ScaleDem themes were at the centre of discussions during EUIdeas, the research festival organised by the European University Institute (EUI), partner of the project, in Florence from 7 to 9 May 2026 as part of the Institute’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
During the event, a participatory roundtable on “Citizen Power Europe” explored how democratic innovations can grow beyond isolated experiments and generate broader societal impacts capable of countering democratic regression. The discussion focused on ways to strengthen active citizenship and support grassroots democratic initiatives, reflecting on how participation, civic education, public spaces and emerging digital tools can contribute to more inclusive democratic practices.
Among the ideas discussed were support for independent media, citizens’ assemblies, civic education from an early age, and the use of conversational AI tools to facilitate public dialogue and fact-checking.
The exchange closely reflected ScaleDem’s mission to explore how democratic innovations can be adapted, translated and scaled across different contexts through collaboration between researchers, practitioners and civil society actors.
Credits: European University Institute