News & Events

Nightlife as democratic infrastructure: new report explores the political potential of grassroots nighttime culture

What does a dancefloor have to do with democracy? A new Democracy in Action report, Nightivism in Practice: A Best Practice Report on Grassroots Nighttime Culture and Democracy, explores how grassroots nighttime spaces can foster belonging, political expression and civic participation - particularly among communities that are often marginalised in formal democratic life.

Co-Created Cultural Spaces: The Role of Feminist Artivism in Democracy

How can feminist artivism transform cultural spaces and strengthen democracy? This report, developed by our partners at Jagiellonian University, explores how artistic and cultural practices create new forms of visibility, solidarity and participation. Drawing on a mapping of 123 initiatives, it highlights the importance of flexible, grassroots and co-created spaces in advancing women’s rights and social change.

Democreation: Exploring Democracy Through Art, Food and Collective Imagination

Hosted by Teatro Munganga in Amsterdam, Democreation brought together artists, activists, researchers and community members for an evening of performances, food, discussion and collective reflection on the meaning of democracy. Through dance, music, storytelling, film and conversation, participants explored how arts and culture can create spaces for participation, connection and democratic imagination. The event highlighted the power of grassroots cultural initiatives in strengthening democratic values in times of social and political uncertainty.

Teatro Munganga: “You Can’t Change the Whole World, But You Can Change Small Worlds”

In this interview, Teatro Munganga founders Claudia Maoli and Carlos Lagoeiro reflect on nearly 40 years of socially engaged theatre, their vision of democracy, and the ideas behind Democreation - a participatory performance that invites audiences to collectively reimagine democracy through art, dialogue, and community.

Europe: a delayed train of ideas and ideals - Winner Europe Night Essay Contest

This essay by Joshua Vissers was selected as the winner of the EuropeNight Essay Contest, organised by De Kiesmannen, Het Parool and Democracy in Action. The competition explored the theme Promises and invited young writers to reflect on Europe’s present and future.

Elisabeth's Legacy: Europe Night Essay Competition (Shortlist)

This essay by Max Geuns was selected as one of five shortlisted entries in the EuropeNight Essay Contest, organised by De Kiesmannen, Het Parool and Democracy in Action. The competition explored the theme Promises and invited young writers to reflect on Europe’s present and future.

One for the Books: Europe Night Essay Competition (Shortlist)

This essay by Daan Jen Hong Li was selected as one of five shortlisted entries in the EuropeNight Essay Contest, organised by De Kiesmannen, Het Parool and Democracy in Action. The competition explored the theme Promises and invited young writers to reflect on Europe’s present and future.i

I Have EU Anxiety: The Fear of a Europe Without Core Values - EuropeNight Essay Contest (Shortlist)

This essay by Daan Boelens was selected as one of five shortlisted entries in the EuropeNight Essay Contest, organised by De Kiesmannen, Het Parool and Democracy in Action. The competition explored the theme Promises and invited young writers to reflect on Europe’s present and future.

Europe is Playing the Wrong Game: EuropeNight Essay Contest (Shortlist)

This essay by Abel Koentjes was selected as one of five shortlisted entries in the EuropeNight Essay Contest, organised by De Kiesmannen, Het Parool and Democracy in Action. The competition explored the theme Promises and invited young writers to reflect on Europe’s present and future.

Democracy in Action Expands Pan-European Exchange with New Workshop in Skopje

Futuring New Worlds brings together artists, curators, and grassroots cultural organisations from across Europe in Skopje to explore how artistic and curatorial practices can strengthen youth participation, democratic imagination, and transnational cultural exchange.

Interactive Map: African and Afro-descendant Cultural Networks in Lisbon

Democracy in Action Looks Ahead to Izmir Workshop in September

As part of the project’s next phase, three organisations have been selected for the upcoming “Grassroots Culture for Youth Climate Action” workshop in Izmir, Türkiye, where participants will explore how culture and creativity can contribute to climate action ahead of COP31.

Between Art and Social Change: Women’s Artivism and Democracy

Recap of our knowledge exchange workshop in Krakow where artists, researchers, and activists explored the theme of feminist artivism.

9 May: Join our VR-Nightclub during EuropeNight!

EuropaNacht is an evening and night programme in Paradiso where politics, culture and club come together. Featuring talks, performances, a full club night and a VR nightclub by Democracy in Action, it explores Europe’s promises through both reflection and experience.

Call for Papers: Democracies in the Post-Digital World

“Open Cultural Studies” (www.degruyter.com/CULTURE) invites submissions for a special issue entitled "Democracies in the Post-digital World: cultural studies perspectives in global contexts," edited by Sara Brandellero (Leiden University, the Netherlands), Sini Hassinen (Leiden University, The Netherlands), Sonia Horonziak, (Institute of Public Affairs, Warsaw, Poland), and Monika Junker (Magdeburg-Stendal University, Germany).

Conference: From Stage to State - The Role of Art in Shaping Democratic Spaces

Join our International Conference (9th-11th of June, 2026 in Krakow) on Grassroots Culture, Arts, and Cultural Spaces for Political Participation and Expression in a Resilient Europe

Meet our sister projects!

Democracy in Action is part of a trio of Horizon Europe research projects exploring how culture, art, and digital spaces can strengthen democratic participation and political expression.

In conversation with author and activist Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel

Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel belongs to the ethnic minority of the Annobonese, of whom only around eight thousand people remain in the world. Considered a benchmark of postcolonial African literature, he is the most translated author from Equatorial Guinea.

Building Democracy Through Theatre: An Interview with the Social Community Theatre Centre

The Social Community Theatre Centre (SCT Centre) uses theatre to foster inclusion, well-being, and civic engagement. They joined our recent workshop in Turin on democracy and culture and Fabiana Re from SCT shares her insights.

African and afro-descendant videomakers take part in intensive workshop on Storytelling, Narratives and Power

In June 2025, CEsA hosted a four-day documentary training in Lisbon for African and Afro-descendant filmmakers. Led by award-winning directors Michèle Stephenson and Joe Brewster, the workshop combined hands-on film practice with reflection on identity, representation, and social justice - giving young creators the tools to tell their own stories.

Reclaiming the Night: Emiko Gejic on Club Culture as Political Power

What if club culture wasn’t just about nightlife, but about reclaiming the city as a democratic space? In Berlin, Emiko Geijc weaves together cultural activism, grassroots organizing, and political advocacy to protect and reimagine nightlife as a vital part of urban democracy.

Imagining Everyday Life Differently, A Conversation with Kenneth Bailey of DS4SI

What if democracy wasn’t just about choosing between pre-set options, but about imagining new ones altogether as a community? In Boston, Kenneth Bailey and his team at the Design Studio for Social Intervention (ds4si) work at the intersection of community organizing, design, and cultural practice to make that vision real.

Meet Our Lead Researchers

How are grassrootsculture and democracy connected? And why did Sara and Kamilla decide to apply for this Horizon grant?