Populism has gained considerable momentum in recent years, particularly right-wing populism, which often frames politics as a struggle between the ‘pure people’ and a ‘corrupt elite’. This ideology often portrays sustainability efforts - such as climate policies, carbon taxes or renewable energy initiatives - as elitist projects imposed on ordinary citizens without their consent.
Trans4Demo is a new HORIZON Research and Innovation Action that aims to explore the interconnected challenges of populism and climate change and their effects on liberal democratic values and a just transition in Europe. By developing and empirically testing innovative conceptual tools, the project seeks to understand the nature and drivers of political mobilization that oppose sustainable environmental transitions. Additionally, it identifies new arenas and strategies for democratic engagement. The ultimate objective of the initiative is to contribute to the overall reinforcement of civic engagement and democratic practices, to effectively build and promote innovative approaches to civic and grassroots engagement, strengthening bottom-up mobilisation and ensuring their perspectives are integrated in the institutional decision-making processes.
"We are launching the project at a time when democracy itself is facing serious challenges - polarisation and populist backlash have eroded trust, fragmented societies, and weakened civic dialogue. Trans4Demo aims to investigate the time-sensitive intersection between the objectives of sustainability transitions and political mobilisations around them, set against the backdrop of contemporary democratic crises driven by populist backlash and its prevailing logic of polarisation".
Przemysław Pluciński, Coordinator, Trans4Demo
Trans4Demo Partners
Trans4Demo is coordinated by the Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu (UMA), which is leading a versatile and competent consortium representing various academic and research institutions from seven European Union member states (Poland, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands) and two countries outside the European Union (Norway and Israel). More info on the Trans4Demo Consortium can be found here.
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Further details and updates about the development of Trans4Demo, including details on our European Country Case Studies, will be disseminated through the official website, via our LinkedIn, YouTube and Bluesky channels as well as via a regular Trans4Demo newsletter.