About

The DemForYou (Democracy for You in the EU) project seeks to study, discuss, and contribute to the understanding of the threats to democracy in the European Union, aiming at supporting proposals to address these issues and strengthen democratic practices. The project generates innovative knowledge for the scientific community, policymakers, and civil society, while promoting critical reflection and informed civic participation. Using a multi- and interdisciplinary approach, DemForYou combines research, teaching, and knowledge transfer. It focuses on the examination of European politics and policies, including Economic and Monetary Union, Asylum Policy, Social Policy, Cohesion Policy, and Neighborhood Policy. The project aims to (i) identify and understand the elements and processes related to the threats to democracy and (ii) explore the institutional, normative, and political mechanisms that have proven effective, or could be effective, in strengthening democracy in the EU.

DemForYou targets both academic and non-academic audiences, which include:

• National and Internacional undergraduate, master and doctoral students;
• Researchers and educators;
• Policymakers, civil servants, and civil society actors;
• Basic and secondary school teachers;
• The general public.

Activities under this project include promoting open classes, improving the content of curricular units, and internationalizing the training offered by the Department of History, European Studies, Archeology and Arts, of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Coimbra. Additional initiatives consist of a Spring School for both national and international higher education students, accredited training actions, webinars, policy papers, and scientific research and publications. Coordinated by the University of Coimbra, DemForYou is being implemented at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, where the undergraduate training in European Studies is located, and at CEIS20 - Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of the University of Coimbra, a R&D unit. The project involves a multidisciplinary team of national and international researchers from various higher education institutions across Europe and Latin America.

In summary, DemForYou aims to bridge the gap between research, education, and knowledge, thereby strengthening research focused on specific EU policies, enhancing understanding of democracy, and promoting scientifically informed policymaking.

• UC – The University of Coimbra is an institution for the creation, critical analysis, transfer and dissemination of culture, science and technology. Through research, teaching and the provision of services to the community, it contributes to economic and social development, environmental protection, the promotion of social justice and an informed and responsible society, and the consolidation of knowledge-based sovereignty. (https://www.uc.pt/en/sobrenos/)
• FLUC – The Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Coimbra (FLUC) is an academic unit focused on the study and research of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Offering a diverse array of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs, FLUC is committed to fostering critical thinking, embracing cultural diversity, and preparing informed citizens who are ready to address contemporary challenges.
• CEIS20 – The Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies is a research unit of the University of Coimbra, integrated in the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research and funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) since 1998. It’s mission is to generate interdisciplinary knowledge by fostering collaboration and reconfiguring various fields of study. Its research strategy revolves around five key issues that address global challenges: (i) democracy, inequalities, and political change; (ii) ethics and knowledge production in the digital age; (iii) sustainability and adaptation in changing environments; (iv) artistic practices, social renewal, and cultural mediation; and (v) the diversity of interdisciplinary knowledge. CEIS20 aims to establish an environment of excellence for innovative interdisciplinary projects in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
• The project features a multidisciplinary and international team, which includes researchers from several institutions: the University of Coimbra, the University of Oradea, the Free University of Brussels, the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, the University of Salamanca, NOVA School of Law, São Paulo State University, Lancaster University, and the University of Aveiro.