackle human rights challenges in Europe. Ragna Fidjestøl, Managing Director at the EEA and Norway Grants
The Fundamental Rights Forum is a unique space to explore the pressing human rights challenges that Europe faces today – and find common solutions. But the Forum was yet again a reminder that the fight for our common values requires everyone to work together – towards the same goal. “Partners such as the EEA and Norway Grants are critical to the success of the Fundamental Rights Forum”, says Sirpa Rautio, Director at EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.
Working together for a democratic Europe – project by project
The main conclusion from the Forum was that all the diverse voices play a key role in shaping our future. From human rights bodies, to academic, civil society, youth, art, vulnerable communities and many others. These actors are the driving forces behind many of the projects supported by the EEA and Norway Grants. Here are just five of them, and even though the funding behind the projects might be small, their contribution to building a democratic Europe is enormous.
The team of Polish and Norwegian researchers behind the project. ©webimmunization
1. Fighting fake news through social networks in Poland
People living in modern, digitised societies have to process an unprecedented amount of online information on a daily basis. Crucially, they often actively participate in the development and spread of this information through the online social networks they belong to. Although these changes in the distribution of information have a democratising potential because they take power away from media companies and governments, and empower a large number of formerly passive consumers, they also bring serious challenges.
Polish and Norwegian researchers joined forces in the project #Webimmunization to explore how online social networks can create collective resilience against misinformation.
Consortium partners during one of the project study visits at the FRA in Vienna in March 2023. ©Fundamental Rights Agency.
2. Finding new pathways to strengthen human rights
The unwavering commitment to fundamental rights and the rule of law is more essential than ever in today's European Union. Political uncertainties, economic challenges, and social changes are ever-present shaping our societies. An EEA and Norway Grants initiative aimed at bolstering the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in seven European countries sets the stage for stronger protection of human rights in Europe.
The project ‘Supporting National Human Rights Institutions in monitoring fundamental rights and the fundamental rights aspects of the rule of law’ is driven by a consortium of dedicated partners, including the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, as well as National Human Rights Institutions from Poland, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Latvia and Bulgaria, and the European Network of NHRIs (ENNHRI).
Website of the Croatian Ministry of Justice and Public Administration. ©Croatian Ministry of Justice and Public Administration.
3. Supporting the justice system in Croatia
A well-functioning justice system is key to protecting individual rights and upholding the rule of law. For any system to reach its full potential, everything needs to work well and work well together. That’s the idea behind a unique project in Croatia, which is funded by the Norway Grants. It consists of a set of activities that boost different aspects of the judiciary in Croatia at the same time. A complete package of 'hard' and 'soft' measures to make the entire system more effective and efficient.
The project is part of a larger justice programme operated by the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration in Croatia (MoJPA), which aims to strengthen the rule of law in the country. Its activities include relocating the courthouse in Split, improving citizens’ accessibility to justice, and professional training for the judges.
Abetare Krasniqi and Monica Lillebakken - police officers from Norway working with Romanian authorities.
4. Policing and combating hate crimes and violent extremism in Romania
Battling hate crimes and racial violence is a global fight – and it’s one yet to be won. In many places, a complicating factor is the deeply entrenched mistrust toward the police, the party traditionally involved with the management of these crimes. This is the case in Romania, a country with widespread persistence of hate-related crimes and violence, especially aimed at the Roma minority, immigrants and LGBTQI+ community.
The project aims to combat hate crimes and violent extremism, particularly against the Roma population, and increase the quality of police service. It involves the creation of a specialised Hate Crime Unit in the Romanian Police force, that has the expertise and knowhow to identify, investigate and fight racially motivated attacks and hate crimes.
Corinne Vella, representative from the Daphne Caruana Galizia along with Vice President of the European Parliament, Dita Charanzová, receiving the European Citizens Prize 2022 at the European Parliament. ©European Parliament Multimedia Centre
5. Fighting for transparency and accountability in Malta
Following the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation was born as a response against a rule of law crisis and corruption in Malta. The project led a public inquiry into her murder, and continues furthering international human rights and the rule of law. The project also fights for transparency and accountability of public bodies. Thanks to their important work, the foundation has seen many litigation victories for human rights, the protection of journalists, and access to information. The project continues to work to promote public interest journalism, the rule of law, accountability, and ending impunity.
These five projects exemplify how democracy thrives in the expansiveness of civic space, demanding relentless effort from its defenders. Yet, democracy can also be fragile and easily compromised by those who seek to diminish it. “The irony of democracy lies in its complexity to sustain but simplicity to undermine.”, says Sotiris Laganopoulos, Sector Officer at the EEA and Norway Grants. In this light, the vital work of EEA and Norway Grants for civil society emerges not just as support, but as a cornerstone, ensuring that the space for democratic engagement is not only protected but nurtured, embodying the true spirit of solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity.
Find out more about our support to civil society and other programmes here.