Rieke Wönig works at Democracy Reporting International (DRI), one of our partners in the ScaleDem project funded by Horizon Europe, the European program for research and innovation. In this capacity, she addresses – among other things – the collaboration between Missions Publiques and Nets4Dem, a pan-European network that promotes democracy in Europe and beyond.
Missions Publiques. Democracy Reporting International (DRI) has been around for 15 years. Its mission is to analyze democratic developments around the world, particularly in the Global South. Can you tell us more about what drove the creation and development of your organization and what are your current missions and priorities?
Rieke Wönig. When Democracy Reporting International (DRI) was founded in 2006, the field of democracy research was largely dominated by a few major intergovernmental organizations and private consultancies. DRI set out to address this gap as an independent, non-partisan NGO, offering analysis on democratic developments and expert advice on constitutional and electoral frameworks.
Today, DRI has grown into a global organization with a team of around 100 staff working across six offices on three continents. Alongside our research efforts, we collaborate with local partners to strengthen democratic systems and institutions on the ground.
As a member of DRI’s Europe team, I am proud of the significant work we undertake in rule of law and citizen participation in the region. This year, we opened an office in Kyiv, Ukraine. Our local team closely monitors the performance of Ukraine’s democratic institutions in the face of Russia’s war, advocating for democracy to remain a central pillar of foreign security policies.
We are also at the forefront of defending the rule of law within the EU, enhancing media capacities, advising policymakers, and empowering civil society. Additionally, we support grassroots changemakers in Moldova through democracy schools.
Missions Publiques. Many observers argue that electoral democracy is currently in crisis (abstention, distrust, illiberal shifts, etc.), particularly in Europe. How do you analyze this decline? How do you see the role of democratic innovations in mitigating this situation?
Rieke Wönig. This decline is rooted in several factors. Citizens increasingly feel disconnected from the political process, perceiving it as distant and unresponsive to their concerns. The rise of disinformation, political polarization, and the erosion of trust in traditional institutions further weaken democratic engagement. Anti-democratic actors exploit a general sense of instability and uncertainty in the face of major challenges such as war, climate change, and economic volatility, fueling fear and anger, and undermining the foundations of democratic systems.
However, I believe there is still a path forward, and democratic innovation is a crucial part of it. Strengthening democracy requires more than simply improving electoral processes; we must rethink how citizens engage and connect with political systems. Our democracies must become more inclusive, participatory, and effective to rebuild citizens’ trust and depolarize democracy. This democratic renewal requires our society to experiment with new forms and practices of democracy. This is where innovations such as participatory budgeting, digital participatory platforms for citizens, and deliberative assemblies can play a crucial role. These processes significantly increase and deepen citizen engagement and strengthen their influence over how they are governed.
"Uncertain election outcomes, varying levels of democratic backsliding, growing public distrust in institutions, and ever-evolving technology demand constant adaptation.
Rieke Wönig
Programme Coordinator Europe at Democracy Reporting International
Missions Publiques. You are the coordinator of the Nets4Dem network. What are the specificities of this network?
Rieke Wönig. Since last year, DRI has been leading a flagship project aimed at creating a pan-European network focused on democratic innovation, called Nets4Dem. This network is made up of civil society organizations, research institutions, and public bodies promoting democracy in Europe and beyond. It offers its members direct access to knowledge and best practices on democratic innovation. At Nets4Dem, we enable our members to collaborate with experts from different sectors to craft and implement solutions tailored to their own local or national contexts, fostering strategic partnerships aimed at achieving shared goals. Interested individuals or institutions can apply for membership via our project website.
Nets4Dem focuses on four key action pillars. The first is dedicated to gathering and analyzing existing research on democratic innovation. A major outcome of this effort is the development of an online knowledge database on democratic innovation, which will present the findings of over 400 research projects, serving as an essential resource for democracy practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
The second pillar includes capacity-building initiatives aimed at supporting both individuals and institutions. Programs such as the Rising Stars Mentorship Program and the Democracy Accelerator, both free and open for rolling applications, offer democracy practitioners the opportunity to learn from their peers, receive tailored mentorship, and benefit from expert training.
The third pillar focuses on developing policy recommendations and co-creating innovative solutions with policymakers at various levels of governance, ensuring that new ideas are inclusive, actionable, and responsive to the real needs of citizens.
At the heart of the project is the fourth pillar: a diverse, Europe-wide network for democracy. This expanding network strengthens collective efforts to implement democratic initiatives at local, national, and European levels. By transforming the fragmented landscape of democracy initiatives into a cohesive, sustainable ecosystem, we can amplify the impact of democratic innovation across the region.
Missions Publiques. You are one of the key partners in the upcoming ScaleDem project. What is your role, and what are the challenges of this large-scale project?
Rieke Wönig. ScaleDem builds directly on the foundations laid by Nets4Dem, focusing on replicating and scaling knowledge and solutions across different contexts. As the coordinator of the Nets4Dem project, I am excited about the opportunity to connect these two projects, foster collaboration, and maximize the impact and reach of both initiatives. In a field often marked by competition for resources, we choose partnership and cooperation as the path to lasting democratic change.
One of the major challenges for projects like ScaleDem is navigating Europe’s complex and rapidly evolving political landscapes. Uncertain election outcomes, varying levels of democratic backsliding, growing public distrust in institutions, and ever-evolving technology demand constant adaptation.
Coordinating efforts across multiple countries, each with its own unique political context, requires flexible strategies and strong partnerships. The key to success lies in promoting collaboration and inclusivity among academia, civil society, policymakers, and local actors, ensuring that solutions are responsive to the specific realities of each time and place.
ScaleDem and Nets4Dem are sister projects with a shared mission: advancing knowledge and creating innovative solutions in the field of democracy. Together, they form a powerful partnership working to strengthen democratic systems and practices in Europe and beyond.
Information: https://nets4dem.eu/our-network/
Contact: r.woenig@democracy-reporting.org
