INNOVAtive DEmocracy Through Digitalisation

SUMMARY

Digital transformation is revolutionising democracy. INNOVADE (INNOVAtive DEmocracy through digitalisation) drives this shift by addressing the challenges and risks associated with digital platforms. The project will deliver advanced tools and frameworks to empower inclusive, transparent, and effective e-participation across Europe.

By leveraging existing knowledge and exploring emerging trends, INNOVADE provides innovative, scalable, and replicable solutions, fostering a digitally enhanced public sphere and strengthening democratic governance.

INNOVADE aims to transform digital democracy through 8 key exploitable results (KERs) that work together to create lasting change. At its core, the project will build a knowledge foundation through its Interdisciplinary Knowledge Base and Digital Democracy Grading Toolkit, helping governments and policymakers understand and evaluate digital participation. Moving from theory to practice, INNOVADE will develop practical tools including a Public Procurement Toolkit and a cutting-edge Digital Democracy App that will be piloted in municipalities. To ensure inclusive access, the project will create educational materials and a learning management system designed to reach citizens across all socioeconomic backgrounds.

INNOVADE is designed to overcome key challenges through careful mitigation strategies, particularly around data privacy, user behaviour, and institutional resistance to change. Through its Living Labs methodology and comprehensive stakeholder engagement approach, the project will create a sustainable model for digital democracy that improves accountability, transparency, and citizen participation in governance across Europe.

INNOVADE is committed to enhancing visibility and impact by implementing a comprehensive communication and dissemination strategy. This ensures stakeholder engagement through tailored, multi-channel approaches and collaborative efforts across sectors.

The project contributes to:

• A deeper understanding of digital democracy dynamics.
• Strengthening democratic governance and transparency.
• Equipping decision-makers with tools for inclusive digital governance.

Project Dates: 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2027