2025 Democracy Briefer for Funders: What’s Happening to European Democracy and What Funders Can Do About It

It’s a critical time for European democracy, and the stakes are high. The Democracy Briefer for Funders takes an in-depth look at the key indicators of democratic backsliding and root causes driving it, drawing on a wide body of evidence from published research to offer insights into the current state of democracy and opportunities to seize.

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Overview

The concept of democratic backsliding has sparked heated debates across the global stage. Is it a serious threat, or is it more of a perceived danger? If it is a real phenomenon, what evidence supports its existence and what does this say about its severity? Are some regions more vulnerable, or is no nation truly immune to it? What can philanthropy do to address this issue?

This in-depth explainer explores the subtle nature of democratic backsliding and its causes, to provide a comprehensive understanding of this complex issue, enabling philanthropic organisations to develop appropriate strategies that address the multidimensional challenges democratic backsliding presents. The political developments, both in Europe and globally, highlight not only the challenges but also the opportunities to strengthen and revitalise democratic governance. As Europe faces shifts in its political landscape, there is a growing recognition of the importance of safeguarding democratic values and institutions.

Key takeaways

While polarisation and populism often demand immediate attention, it is essential to examine and address the deeper, underlying causes. Critical needs like affordable healthcare and housing were left underfunded while the cost of living soared. This neglect has widened socio-economic gaps, deepening the sentiment that our current democracy does not treat everyone as equals.

Even when democratic backsliding doesn’t lead to dictatorship, it significantly erodes the quality and stability of democratic governance. Early identification and response to threats are crucial: The deeper the erosion, the harder it is to recover.

Philanthropy alone cannot reverse democratic backsliding, but it can catalyse change. The potential for impact is at an all-time high. There is a rich ecosystem of movements and organisations out there ready to ramp up their efforts in defending and innovating democracy and there are numerous tried and tested methods waiting to be leveraged.

Scaling up Democracy Funding Across Europe – Inspiration Deck for Funders

This inspiration deck for donors condenses the rationale, background and options for funding democracy into a concise yet solid pitch. It serves as a guide for new donors, a conversation companion for democracy funders championing their field to peers, and a strong case towards foundation boards to join this movement.​

Background

This briefer and inspiration deck were commissioned by the Democracy Network, a community of foundations working in the field of democracy seeking to facilitate collaborative actions around the topic of defending versus developing democracy.

Contact

Nils Luyten
Programme Manager – Democracy Collaborations
nils.luyten@philea.eu