How can democracies defend themselves against the onslaught of far-right movements and autocratic forces? And just as importantly — how can they renew and reinvent themselves to better serve citizens in an age of growing mistrust?

The sub-theme of Democratic Resilience explores these crucial questions through cutting-edge research, publications, and events. It brings the frontier of democratic innovation closer to progressive policymakers and an engaged public — offering ideas and inspiration for strengthening democracy in challenging times.

Currently, our work in this sub-theme focuses in particular on strategies for progressives to develop compelling narratives and effective responses at a time when democratic majorities are under pressure — threatened by the ongoing normalisation of far-right parties and their surrounding social ecosystems across Europe. At the same time, it examines how citizens from socially disadvantaged backgrounds can meaningfully participate in local democracy, and how public policy can better support and empower them to do so.

Find all publications on Democratic Resilience
Publications
20/05/2025

Demonetisation of anti-democratic and extreme content

The proposed European Democracy Shield (EUDS) aims to fortify the EU’s democratic systems against disinformation, […]
18/04/2024

The transformation of the mainstream right and its impact on (social) democracy

In recent decades, the Western European political landscape has undergone profound changes. Much analysis has […]
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Find all events on Democratic Resilience
Events
Past
13 - 15/11/2025
Vienna, Austria (Expert Meeting)

FEPS Young Academics Seminar

4th seminar of the 9th cycle
17/10/2025
Amsterdam, Netherlands

FEPS at PES Congress 2025

The PES Congress 2025 was a crucial gathering for progressives and civil society to tackle […]
20/05/2025
Brussels, Belgium (Expert meeting)

Demonetising disinformation

Roundtable on the European democracy shield
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Find all Progressive Post on Democratic Resilience
Progressive Post
27/05/2025

Far-right approaches to education in Europe

27/05/2025

When academia stands up: Serbia’s higher education under siege

24/04/2024

Croatia’s super election year starts with a possible sharp turn to the right

04/04/2024

The Democratic Shield: safeguarding democracy in the age of AI

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Find all news on Democratic Resilience
News
21/10/2025

Maria João Rodrigues at PES Congress 2025

🇳🇱 🌹 FEPS attended the Party of European Socialists (PES) Congress in Amsterdam, which included […]
18/10/2025

FEPS at PES Congress 2025

🇳🇱 🌹Within PES Congress, there were full rooms on insightful discussion on a range of […]
04/03/2024

FEPS at the PES Election Congress in Rome

A FEPS delegation travelled to Rome last week to participate in the Election Congress of […]
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Find all in the media on Democratic Resilience
In the media

Líderes progresistas internacionales se reunieron en Buenos Aires para ponerle un freno al avance de la extrema derecha

by Mi Valle 23/09/2025
“International progressive leaders met in Buenos Aires to push back against the rise of the far right” News article in Mi Valle reporting on the meeting of progressive leaders from Europe and Latin America in Buenos Aires, where FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues took part, stressing the need to build common strategies to defend democracy and social justice against the far right.

En Europe, les partis sociaux-démocrates se sont contentés d’une approche technocratique

by Le Point 04/07/2025
“In Europe, social democratic parties have relied too heavily on a technocratic approach” Interview with FEPS Secretary General László Andor in Le Point (FR), reflecting on the decline of social democracy in Europe and the need to renew its political vision in the face of nationalist challenges.

Nem jó, hogy Magyarországon a szélsőjobb és a jobboldal versenyez

by Hírklikk 12/05/2025
“It's not good that the far-right and the right are competing in Hungary” Interview with FEPS Secretary General László Andor on KlikkTV (HU), featured in Hírklikk, discussing the rise of the far right in Hungary and the need for stronger progressive alternatives.

La ultraderecha se reorganiza para devorar a los populares en Europa

by El País 03/06/2024
EL País article focuses on the changing relationship between the mainstream right and the far-right. It mentions FEPS Policy Study 'The transformation of the mainstream right and its impact on (social) democracy' and includes interviews with some of its authors.

AI won’t replace quality journalism, but sector needs safeguarding, says socialist think tank head

by Euractiv 18/03/2024
Interview with FEPS President on the role of media in Europe’s future
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Find all audiovisual on Democratic Resilience
Audiovisual
18/07/2025

📊 Can the POPULIST RIGHT be DEFEATED? With Marcin Duma | Next Left Pollsters

Discover the new podcast series “Progressive Pollsters“. The first episode with Marcin Duma focusing on […]
17/12/2024

Right turns and Left leans: A New gender divide in young voters? with Gefjon Off

🔊📺 Available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts In this episode of FEPS Talk, Policy […]
17/12/2024

Right turns and Left leans: A New gender divide in young voters? with Gefjon Off

🔊📺 Available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts In this episode of FEPS Talk, Policy […]
30/09/2024

Eastern Germany Votes: Far-Right Gains and European Implications with Sabrina Repp

🔊📺 Available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts In this episode of FEPS Talks, host […]
30/09/2024

Eastern Germany Votes: Far-Right Gains and European Implications with Sabrina Repp

🔊📺 Available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts In this episode of FEPS Talks, host […]
26/04/2024

‘The transformation of the European mainstream right and its impact on (social) democracy’ Flickr album

Photo album of the ‘The transformation of the European mainstream right and its impact on […]
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Network and Team

Julia WILD

Project Officer
Julia works as a Project Officer for FEPS and contributes with her operational expertise to […]

Matteo DRESSLER

Policy Analyst on Democracy and Participation
Matteo joined FEPS in January 2022 as a policy advisor in the field of democracy […]

Ania SKRZYPEK

Director for Research and Training
Ania SKRZYPEK, (Skrzypek-Claassens), PhD, is Director for Research and Training at FEPS. She obtained her […]
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