EU Council backs conclusions on democratic participation and resilience
Council of the EU adopted conclusions on inclusive democratic participation and societal resilience, following the Commission's European Democracy Shield.
The story in focus
The Council of the EU adopted conclusions on 13 October 2026 aimed at strengthening democratic resilience by encouraging inclusive citizen participation and civil society engagement. The text follows the Commission's November 2025 European Democracy Shield and asks the Commission to ensure appropriate follow-up.
- The conclusions were adopted at the initiative of the Irish presidency.
- They call for more inclusive and transparent decision-making and stronger public trust in democratic institutions.
- The Council asks the Commission to ensure follow-up work does not duplicate national participation authorities.
What the Council adopted
The Council of the EU approved conclusions on strengthening democratic resilience across the EU, according to a press release dated 13 October 2026. The text was adopted at the initiative of the Irish presidency and centres on inclusive citizen participation in democratic life and support for civil society engagement.
The conclusions call for more inclusive and transparent decision-making, stronger public trust in democratic institutions and closer EU-level cooperation to address citizens' disengagement. They also acknowledge that public trust is essential to resilient democracies.
Content and follow-up
The conclusions stress the European dimension of inclusive participation and outline the value of a framework for meaningful, inclusive and transparent public consultations and citizen involvement in policymaking. They also highlight the contribution of an independent, diverse and resilient civil society to democratic checks and balances.
The text follows the Commission's communication on a European Democracy Shield of November 2025 and addresses its third pillar on boosting societal resilience and citizens' engagement. The Council calls on the Commission to ensure appropriate follow-up, with the European Centre for Democratic Resilience complementing rather than duplicating the network of national authorities on citizens' participation.
Background
The Commission presented the European Democracy Shield on 12 November 2025, structured around safeguarding the information space, strengthening democratic institutions and media, and boosting societal resilience and engagement. In June 2026 the Cyprus presidency presented a report on implementing the shield.
What does the Council ask the Commission to do next?
The Council calls on the Commission to ensure appropriate follow-up to the European Democracy Shield, with the European Centre for Democratic Resilience complementing, not duplicating, the network of national authorities on citizens' participation.
Sources & further reading
- Council approves conclusions on inclusive democratic participation, and societal and community resilience ↗consilium.europa.eu
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