A new push for European democracyNurturing, protecting and strengthening our democracy About Democracy on the European continent is under attack. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a war against democracy itself. Our democracy cannot be taken for granted. It must be nurtured and taken care of every day. This is what the von der Leyen Commission has strived for since the start of its mandate.Europe’s strength lies in its unity, and this unity is based on our shared democratic values: our commitment to fundamental human rights; the protection of a free and independent press; upholding the rule of law; and equality between women and men, rural and urban, young and old.Democracies must be worked on and renewed every single day, and this requires citizens to be empowered to speak up. The Conference on the Future of Europe, which concluded on 9 May 2022, has empowered citizens to shape the future of our European Union. The Commission has listened, and is now focused on delivering on their proposals. Key figures from the Conference on the Future of Europe 49proposalsMore than 750 000participantsMore than 6 500events organised all around Europe What we are working on European citizens' panelsEuropean citizens participating in transnational panels to make recommendations to the EU on key issuesConference on the Future of EuropeEmpowering citizens to share ideas and help shape our common futureEquality and inclusionBuilding a Union of Equality, free of discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientationThe EU Strategy on the Rights of the ChildEnsuring the protection of rights of all childrenProtecting democracyPromoting free and fair elections, strengthening media freedom and countering disinformationRule of Law MechanismPromoting the rule of law, and preventing and mitigating emerging challengesEuropean Media Freedom ActProtecting media pluralism and independence in the EULong-term vision for rural areasDeveloping stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas and communities Timeline 6-9 June 20242024 European elections take place7 May 2024The Council adopts two directives to strengthen the role of equality bodies across the EU7 May 2024Entry into force of the European Media Freedom Act6 May 2024New rules against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) start to apply24 April 2024The Parliament approves first ever EU rules on combating violence against women9 April 2024EU approves new rules on improving the transparency of political advertising in elections8 February 2024 Political agreement on the European Disability and Parking Cards6 February 2024 Political agreement on new rules to combat violence against women and domestic violence24 January 2024Political agreement on the European Media Freedom Act24 January 2024Reinforced guidance on ethical standards for Members of the Commission who take part in electoral campaigns for European and national elections12 December 2023Defence of democracy: The Commission proposes to shed light on covert foreign influence30 November 2023Political agreement on countering abusive lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP)7 November 2023Political agreement on transparency of political advertising regulation11 October 2023The Commission adopts a Communication presenting a set of policy tools available to Member States for managing demographic change in the EU12 July 2023The Commission proposes an initiative to strengthen the rights of victims of crime6 July 2023The Commission presents the 2023 Strategic Foresight Report5 July 2023The Commission publishes its fourth annual Rule of Law Report8 June 2023The Commission adopts a proposal for the creation of an interinstitutional Ethics Body.31 May 2023Commission proposes new rules aimed at enhancing the rights of individuals in need of legal support or protection in cross-border situations3 May 2023Anti-corruption: Stronger rules to fight corruption in the EU and worldwide5 April 2023The Commission adopts a proposal for a Regulation on the transfer of criminal proceedings between Member States7 March 2023The European Parliament and the Member States reach a political agreement on the European Year of Skills17 January 2023 Commission announces plans to ensure talent is nourished and launches the ‘Talent Booster Mechanism'.16 December 2022First European Citizens' Panel as a follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe7 December 2022Proposal to facilitate the recognition of parenthood between Member States12 October 2022Commission kick-starts work on the European Year of Skills19 September 2022Commission celebrates 35 years of the Erasmus programme16 September 2022European Media Freedom Act13 July 20222022 Rule of law report21 June 2022 The Commission presents the 2022 Strategic Foresight Report16 June 2022A New Code of Practice on Disinformation is agreed9 May 2022The Conference on the Future of Europe concludes its work28 April 2022European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award27 April 2022The Commission proposes an EU law and a recommendation to tackle abusive lawsuits against journalists and human rights defenders8 March 2022EU-wide rules to combat violence against women and domestic violence1 January 2022The European Year of Youth starts9 December 2021EU crimes to include hate speech and hate crime25 November 2021Proposal on transparency and targeting of political advertising16 September 2021Recommendation on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists8 September 2021 The Commission presents the 2021 Strategic Foresight Report20 July 20212021 Rule of law report30 June 2021Long-term vision for rural areas17 June 2021First EU citizens’ event took place in Portugal9 May 2021Inaugural event of the Conference on the Future of Europe29 April 2021Communication on Better Regulation24 March 2021EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child10 March 2021Joint Declaration on the Conference on the Future of Europe4 March 2021Proposal on pay transparency3 March 2021Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities27 January 2021Green Paper on Ageing15 December 2020Political agreement to strengthen transparent and ethical interest representation3 December 2020European Democracy Action Plan2 December 2020New Strategy to strengthen the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the EU13 November 2020New Consumer Agenda12 November 2020EU strategy for LGBTIQ equality7 October 2020EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation30 September 20202020 Rule of law report18 September 2020EU Anti-racism Action Plan9 September 20202020 Strategic Foresight Report17 June 2020Report on the Impact of Demographic Change24 June 2020EU Strategy on victims’ rights24 June 2020Report on the General Data Protection RegulationShow 58 more items5 March 2020European Gender Equality Strategy Featured Youth voices for the future of the EU budgetYouth voices for the future of the EU budgetThe European Citizens’ Initiative: Your right as an EU citizen The European Citizens’ Initiative: Your right as an EU citizen Close Latest 1 November 2024Joint statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and Vice-President Věra Jourová on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists21 June 2024Strengthening European democracy and upholding the rule of law15 December 2023Commission welcomes political agreement on European Media Freedom Act12 December 2023Defence of DemocracySee all Follow the latest news and get involvedEU JusticeErasmus+Erasmus+Other social networks Policy areasDemographyLooking at the main drivers of demographic change and their impact across EuropeCombatting discriminationTackling racism, xenophobia and discrimination on the grounds of age, sexual orientation and gender identityCountering disinformationDetecting, analysing and exposing disinformationCombatting hate speech and hate crime Building a more inclusive and protective EuropeHave your say on Commission initiativesShare your views as citizens and businesses on new EU policies and existing laws
Democracy on the European continent is under attack. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a war against democracy itself. Our democracy cannot be taken for granted. It must be nurtured and taken care of every day. This is what the von der Leyen Commission has strived for since the start of its mandate.Europe’s strength lies in its unity, and this unity is based on our shared democratic values: our commitment to fundamental human rights; the protection of a free and independent press; upholding the rule of law; and equality between women and men, rural and urban, young and old.Democracies must be worked on and renewed every single day, and this requires citizens to be empowered to speak up. The Conference on the Future of Europe, which concluded on 9 May 2022, has empowered citizens to shape the future of our European Union. The Commission has listened, and is now focused on delivering on their proposals.
European citizens' panelsEuropean citizens participating in transnational panels to make recommendations to the EU on key issues
Conference on the Future of EuropeEmpowering citizens to share ideas and help shape our common future
Equality and inclusionBuilding a Union of Equality, free of discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation
Protecting democracyPromoting free and fair elections, strengthening media freedom and countering disinformation
Long-term vision for rural areasDeveloping stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas and communities
1 November 2024Joint statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and Vice-President Věra Jourová on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
Combatting discriminationTackling racism, xenophobia and discrimination on the grounds of age, sexual orientation and gender identity
Have your say on Commission initiativesShare your views as citizens and businesses on new EU policies and existing laws
