The autocratic appeal: nature, drivers and strategies

The main goal of this opportunity is to address the growing trend of autocratic governance worldwide, including within established democracies. It aims to provide policymakers, public authorities, and citizens with up-to-date scientific knowledge and practical tools to recognize and counteract autocratic behaviors. Focus areas include early detection of autocratic tendencies, strategies for resistance, and empowering democratic actors such as media and civil society. The opportunity also supports the promotion of democracy, EU values, and the strengthening of democratic systems against both internal and external threats. International cooperation is encouraged, reflecting a global perspective on the rise of autocracies and populism.

• Study the drivers, narratives, characteristics, and appeal of autocratic regimes in European and international contexts.

• Provide taxonomies, early warning tools, and characterisation frameworks to help identify signs of autocratic tendencies.

• Explore resistance strategies including civic, societal, institutional, and digital approaches to counter autocratic influence.

• Engage with public authorities, journalists, civil society, and academic communities to ensure usability and practical uptake.

• Build on and cluster with previous relevant EU-funded research, including prior DEMOCRACY calls and governance-related projects.

Examples of admissible projects:

• A research initiative developing tools to detect early signs of digital authoritarianism in different regions.
• A collaborative project designing strategies to help civil society organizations resist disinformation campaigns.
• An international partnership creating educational resources to raise awareness about the erosion of democratic norms.

• Personnel costs for researchers and project staff
• Costs for equipment and materials essential to project activities
• Travel and accommodation for project meetings and fieldwork
• Subcontracting of specialized services
• Dissemination and communication activities
• Workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagement events
• Development of digital tools, platforms, or resources
• Translation and interpretation services
• Costs for data collection and analysis

All expenses must fit within the lump sum contribution model defined by the Horizon Europe Programme. Restrictions may apply to costs not directly related to project objectives.

• Budget for this Call: 10.500.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 3
• Budget per project: 3.500.000€
• Minimum value per project: 3.000.000€

• Consortium must include at least three independent entities from three different eligible countries, with one in an EU Member State

• All partners must be from EU or associated countries and show financial and operational capacity

• Action type is Research & Innovation Action (RIA)

• Project must focus on understanding the appeal, drivers, and strategies of autocratic systems, including within democracies

• Should involve SSH experts, policymakers, media, and civil society to develop tools and recommendations for democratic resilience

• Must deliver policy-relevant insights and early-warning mechanisms

• Standard Horizon Europe rules on ethics, conflicts of interest, exclusions, data protection, and compliance apply