Our Democracy Report: A Call from Young Europeans to #TakeDemocracySeriously
2025
Our Democracy Report: A Call from Young Europeans to #TakeDemocracySeriously
Our Democracy Report brings together the perspectives of over 60 young people from 16 EU Member States and Ukraine on the state of democracy across Europe. It highlights pressing challenges: declining youth participation, underfunded or politicised justice systems, digital divides that fuel disinformation, persistent discrimination, delayed climate action, and unequal education and economic opportunities. These issues transcend national borders, affecting the EU as a whole.
The report examines six key themes: participation in governance, justice systems, digital literacy, equality and non-discrimination, climate transition, and education and economic empowerment. It also highlights sparks of resilience: Austria lowering the voting age to 16, Belgium and France experimenting with citizens’ assemblies, Spain accelerating renewable energy, Ukraine building digital democracy tools during wartime, and the Court of Justice of the EU safeguarding rights across the Union.
The Democracy Rapporteurs’ message is clear: democracy is essential for a European Union of value. By mapping weaknesses alongside promising practices, the report offers concrete recommendations for policymakers, journalists, and citizens to defend and strengthen democratic principles.
Our Rule of Law Foundation is a youth-driven organisation committed to safeguarding the rule of law and democracy. Winner of the 2024 European Charlemagne Youth Prize, the foundation mobilises young people to develop Pan-European policy solutions, engage with experts, and actively contribute to defending democracy for future generations.
