Date: Monday, May 5, 2026

Location: Sparks Meeting, Rue Ravenstein, Brussels, Belgium

Format: In-person conference

Organized by: Eurocities and TEPSA, as part of the Nets4Dem consortium

How do we strengthen democracy from within — not just against external threats, but by rebuilding trust, deepening participation, and connecting local action to European policy? This conference brings together cities, EU institutions, civil society, and researchers to explore how democratic resilience can be strengthened in practice across all levels of governance.

The program highlights the role of democratic infrastructures like Nets4Dem in connecting actors, knowledge, and practice across Europe. Confirmed speakers include People Powered members Anthony Zacharzewski (Democratic Society), Melisa Ross (Global Citizens' Assembly Network), Sahib Singh (Demos Helsinki), and André Sobczak (Eurocities Secretary General); Staff, Alisa Aliti Vlašić (Coglobal), with European Commission and mayoral representatives to be confirmed.

The conference concludes with the Nets4Dem Democratic Innovation Awards, recognizing impactful local projects developed with Nets4Dem support.

People Powered is a consortium partner in the Nets4Dem project, an EU Horizon-funded initiative building infrastructure for democratic renewal across Europe.