PROMOTING DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP ONLINE:
Challenges and New Directions in Civic Education
Who are we?
We are an international team of academic researchers who have conducted numerous experiments on the impact of online adult citizenship education on democratic citizenship in over 30 countries worldwide, including extensive research in Turkey.
The project DEMED ("Democracy Under Threat: How Education can Save it") is funded by the ERC and led by Professor Anja Neundorf (University of Glasgow).
Policy Brief and Policy Recommendations
In this policy brief, we summarise our research and include a series of policy recommendations based on our findings.
(i) Reclaim digital platforms for democracy
Authoritarian and populist actors dominate online spaces. Pro-democracy educators and institutions must actively re-enter them with credible, creative, and emotionally engaging content.
(ii) Invest in civic education, especially online
Digital civic education is one of the most cost-effective tools for strengthening democratic resilience, particularly among young and politically disengaged citizens.
(iii) Protect paid civic content
Regulations on political advertising should distinguish between manipulative campaigning and non-partisan, pro-democratic education.
(iv) Keep messages positive and hopeful
Fear-based appeals reinforce division. Hope and pride in democracy’s achievements inspire learning and engagement.
(v) Focus on liberal-democratic principles
Teaching about rights, institutions and pluralism has more lasting effects than emphasising material benefits or national pride.
DEMED Policy Brief. Lecture slides - Professor Neundorf
2025/10/14: Brussels Democracy Dialogue 2025 | “Rethinking (social) democracy: where can we find a new democratic vision?”
On 14 October 2025, Professor Neundorf participated in the Brussels Democracy Dialogue 2025, a high-level gathering organised by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung that brought together experts from politics, academia, trade unions, and civil society to reflect on how we can revitalise European democracy in a moment of profound challenge. Read more about the event here: https://brussels.fes.de/e/brussels-democracy-dialogue-2025.html#
Professor Neundorf's session — “Rethinking (social) democracy: where can we find a new democratic vision?” — explored how pro-democracy actors can respond to rising illiberalism, democratic backsliding and the growing appetite for systemic disruption.
In her contribution, Professor Neundorf argued that any renewal of democracy must start with something fundamental: democratic learning. Across democracies, civic knowledge is declining at the very moment democratic norms are coming under pressure. Autocratic actors and far-right movements have mastered digital spaces to spread disinformation and fear — and they often claim the language of “democracy” while undermining its core principles.
If we want to defend and revitalise a pluralistic, liberal democracy, we must:
• Rebuild civic education in schools
• Reach adults where they now learn — especially online
• Use digital tools as effectively as anti-democratic movements do
• Strengthen transnational cooperation among pro-democratic actors
2025/09/22-23: Workshop: "Contesting the Far Right, Safeguarding Democracy” at the CEU Democracy Institute in Budapest
Professor Neundorf participated in the Workshop: "Contesting the Far Right, Safeguarding Democracy” at the CEU Democracy Institute in Budapest, 22-23 Sep 2025, funded by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Read more about the event here: DRD Workgroup Holds Workshop on Countering Far Right Influence | CEU Democracy Institute
2025/09/02-03: NECE – Networking European Civic Education, Europe | Festival in Oslo
On 3 Sep 2025, Professor Neundorf presented research on the role of online civic education in strengthening democracy at the NECE Festival in Oslo. The Network for European Civic Education (NECE) brings together activists, NGOs, educators, and practitioners who are doing inspiring work on the ground. More information on the event can be found here: https://nece.eu/nece-festival/hope/
2025/04/29 NECE Campus Session: Amplifying Digital Activism in Civic Education
On 29 April 2025, Professor Neundorf presented her research at the NECE Campus Session: Amplifying Digital Activism in Civic Education. Drawing on experimental data from 33 countries, she showed that short animated videos on social media can effectively strengthen democratic attitudes and behaviors. The study found consistent positive effects across diverse political contexts, including higher democratic support, greater political engagement, and reduced polarisation. The link to the event can be found [here], and the link for the recording can be found here.
2025/04/25: Lecture at the “Center for New Ideas”
On 25 April 2025, Professor Neundorf delivered an invited lecture to the Center for New Ideas, a Belarusian think tank currently based in Poland and supported by International IDEA.
2025/04/01 UK Ministry Internal Academic Seminar | Civic Education and Democratic Attitudes
On 1 April 2025 Professor Neundorf presented research on the impact of school and adult civic education on democratic attitudes and political engagement to 50 civil servants from the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and Department for Education in their internal academic seminar series.
2024/09/27 DEMED workshop with democracy promotion practitioners in Istanbul "Promoting Democratic Citizenship Online"
On 27th September 2024, we brought together about 30 representatives of civil society organizations, international donors, and academics to exchange ideas, experiences, and new strategies for conducting civic education online in these challenging times for democracy around the globe.
Workshop in Istanbul (Programme)
Slides of Professor Neundorf giving an overview of the DEMED research findings and policy recommendations.