Envisioning the Future of Digital Democracy

The second Living Lab of the INNOVADE project brought together researchers, public institutions, civil society organisations, media and technology stakeholders to explore how digital democracy can evolve. Held in Paderborn, Germany, on 23–24 September 2025, the Living Lab combined expert insights with participatory workshops and co-creation activities.

The discussions focused on three key dimensions of digital democracy: online participation, open governance and digital activism. Participants also examined major challenges, including disinformation and foreign information manipulation (FIMI), authoritarian trends, digital divides and the growing influence of Big Tech platforms.

A central conclusion was that the future of digital democracy cannot rely on technology alone. It requires inclusive participation, transparency, accountability, trust and responsive institutions. The Living Lab also highlighted the importance of hybrid participation models that combine digital tools with face-to-face engagement, as well as public-interest digital infrastructures that can support a more democratic digital public sphere.

The findings provide practical recommendations for the next stages of the INNOVADE project, helping translate research insights into ideas that can be tested through future pilots and case studies.

Want to explore the findings, discussions and policy recommendations in more detail? Read the full Living Lab #2 Final Report.

👇 Read the full report