Barcelona among 13 finalists to become European Capital of Democracy
Thirteen cities from across Europe have joined a network of pioneering cities for democracy. The European Capital of Democracy Cities Network, which has just held its first meeting in Vienna, aims to share knowledge on democracy and promote best practices at the municipal level.
The European Capital of Democracy Cities Network brings together democracy and participation experts from Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Bologna (Italy), Braga (Portugal), Brussels (Belgium), Burgos (Spain), Cascais (Portugal), Linz (Austria), Metz (France), Opole (Poland), Rzeszow (Poland), Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and Valongo (Portugal) and have been selected for their championing of democratic innovation, cohesion, partnership opportunities and citizen participation.
The member cities are competing to become the first European Capital of Democracy, which will be elected by 10,000 citizens from all Council of Europe member states. Applications are still open for citizens from all Council of Europe member states to give their opinion and join the Citizens’ Jury.
All participants will benefit from training, shared learning, field trips and exchange of best practices with the aim of working together to create democratic impact in their communities and in cities across Europe.
The European Capital of Democracy initiative was launched by ECoD gemeinnützige GmbH together with The Innovation in Politics Institute GmbH, based in Vienna and Berlin and with representations in 16 European countries.