As democratic institutions strain under polarization, populism, and civic fatigue, the Council of Europe (CoE) is funding real, on-the-ground action. Through a €40,000 grant, the CoE is backing BRIDGE to the CoE – Building Resilience and Independence for Democratic Governance and Engagement, a project led by ALDA (the European Association for Local Democracy). The project is one of three winners to the call for projects launched in December 2024 aimed at enhancing the mutual engagement between the Council of Europe and civil society organisations and raising awareness of the Council of Europe and its work to strengthen democracy. The objective of the BRIDGE to the CoE-project is to contribute to the halting of democratic backsliding and to the improvement of democratic governance through enhanced civil society engagement.

What does this BRIDGE to the CoE look like in practice?
ALDA’s approach combines awareness-raising, dialogue, and skill-building. In July 2025, the organization hosted a one-day hybrid workshop in Vicenza, Italy to train civil society groups, academics and local governments on how to engage with the Council of Europe’s democratic tools and processes. Participants explored practical ways to apply CoE standards, such as the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy, and to strengthen participatory democracy at home. In October ALDA’s teams organised a major conference in Moldova, gathering 50 civil society leaders from Ukraine and Moldova to exchange exchange on the promotion and protection of civic space including during times of crisis and to learn about Council of Europe’s guidelines, tools and frameworks on civil participation in political decision-making.

How will this go beyond events and talk?
To ensure that knowledge and momentum ripple outward, the project features a comprehensive communication strategy across Europe. This includes a new ALDA Talk webinar and a dedicated podcast series linking theory to practice, with stories from the field on how civil society keeps democracy alive under pressure. Each activity will ensure tangible outcomes: stronger civic capacity, better connections with the Council of Europe, and new partnerships across borders.

Why focus on Eastern and Southern Europe?
Because these regions include countries that represent both new and long-established democracies where it is still necessary to strengthen citizens' engagement to improve democratic resilience and stop its backsliding. In Moldova and Ukraine, civil society continues to push forward despite war, disinformation, and political division. In Italy and other Southern states, NGOs face shrinking civic space, particularly those defending migrants and marginalized groups. By connecting these experiences, BRIDGE to the CoE aims to create a shared front for democratic renewal where lessons from the East can inspire the South, and vice versa.

As democratic institutions strain under polarization, populism, and civic fatigue, the Council of Europe (CoE) is funding real, on-the-ground action. Through a €40,000 grant, the CoE is backing BRIDGE to the CoE – Building Resilience and Independence for Democratic Governance and Engagement, a project led by ALDA (the European Association for Local Democracy). The project is one of three winners to the call for projects launched in December 2024 aimed at enhancing the mutual engagement between the Council of Europe and civil society organisations and raising awareness of the Council of Europe and its work to strengthen democracy. The objective of the BRIDGE to the CoE-project is to contribute to the halting of democratic backsliding and to the improvement of democratic governance through enhanced civil society engagement.

What does this BRIDGE to the CoE look like in practice?
ALDA’s approach combines awareness-raising, dialogue, and skill-building. In July 2025, the organization hosted a one-day hybrid workshop in Vicenza, Italy to train civil society groups, academics and local governments on how to engage with the Council of Europe’s democratic tools and processes. Participants explored practical ways to apply CoE standards, such as the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy, and to strengthen participatory democracy at home. In October ALDA’s teams organised a major conference in Moldova, gathering 50 civil society leaders from Ukraine and Moldova to exchange exchange on the promotion and protection of civic space including during times of crisis and to learn about Council of Europe’s guidelines, tools and frameworks on civil participation in political decision-making..

How will this go beyond events and talk?
To ensure that knowledge and momentum ripple outward, the project features a comprehensive communication strategy across Europe. This includes a new ALDA Talk webinar and a dedicated podcast series linking theory to practice, with stories from the field on how civil society keeps democracy alive under pressure. Each activity will ensure tangible outcomes: stronger civic capacity, better connections with the Council of Europe, and new partnerships across borders.

Why focus on Eastern and Southern Europe?
Because these regions include countries that represent both new and long-established democracies where it is still necessary to strengthen citizens' engagement to improve democratic resilience and stop its backsliding. In Moldova and Ukraine, civil society continues to push forward despite war, disinformation, and political division. In Italy and other Southern states, NGOs face shrinking civic space, particularly those defending migrants and marginalized groups. By connecting these experiences, BRIDGE to the CoE aims to create a shared front for democratic renewal where lessons from the East can inspire the South, and vice versa.

In the end, the BRIDGE to the CoE is more than a metaphor
It’s a network of events, campaigns, and collaborations designed to make democracy feel real and reachable again. With support from the Council of Europe, ALDA is showing that in an era of growing disillusionment, it is engaged citizens - not institutions alone - who are keeping Europe’s democratic flame burning.