Promoting inclusive democracy in the digital age: EU and Denmark launch the Digital Democracy Initiative

Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and Dan Jørgensen, Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, launched at a virtual side event of the second Summit for Democracy on 28 March the Digital Democracy Initiative, an innovative funding platform that supports civil society actors in protecting and promoting democracy and human rights with digital technologies.

Commissioner Urpilainen said: "To be change makers, to mobilise others and to defend themselves against digital autocracies, women and youth, human rights defenders and independent journalists need digital technologies and the skills to master them. Launched together with Denmark in a Team Europe approach, with an €11 million contribution from the EU, the Digital Democracy Initiative will promote digital rights, resilience and inclusion, and empower individuals, in line with the Global Gateway strategy for sustainable and trusted connections, the EU’s vision for an inclusive internet that promotes accountability, and the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020–2024.”

Led by Denmark, the Digital Democracy Initiative supports the use of digital technologies to strengthen the digital resilience and security of pro-democracy civil society actors and to increase civic engagement in restrictive contexts. The initiative provides civil society with tools to fight disinformation and polarisation and to promote freedom of association and freedom of speech. The initiative also addresses the inequalities in digital access and digital marginalisation that are particularly evident for women and youth.

The Digital Democracy Initiative will run from 2023 to 2026, implemented through the organisations CIVICUS, Global Focus, Digital Defenders Partnership, and Access Now, among others. It contributes to the global Team Europe Democracy Initiative, a collaborative platform by the EU and 14 EU Member States to promote democracy in external action.

The US Summit for Democracy, organized on 29-30 March, is dedicated to democracy renewal and defending against authoritarianism.