How citizen initiatives are transforming France

At a time when democratic challenges seem to be intensifying, when participatory democracy and the voice of civil society seem to be the obvious democratic solution, a key question arises: how can we breathe new life into our democracy? The answer is perhaps to be found where we least expect it: in the initiatives taken by citizens themselves, in the thousands of associations and collectives that are taking concrete action all over France to strengthen the democratic link.

The year 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal stage in the evolution of citizen participation, with climate, social and economic challenges demanding exceptional citizen involvement. This is precisely the context in which the Democracy Fund comes into its own: supporting those who, on a daily basis, protect, promote and reinvent our democracy.

When citizens take the lead: reinventing democracy

French democracy is going through a period of profound transformation. Citizens are no longer content to wait for elections to make their voices heard. They are creating, innovating and experimenting with new forms of engagement. Citizens’ initiatives are as much about improving public spaces as they are about generating emulation and encounters between users.

French democracy is going through a period of profound transformation. Citizens are no longer content to wait for elections to make their voices heard. They are creating, innovating and experimenting with new forms of engagement. Citizens’ initiatives are as much about improving public spaces as they are about generating emulation and encounters between users.

The essential role of civil society in democratic vitality

As well as responding to urgent everyday needs, civil society encourages people to participate in collective and democratic life, by offering them a space to express themselves, by organising actions and by holding the authorities to account. This role of intermediary and democratic facilitator is crucial in maintaining the link between citizens and institutions.

Supporting democratic innovation: the Democracy Fund’s approach

Our mission is to provide more resources to civil society organisations in France that protect, promote and reinvent democracy. This approach is based on several strong convictions, in particular our belief in civil society’s capacity for innovation.