- Reports
The Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG) of the European Parliament organised a high-level conference on “The Future of Democracy Support” on 18–19 March 2026 in Brussels. The event brought together Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission and Council Presidencies, international partners, practitioners, and experts to reflect on how the European Union can sustain and sharpen its democracy support agenda in an increasingly complex global environment.
The DEG plays a central role in providing political guidance on election observation, supporting national parliaments beyond the EU’s borders, coordinating Sakharov Prize Community activities and facilitating mediation and dialogue initiatives. Fourteen civil society representatives from the Republic of Moldova participated in the conference as part of an advocacy mission organised by Promo-LEX Association and facilitated by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.
Over two days, discussions focused on the EU’s evolving role as a global democracy actor amid profound geopolitical shifts, including renewed great power competition, democratic backsliding and a contested multilateral order. Participants emphasised that the EU’s commitment to democracy support remains both a legal obligation and a strategic necessity. However, delivering on this commitment requires renewed political will, stronger coherence across institutions, and clearer prioritisation. Democracy promotion was consistently framed not as an optional foreign policy tool, but as a core pillar of European security and stability.
Financing emerged as a central challenge, especially in the context of ongoing negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which will shape the EU’s external action instruments in the years ahead. While programmes such as Global Europe provide essential resources, concerns were raised about fragmentation, insufficient funding, and a lack of long-term predictability, particularly for civil society actors. Participants called for better alignment between financial tools and political priorities, stronger conditionality linked to rule of law and democratic standards and sustained investment in independent media, electoral integrity and civic space.
The “battle of narratives” was another key theme. Participants warned that authoritarian actors are increasingly effective in shaping global discourse through disinformation, strategic communication, and coordinated influence operations. By contrast, the EU’s narrative on democracy was seen as overly defensive and less compelling internationally. A strong call emerged for a more proactive, positive, and inclusive narrative which presents democracy as a universal aspiration and connects it to citizens’ everyday concerns. Addressing perceived double standards and ensuring greater consistency in external action were also identified as essential to maintain the EU’s credibility.
Democratic resilience in the digital age was also a major focus, particularly in enlargement and neighbourhood countries. Digital platforms were described as both a risk and an opportunity. While disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and AI-generated content pose growing threats to electoral integrity and public trust, digital tools can also enhance citizen engagement and accountability. Experiences in partner countries, such as Moldova, underscored how fragile media ecosystems, foreign influence and declining funding exacerbate societal vulnerabilities. In this context, civil society organisations in Moldova play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s security and democratic resilience by addressing disinformation and FIMI through independent analysis and expertise, particularly during election periods. Their work supports public institutions, engages local communities and reinforces independent media, while also helping to communicate the tangible benefits of EU integration to citizens.
Finally, participants stressed the need for a more structured and strategic approach to bringing together democracy supporters across institutions and regions. This includes enhancing coordination among EU institutions, Member States and international partners, and mainstreaming democracy support across all policy areas.
