GLOBSEC’s Vision for a Stronger European Democracy Shield is a comprehensive policy submission to the European Commission’s open consultation on the future of the European Democracy Shield (EUDS), offering concrete recommendations to enhance democratic resilience across the EU and its Neighbourhood. Drawing on years of research and practice in countering hybrid threats and building societal preparedness, the paper outlines how the EU can transition from fragmented efforts to a coherent and actionable model of democratic defence.
The paper responds to the growing challenge of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), electoral manipulation, and civil society pressure by proposing a multi-pillar approach centred on monitoring, early warning, civic empowerment, and systemic data access. GLOBSEC recommends the establishment of EU-wide resilience baselines, similar to the European Semester model, to benchmark Member States’ preparedness levels and track their progress. It further advocates for expanding monitoring to include domestic proxies in foreign influence operations and recommends the creation of interdisciplinary election protection groups, particularly in vulnerable countries.
To strengthen accountability and transparency in the digital space, GLOBSEC highlights the critical shortfalls in researchers’ access to platform data under Article 40 of the Digital Services Act (DSA). It proposes systemic reforms to streamline access for vetted institutions, ensure the continuity of tools like CrowdTangle, and mandate data-sharing commitments in EU-funded projects. These measures are essential to support independent research into platform risks and disinformation campaigns.
The paper also warns of an escalating crisis in civil society funding. While the EU increasingly relies on CSOs for frontline democratic defence, many organisations face precarious financial conditions due to short-term grants, co-financing barriers, and shrinking international donor support. GLOBSEC urges the EU to reform and expand core operating grant schemes, reduce administrative burdens, and strengthen safeguards against regulatory harassment and political attacks on civic actors.
Addressing knowledge fragmentation, the paper calls for a strategic shift from constant innovation to scaling existing, effective democratic tools. It recommends mainstreaming replication of tested projects across EU funding streams and developing an EU-level civic education curriculum guide to support CSO-led grassroots outreach.
Lastly, the report argues that the EUDS must go beyond EU borders to address vulnerabilities in candidate and Neighbourhood countries. It proposes mechanisms for proactive inclusion, such as incorporating resilience benchmarks into enlargement assessments, engaging civil society and experts from these countries in working groups, and supporting electoral integrity initiatives ahead of national votes.
Read the full Policy Brief.
Authors: Jana Kazaz, Vladislava Gubalova, Dominika Hajdu
