Defend Democracy
Budget
€40,773
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
1
0.25 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
Defend Democracy works to strengthen and defend democracy against foreign, domestic and technological threats. We work at the intersection of democracy, security and technology. We operate on the frontline: building awareness, shaping advocacy and taking action. We are independent and nonpartisan. In particular, we contribute to greater societal preparedness and resilience against hybrid threats to democracy. Our current projects range from convening high-level democracy stakeholders, to advocating for tech sovereignty and the regulation of Big Tech, to community and capacity building for democracy defenders.
EU Legislative Interests
European Democracy Shield and related policies (EC); European Preparedness Union and related policies (EC); Defence of Democracy and related policies (EC); European Democracy Action Plan and related policies (EC); EU Security Union Strategy and related policies (EC); EU Digital Strategy and related policies (EC); EU Digital Fairness Act and related policies (EC); EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights (EP)
Communication Activities
The latest information about our activities can always be found here: * projects: https://defenddemocracy.eu/projects/ * news: https://defenddemocracy.eu/news/ * current affairs: @DefendDemocracy on BlueSky Current projects: * Coalition for Democratic Resilience: To help build civil preparedness and societal resilience against hybrid threats and other challenges, Defend Democracy brings together transatlantic governments and civil society through the Coalition for Democratic Resilience (C4DR). More information: https://defenddemocracy.eu/projects/coalition-for-democratic-resilience-c4dr/ * #DemocracyDrinks: informal networking and resilience-building events for democracy defenders (advocates, thinkers and enthusiasts) and for everyone who cares about democracy, fundamental freedoms, values and rights. More information: https://defenddemocracy.eu/projects/democracy-drinks/ * Transatlantic Democracy Dialogue: high-level roundtables convening democracy stakeholders from across the Transatlantic region to revitalise what brings Transatlantic allies together: our shared values. The working meetings contribute to protecting, strengthening and supporting democracies’ values at home and abroad. More information: https://defenddemocracy.eu/projects/transatlantic-democracy-dialogue/ * (Member of) People Vs Big Tech: advocacy for technologies that help, not harm democracy. More information: https://defenddemocracy.eu/projects/people-vs-big-tech/ (On demand: Act On Disinfo: digital literacy and resilience-building trainings on how to deal with online information manipulation, disinformation, conspiracy theories, propaganda and other harmful information activities. More information: https://defenddemocracy.eu/projects/act-on-disinfo/)
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
Netherlands Democracy Coalition (a Dutch coalition; https://democratiecoalitie.org/) People versus Big Tech (a European coalition; https://peoplevsbig.tech/) Forum on Information & Democracy (a global coalition; https://informationdemocracy.org/)
Organisation Members
We occasionally collaborate with other NGOs, for example around International Democracy Day. The organisers of the local chapters of our #DemocracyDrinks (https://democracydrinks.org/) are not affiliated but do their own thing. We have no say about the content of their events. We don't have formal membership, but our community has 2000 registered people (as of January 2026), plus a wider audience of interested people and organisations.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.