13 November 2023
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On 14 May, we organised a discussion with EPP MEP Janusz Lewandowski at the European Parliament, alongside Joanna Rohozińska (Carnegie Endowment’s Partnership for Countering Influence Operations), Alina Inayeh (Visegrad Insight Fellow) and Heather Grabbe (Bruegel), among many other thought leaders to highlight the urgent need to support the civil society in Central Europe, drawing on the insights from Visegrad Insight’s recent report Shielding European Democracy.
Photos: Stavros Tzovaras
We wrapped up our EU Values Foresight workshop in Kraków, Poland, where we worked on how to sustainably fund civil society and combat disinformation more effectively. We will now turn to helping shape EU policies through recommendations and related policy briefs, which will focus on key legislation, namely– the European Democracy Shield, the Multiannual Financial Framework and the future of the CERV programme. From media to civil society and funding experts, we brought together voices across sectors to help reinforce democracy where it’s needed most.
Photos by Michał Kisiel
From 22 to 24 April, we convened Central and Eastern European leaders in the Slovak countryside, for a three-day foresight workshop on the future of democratic security in the European Union.
Our focus was on two main policy areas: how the EU can more effectively combat disinformation and fund civil society. These conversations were particularly timely following the withdrawal of USAID support from parts of the region, which has left gaps in funding and strategic capacity for many grassroots initiatives.
Please find below a selection of images from the event. Photos by Jakub Kovalik
During the public discussion at the Martin’s Hotel we held an interactive forum with participants featuring Ionela Maria Ciolan, Martens Centre, Rasťo Kužel, Memo 98 and Magda Jakubowska, Res Publica Foundation. Shielding European Democracy policy report maps out scenarios for democratic security in Europe and proposes three recommendations outlined in three accompanying briefs: Foster societal readiness for EU armies, A Shield for CSOs – Countering Malign Foreign and Domestic Actors and Boost CERV funding in at-risk democracies. The discussion addressed the urgent need for a strategic approach to tackling foreign and domestic interference. Topics included calls for greater transparency, such as audits of external influences like Chinese financial activities in EU member states, and pathways to creating a resilient defence against these challenges.
Photos by Jennifer Jacquemart
The event was organised to deliberate on recommendations of Visegrad Insight – Res Publica Foundation’s newest report Shielding European Democracy: A 5-Year Foresight. Voices from Central Europe. The focus is on the preservation of European values, with a special emphasis on the European Democracy Shield and the Democracy Defence Package.
Further information about the report: https://visegradinsight.eu/eu-values-foresight/2024-shielding-european-democracy/
Critical discussions centred on how Europe can effectively shape its defence strategy while strengthening democratic security in tandem with military commitments.
Photos by Jennifer Jacquemart:
Participants shared insights on key issues, including: promoting a positive narrative on democracy: Civic activism, engagement, education and strategic communication were highlighted as crucial tools to counter anti-EU trends. Support for think tanks and capacity-building activities was also emphasised.
Participants called for greater transparency through audits of Chinese influence and financial liabilities in EU member states, alongside the development of a robust FIMI defence shield.
Photos by Hans Scherhaufer
9:00-10:30 Common Responsibility for CEE Security
Every citizen of the European Union (EU) shares the common responsibility of upholding the values and principles that the Union stands for. Today, this also means taking responsibility for the security and resilience of the Union. In these uncertain times, with the peace dividend in Central Europe no longer guaranteed, it is crucial for nations to contribute to EU defence in a coordinated and effective manner.
10:45-12:15 Can debunking myths enhance the Czech Republic’s resilience against misinformation?
Debunking entails the unfortunate aspect of potentially amplifying disinformation narratives if not done well. Can debunking myths around Russia’s war against Ukraine, migration and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict actually enhance the Czech Republic’s resilience against misinformation?
12:30-13:45 Engaging Civil Society: Navigating NGO Involvement and Funding in the New European Commission
This roundtable discussion explored the anticipated relationship between the new European Commission and civil society, focusing on two critical areas: NGO access to legislative processes and EU funding dynamics. Participants examined the mechanisms for NGO involvement in consultations and working groups, discussing how these opportunities can influence policy-making and legislative initiatives.
Each discussion was connected with a presentation of a policy paper by Visegrad Insight:
Find the photo story below, authored by Ondřej Besperát:
9:00-10:15 Engaging Civil Society: Navigating NGO Involvement and Funding in the New European Commission
10:30-11:45 Countering Misinformation in Slovakia: EU Strategies to Empower Independent Media and NGOs
12:00-13:15 Common Responsibility for CEE Security
Each discussion was connected with a presentation of a policy paper by Visegrad Insight:
Find the photo story below, authored by Martin Sirotny:
11:00-12:30 Common Responsibility for CEE Security
12:45-14:15 Engaging Civil Society: Navigating NGO Involvement and Funding in the New European Commission
12:45-14:15 Enhancing Strategic Communication and Funding Civil Society for a Resilient EU
Each discussion was connected with a presentation of a policy paper by Visegrad Insight:
Find the photo story below, authored by Peter Konaka-Kiss:
Participants from across the region and Europe gathered in Warsaw to examine the ongoing policy discussion defined in our FEVDS project and originally outlined in our report, “How European Democracies Are to Survive a New Trump Age”.
The FEVDS project aims to bolster the calibre of public discourse and expert-level deliberations regarding forthcoming policy trajectories within the European Union. By fostering synergistic partnerships among civil society stakeholders, it endeavours to fortify democratic resilience within the region. This initiative receives financial backing from the European Union.
The participants utilised their diverse pool of knowledge to pinpoint specific areas for development in EU policy, focusing on sectors such as defence, disinformation, governability and foreign interference. They identified areas with insufficient support and formulated possible policy solutions to address those shortcomings. The outcomes of these exercises will be summarized in a scenario-based report later in the year.
This is yet another round of expert workshops. See the report from the workshops held in Prague at the beginning of April 2024.
See the photo story below:
Participants from across the region and Europe gathered in Prague to examine the ongoing policy discussion defined in our FEVDS project and originally outlined in our report, “How European Democracies Are to Survive a New Trump Age“.
The participants utilised their diverse pool of knowledge to pinpoint specific areas for development in EU policy, focusing on sectors such as defence, disinformation, governability and foreign interference. They identified areas with insufficient support and formulated possible policy solutions to address those shortcomings. The outcomes of these exercises will be further developed in forthcoming workshops, as well as in a scenario-based report later in the year.
The FEVDS project aims to bolster the calibre of public discourse and expert-level deliberations regarding forthcoming policy trajectories within the European Union. By fostering synergistic partnerships among civil society stakeholders, it endeavours to fortify democratic resilience within the region. This initiative receives financial backing from the European Union.
See the photo story below
The speakers included Peter Balik (former Minister for Investments, Regional Development and Informatization), Alberto Alemanno (HEC Paris), Wojciech Przybylski (Visegrad Insight), and as a moderator Michaela Terenzani (The Slovak Spectator). See the photo story here.
The speakers included Edit Inotai (Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy), Beata Jaczewska (former Deputy Minister of the Environment), Liam Nolan (RTE) and Wojciech Przybylski (Visegrad Insight), see the photo story here.
A select group of experts, diplomats and journalists sat and discussed challenges for the next EU Agenda 2024-2029. Click here to see the photo story.
A select group of experts, diplomats and journalists from Prague meet during a roundtable discussion to address challenges for the EU Agenda 2024-2029. Click here to see the photo story.
The public debate included Martin Ehl (Hospodářské noviny), Marek Havrda (Ministry of European Affairs), Wojciech Przybylski (Visegrad Insight) and Olga Richterová (Czech Parliament) who drove the debate on Czech priorities in the forthcoming EU Agenda. Click here to see the photo story.
A select group of experts, diplomats and journalists sat and discussed challenges for the next EU Agenda 2024-2029. What lies ahead for the future of Europe? Click here to see the photo story.
Edit Inotai (Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy), Márta Pardavi (Hungarian Helsinki Committee) and Wojciech Przybylski (Visegrad Insight) discussed with participants what Hungary’s priorities will be in the next EU Agenda. Read more about the event and see the photo story here.
We organised a closed-door roundtable at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels. Read more about the event and see the photo story by clicking here.
The main focus was on future policies that the EU will consider regarding strengthening democratic security.
See our photo story and read more about the event by clicking here
25 participants from CEE countries created a strategic foresight plan to navigate future challenges and opportunities. They used a risk matrix to evaluate current trends and formed smaller groups to brainstorm potential scenarios. They developed actionable policy recommendations for the EU strategic agenda between 2024 and 2029. The outcome was a plan that provides insights and concrete actions for long-term development. This was a significant step towards a prosperous future for the CEE region, leaving participants with a sense of achievement and hope.
This workshop gathered policy experts, civil society and business leaders primarily from Central and Eastern Europe, to provide CEE perspectives on upcoming EU strategic plans and emphasise democratic security. The meeting was the first step in developing, analysing, and backcasting alternative futures for EU policies. Participants evaluated the drivers and triggers shaping the region’s future, debating the “most impactful and uncertain” outliers in three teams and began narrating possible scenarios.
Workshop 1 photos by: Tomasz Golla
Workshop 2 photos by: Peter Konaka-Kiss, D1 Stúdió
Navigate to:
EU Values Foresight Homepage
Shielding European Democracy – 2024 Report
How European Democracies Are to Survive a New Trump Age – 2023 Report
Horizon Scanning