05 May 2025
As we launch the INTERFACED project—Interfaces for Democratic Participation: Deliberation, Mobilization and Contestation Since the Onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic—we do so at a pivotal time for democracy in Europe and beyond. Over the past few years, Europe has experienced a mix of optimism and uncertainty about the future of democracy. The Covid-19 pandemic brought about not just a public health crisis but also new questions about how citizens relate to politics and to each other. Many people have become more skeptical of institutions and experts, while social divisions and inequalities have become more visible. At the same time, we have seen creative new ways for people to get involved in public life, from digital activism to grassroots campaigns and local initiatives.
In INTERFACED, we want to make sense of these changes. Our project brings together researchers from eight European countries and Tunisia to study how people participate in politics today, and how those patterns have shifted since the pandemic. We are especially interested in what we call the “interfaces” of democracy—the arenas and processes through which citizens and institutions meet, paying particular attention to those activities that take place beyond election cycles, such as protests, community engagement, and political discussions online and offline. By looking at these interfaces, we want to understand not just who participates, but also how, why, and with what results.
The context for this research is shaped by both local and global trends. In Europe, there is a lively debate about the resilience and future of democracy. Some of the challenges are homegrown, but others come from outside. Major geopolitical players have made headlines for their efforts to influence European public opinion and politics, often by spreading disinformation or supporting political actors that challenge some of the pillars upon which European democracies have been built. These external pressures add another layer to the ongoing conversation about how to reinforce European democracies that are open, inclusive, and robust.
Rather than focusing only on threats, INTERFACED is also about possibilities. We see this moment as an opportunity to learn from the ways people are already experimenting with new forms of participation. Our research will use a range of methods—surveys, experiments, interviews, computational or media content analysis, etc.—to build a comprehensive picture of democratic engagement across different countries and social groups. We are particularly committed to understanding the experiences of people who are less likely to be heard in traditional political arenas, such as young people, rural communities, social minorities, and those facing economic hardship.
By the end of the project, we aim to provide clear, evidence-based insights into how democratic participation is changing and what can be done to support it. This will include practical recommendations for policymakers and civil society organizations on how to reduce barriers to engagement, foster trust, and make sure that everyone has a real chance to have their voice heard. We plan to share our data and findings as widely as possible, so that others can build on our work and continue the conversation.
In short, INTERFACED is about understanding and strengthening the everyday practice of democracy. We believe that by studying how people connect with institutions—and with each other—we can help build a more inclusive and resilient democratic culture, even in the face of today’s challenges. We look forward to sharing our journey and results with you here, and we invite you to join the discussion as the project unfolds.
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