Defending European Democracy across Governance Levels

Democracy in Europe faces growing threats, from disinformation and external interference to political polarisation and declining citizen trust in institutions. Addressing these challenges requires cooperation across governance levels, ensuring that regional and local actors play a stronger role in reinforcing democratic resilience. This session will explore: • Disinformation threats and the role of local actors in promoting media literacy; • Bridging the gap between citizens and institutions through inclusive decision making; • Local measures to uphold rights and protect vulnerable groups; • Multilevel cooperation for democratic renewal and citizens’ trust.