Shaping democratic renewal: civic space and the path to a New Democratic Pact for Europe

At the 2023 Reykjavík Summit, Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe adopted the landmark Reykjavík Principles for Democracy, setting out a common vision of the key elements of a functioning democracy. These Principles underscore the vital role of civil society in upholding democratic values and safeguarding fundamental freedoms across Europe.

The 2025 Report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe, highlights the urgency of protecting civic space as a cornerstone of democratic renewal. It calls for stronger cooperation among member states, international organisations, and civil society to reverse current trends and reinforce democratic institutions.

In response, the process leading to the New Democratic Pact aims to revitalise democracy through innovation, institutional renewal, and civic empowerment. This high-level event will contribute to that effort by exploring how civic space can be strengthened at both national and international levels. It will showcase practical initiatives for monitoring civic space and inspire new approaches for civil society and member states to jointly advance the Pact and build a more inclusive and resilient democratic future.

The conference will provide a strategic platform for reinforcing stakeholder commitment to developing and strengthening a coherent mechanism for monitoring and protecting civic space across Council of Europe member states. It will facilitate the exchange of best practices and the formulation of concrete proposals – including policy recommendations, collaborative frameworks, and pilot initiatives – aimed laying foundations for such a mechanism.

Check the event’s page here.