Nordic Council of Ministers launches new initiative to strengthen democratic participation
Democracy faces challenges – new approaches are needed
The initiative is a response to the changing context for democracy in the Nordic Region.
“The Nordic Council of Ministers wants to strengthen democracy across the Nordic Region. That’s why it’s important for us to gain an overview of specific models for participation and engagement. These can serve as inspiration for bolstering the influence of Nordic citizens in democratic decision-making processes,” says Torleif Jonasson, project manager for the Nordic Council of Ministers’ democracy initiative..
There are already several initiatives across the Nordic Region that are helping to develop new forms of participation, ranging from citizen panels to digital dialogue platforms. These will be mapped and analysed as part of the project. The work will culminate in a report providing a comprehensive overview of the models, methods, and tools used across the Nordic countries. The findings will then serve as a basis for developing and promoting effective Nordic approaches to strengthening democratic participation.
Young people as co-creators
Children and young people also play a central role in the project and should not be regarded merely as a target group, but as active co-creators. The call for proposals emphasises that the project must integrate a children’s rights and youth perspective throughout all aspects of the work, and that young people should be given meaningful influence and an active role as co-creators.
The project seeks to enhance Nordic citizens’ opportunities to participate in democratic processes and to strengthen their understanding of democratic participation, as well as their ability to influence the decisions that affect them. By highlighting Nordic experiences and fostering co-operation across several countries, the initiative also seeks to establish sustainable structures for participation at the Nordic level.
The call is open to organisations throughout the Nordic Region and has a total funding allocation of DKK 950,000. The application deadline is 12 August 2026.
