Democracy is built on trust: in institutions, in information and between citizens. Yet disinformation, polarisation and foreign interference are undermining it. Discover how science can take action to help rebuild trust in our democracy.
Why does democracy need science?
Source: Eurobarometer, November 2025
As trust in institutions declines, science provides the tools, evidence and solutions to:
- Expose disinformation tactics and deepfakes
- Promote transparency by tracking foreign interference and auditing algorithms
- Ensure accountability through evidence-informed policies and open data for public scrutiny
How researchers can take action
The EU supports scientific freedom. Researchers, communicators and data scientists can actively defend our democracy by:
- Detecting and debunking false narratives
- Informing policies that protect elections and public debate
- Bridging polarised discussions with clear science communication
- Involving local citizens in research from the onset
Here’s how you can take action:
Disinformation spreads where data and facts have blind spots. Researchers can expose manipulation, track hate speech and predict threats before they spread.
Here is how you can contribute:
- Test HYBRIDS’ AI models to detect hate speech, disinformation and polarisation in multilingual datasets
- Use vera.ai’s fact-checking resources to analyse and debunk disinformation
- Explore EMOD’s e-learning platform to identify and counter foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)
- Access the European Digital Media Observatory’s scientific publications and training
- Read EU-HYBNET's case study on Russian disinformation and foreign interference through manipulated history-based narratives
EU policies – such as the Digital Services Act and Democracy Shield – rely on research to succeed. By sharing your research results with policymakers, you can help ensure future laws are evidence-informed and better for society.
Here is how you can contribute:
- Learn how to write policy briefs and submit your findings to EU consultations on disinformation, election integrity, digital rights and more
- Join the Knowledge4Policy platform to share evidence and inform policymakers across Europe
- Access data from large online platforms and search engines to investigate systemic risks and advocate for transparency
- Check out the European Commission’s ideas to improve communication between policymakers and scientists
Clear communication builds trust. Here is how you can make your research more accessible:
- Join COALESCE’s European SciComm Centre for training and collaboration
- Visit DEMOCRAT’s Resource Hub for Blogs, videos and case studies on the impact of Education for Democracy (EfD)
- Turn complex findings into engaging content such as videos or infographics
- Use storytelling to engage with polarised and diverse audiences
Democracy thrives on pluralism, and so does science. You can collaborate with citizens to:
- Co-design research solutions
- Tackle local challenges like energy poverty and cultural heritage preservation
- Join the New European Bauhausto design democratic and sustainable public spaces
Here are some examples of citizen science in action:
- The European Citizen Science Platform creates a strong community for societal change in Europe
- The Science Comes to Town initiative organises science festivals, competitions and events in three European cities to enhance science engagement for all citizens
- The PREFIGURE project co-designs solutions with residents to reduce energy and housing poverty
Discover 10 projects – part of the New European Bauhaus United for a Living Environment cluster (NEBULE) – that show how researchers, citizens and local institutions can create community-led innovation.
Horizon Europe funding opportunities
Horizon Europe funds your research to strengthen, protect and innovate democracy. Explore tailored opportunities for you below.
Funding for individual researchers
Apply through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for funding in areas like disinformation, participatory governance and democratic innovation.
Social sciences and humanities
Explore Horizon Europe ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ for funds on democratic resilience, media literacy or AI solutions to detect fake news and foster social cohesion.
Researchers and practitioners in civil security
Funding under Horizon Europe ‘Civil Security for Society’ addresses hybrid threats, critical infrastructure protection and defence against foreign interference.
Reforming the European Research Area
Apply through the Horizon Europe Reforming and Enhancing the European Research and Innovation System sub-programme to advance gender equality, ethics, integrity and open science in research and innovation.
Get involved
Ready to take action? Then use the tools and apply to the funding opportunities listed above to strengthen democracy through science. Below, you can also find some additional resources to expand your knowledge on the subject.
Don’t forget to share your work with us by using #ScienceForDemocracy on LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, or Mastodon!