EU Council approves conclusions on democratic participation and societal resilience

The Council has approved conclusions on inclusive democratic participation and societal and community resilience, acting at the initiative of the Irish presidency. The text is framed as a follow-up to the Commission's communication on a European Democracy Shield and focuses on strengthening democratic resilience across the EU.

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The conclusions call for more inclusive and transparent decision-making, stronger public trust in democratic institutions, and closer cooperation at EU level to tackle citizens' disengagement. They also emphasize support for civil society engagement and cite the need to protect democracy as central to the Union.

The Council urges the Commission to ensure proper follow-up to the European Democracy Shield, including work on the European Centre for Democratic Resilience. The text says that center should complement, and not duplicate, the work of the network of national authorities on citizens' participation.

The Commission presented the Democracy Shield communication on 12 November 2025, and the Cyprus presidency later presented a report in June 2026 on strengthening Europe's democratic resilience and implementing the Shield.

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