Strengthening democratic resilience in a changing Europe

26 November 2025

Debating Europe spoke at the launch of PHINEO’s report in Berlin on the threats shaping Europe’s democratic resilience: disinformation and discrimination. Both fuel polarisation, widen inequalities, and erode trust, all challenges that align closely with the issues our community of citizens discusses every day. 

In our contribution, we emphasised a third, often underestimated threat: Europe’s rapidly ageing population. By 2050, Europe will have significantly more pensioners and a smaller workforce to support them. Many young people already feel overburdened, underrepresented, and unsure about their future. When this pressure grows, trust in democratic processes erodes, making societies more vulnerable to division and manipulation.

These insights underpin the direction of the next phase of “Voices for Choices”, our flagship initiative exploring how demographic change is reshaping the social contract between generations. Through surveys, focus groups, and workshops, we aim to encourage more constructive conversations, rebuild trust, reduce polarisation, and inspire evidence-based policymaking.

As part of this effort, Debating Europe will engage over 2,000 young people from across the continent, transforming frustration into meaningful participation and helping policymakers access perspectives grounded in real lived experience.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.