Supporting progressive research and policy work on digital topics is more critical than ever as Europe navigates a shifting (geo)political and technological landscape. The rise of the far right across the continent threatens to erode democratic norms and digital platforms have become vehicles to spread disinformation, hate speech, and authoritarian narratives. EU-US relations are rapidly deteriorating, with significantly divergent approaches to data privacy, freedom of speech and digital sovereignty undermining transatlantic cooperation.
In this environment, progressive digital policy grounded in empirical evidence and critical analysis is essential to defend democratic values, promote equity, and ensure that digital innovation serves the public good rather than entrenched power. Without such efforts, the digital realm risks becoming a tool of division, extraction, surveillance, and control. FEPS supports these efforts by funding and creating a platform for progressive scholarship and projects around digitalisation.
In 2025-2026, FEPS will continue its collaboration with Nordic partners for the Digital Programme, focusing on the use of AI systems at the workplace and in the public sector, trade union capacity building in the realm of such digital technologies, and the impact of AI on productivity and working conditions.