The European foundation association Philea has published the report “2025 Democracy Briefer for Funders: What’s Happening to European Democracy and What Funders Can Do About It”. Commissioned by Democracy Network, the document examines democratic backsliding in Europe and its causes, offering philanthropic solutions and strategies to tackle the multidimensional challenges associated with this issue.
This 52-page report was authored by Sevda Kilicalp, Head of Knowledge and Learning at Philea, and Nils Luyten, Program Manager. It explores the “subtle nature” of democratic regression and its causes, providing a comprehensive understanding of this complex problem and enabling philanthropic organizations to develop appropriate strategies.
The text highlights that political events, both in Europe and globally, underscore not only the challenges but also the opportunities to strengthen and revitalize democratic governance. As Europe faces shifts in its political landscape, there is growing recognition of the importance of safeguarding democratic values and institutions.
Moreover, the report presents a concise and evidence-backed argument to help funders, donors, and sponsors convince their peers and boards of the need to increase support for democracy. In this regard, it emphasizes existing collaborations between democratic organizations and entities and calls for their expansion rather than the creation of new pathways or parallel structures.
Report Findings
Among its main conclusions, the report emphasizes that while polarization and populism often demand immediate attention, it is essential to examine and address the deeper underlying causes.
Basic needs such as access to healthcare and affordable housing have been neglected. In a context of rising living costs, this “neglect” has widened socio-economic disparities, fueling the perception that democracy does not treat all citizens equally or address their real concerns.
“Even when democratic backsliding does not lead to dictatorship, it significantly erodes the quality and stability of democratic governance. That is why early identification and response to threats are crucial.”
However, the report’s most important conclusion is that philanthropy alone cannot reverse democratic backsliding, but it can catalyze change. According to the report, a rich ecosystem of movements and organizations is ready to step up efforts to defend and innovate democracy, with many proven methods waiting to be leveraged.
Report available here: https://philea.issuelab.org/resource/2025-democracy-briefer-for-funders-what-s-happening-to-european-democracy-and-what-funders-can-do-about-it.html
