Belgrade, June 30, 2025 – The National Roundtable Discussion dedicated to representatives of civil society organizations was held at the Human Rights House in Belgrade, with the aim of empowering them in the application of the Reykjavík Principles and Parameters to strengthen democracy and civic participation. This event is part of the European project BRIDGE (Building Resilience and Inclusion for Democracy and Participatory Governance in Europe).

Participants were introduced to the Reykjavík Principles, which emerged as a response to the growing challenges to democracy and the weakening of public institutions across Europe. They were adopted in 2023 at the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavík, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening democratic values. These principles and accompanying parameters were developed in collaboration with civil society, state authorities, and experts, serving as a practical tool for improving democratic systems.

During interactive sessions, participants had the opportunity to assess how well the principles reflect their experiences and to propose necessary improvements. Additionally, participants shared good practice examples and provided recommendations for enhancing democratic processes and civic participation.

Learn more about the project at: https://idcserbia.org/en/projekti/boosting-trust-and-engagement-of-citizens-in-democratic-processes-bridge/