This question guided two focus group discussions held in spring 2026, bringing together researchers, civil society representatives and policy experts interested in the development of innovative tools for analysing democratic systems.

The sessions built on previous discussions and provided participants with a closer look at the latest version of a digital simulation platform designed to explore how political institutions and actors interact under different conditions.

Testing political scenarios

During the discussions, participants explored a range of simulated political scenarios, including majority and minority governments, coalition dynamics and the influence of individual political actors on decision-making processes. Through a combination of demonstrations and interactive discussions, participants examined how changes in political circumstances could affect the behaviour of institutions and broader political outcomes. The objective was not to predict the future, but to better understand how different factors may influence democratic systems and governance dynamics.

Transparency and Accessibility as Key Themes

A recurring topic throughout the discussions was the importance of making complex political analysis understandable and accessible. Participants highlighted the value of clear explanations regarding how simulations operate, how results are generated and how users can interpret the outcomes. The conversations also explored broader questions related to transparency, trust and the communication of complex information through digital platforms. The discussions demonstrated that technological innovation alone is not sufficient; users also need confidence in the information presented and a clear understanding of the underlying processes.

Looking ahead

The focus groups formed part of an ongoing effort to engage stakeholders in discussions about the opportunities and challenges of using digital technologies to explore political and institutional developments. The conversations highlighted strong interest in innovative approaches that can make complex democratic processes more visible and understandable, while fostering informed dialogue among diverse communities and experts.

In March, the TWIN4DEM project continued its participatory work through a new round of online focus groups in Hungary, Czechia, France and the Netherlands. The sessions brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society representatives, journalists, and researchers, ensuring a wide range of perspectives.

These discussions marked an important milestone in the project’s development. Participants were invited to explore the first version of the TWIN4DEM “toy model”, an early-stage digital twin designed to simulate pathways of executive aggrandizement. This initial exposure allowed stakeholders to engage directly with the concept and provide feedback on its structure, functionality, and potential applications.

The discussions generated valuable insights into how the model can be made both meaningful and usable for its intended audiences. A recurring point raised by participants was the importance of transparency: for the model to gain trust and be widely adopted, it must clearly communicate not only its outputs and scenario variations, but also the underlying mechanisms that generate them.

In parallel, participants highlighted key ethical and governance considerations. Ensuring full compliance with data protection standards, including GDPR, was identified as a fundamental requirement. Particular attention was given to decisions around data storage and infrastructure, as well as the need to provide clear, accessible explanations of how user data is collected, processed, and managed—especially in cases where external services are integrated.

To further strengthen this co-creation process, two additional online focus group discussions are scheduled for 29 April and 11 May. These sessions will aim to gather further input, with a specific focus on increasing participation from Hungary and Czechia, in order to ensure stronger contextual representation and more locally grounded insights.

The feedback collected throughout these activities will directly inform the next phase of the project. The TWIN4DEM team will continue refining the model, expanding its data foundations, and preparing it for further testing and validation. Ongoing stakeholder engagement remains central to this process, ensuring that the digital twin evolves as a robust, transparent, and policy-relevant tool aligned with real-world democratic needs.

Dates and Times (Online):

• 25 March, Wednesday, 10:00–12:00 – Czechia
• 25 March, Wednesday, 14:00–16:00 – France
• 26 March, Friday, 10:00–12:00 – Netherlands
• 27 March, Friday, 10:00–12:00 – Hungary

About TWIN4DEM

TWIN4DEM is an EU-funded research initiative that develops digital twin and computational approaches to analyse risks of democratic erosion in Europe. The project combines social science, data science, and participatory methods to support evidence-based policymaking and democratic resilience.

Following the first round of focus groups, the project has further developed its theoretical and computational models. This new round aims to validate and refine these tools through direct interaction with stakeholders.

Who Can Participate?

We are looking for a diverse group of participants, including:

– Policymakers (local, national, and EU-level decision-makers)

– Civil society representatives (NGOs, advocacy groups, democracy watchdogs)

– Researchers and academics (social scientists, political analysts, data scientists, legal experts)

– Media professionals (journalists, fact-checkers, public communicators)

– IT and digital innovation specialists, including experts interested in digital twins

– Citizens and activists with an interest in democratic governance and digital policy

Focus Group Objectives

This round of focus groups will focus on:

• Presenting updates to the TWIN4DEM theoretical model
• Demonstrating how previous focus group input was integrated
• Presenting the current state of the toy model
• Testing the model through hands-on interaction
• Collecting targeted feedback for further development

Participants’ contributions will directly support the validation, usability, and policy relevance of the digital twin.

Format & Timeline 

– Location: Online

– Duration: 2 hours

– Language: English

Why Join? 

• Contribute to the refinement of an innovative digital twin for democracy
• Influence the practical development of project tools
• Exchange perspectives with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners
• Support evidence-based democratic governance

How to Apply? 

Interested participants can express their interest by filling out a short online form. Selected participants will be contacted via email.

Feel free to share this invitation with colleagues, peers, or other contacts whom you believe would bring valuable perspectives to the discussion. We welcome wider participation from individuals whose work or interests align with the themes of democratic resilience and digital governance.

For more information, visit Home – twin4dem.eu or contact us at info@twin4dem.eu & proskurina@democracy-international.org

The TWIN4DEM project is hosting a series of focus groups to explore policy scenarios relevant to our research model. These discussions will centre on two categories of scenarios:

1. Internal political structures: Simulating risks of executive aggrandizement emerging from within a country’s own institutions.
2. External shocks and factors: Exploring the impact of crises such as pandemics, terrorist attacks, economic collapse, or EU-level pushbacks.

Participants will discuss key questions, including:

• How plausible is the scenario in their national context?
• Which actors are most relevant (executive, judiciary, parliament, media, civil society)?
• How might these actors behave considering their preferences, incentives, and constraints?
• What outcomes are most likely: aggrandizement, prevention, or active resistance?
• Are there safeguards, counterweights, or early-warning signals?
• What role might external actors and shocks play in shaping events?

Focus Group Schedule

• 23 September, 11:00 – 16:00 – Lille
• 25 September, 11:00 – 15:30 – Rotterdam
  • Followed by an open panel discussion on democratic reforms (16:30 – 18:30).
• 9 October, 10:30 – 15:30 – Prague
• 14 October, 10:30 – 15:30 – Budapest

Who Will Participate?

The focus groups bring together individuals with direct insight into democratic governance and institutional dynamics. Participants include:

• Civil society representatives actively engaged in safeguarding democratic values.
• Media professionals who monitor and report on political developments.
• Policy makers involved in shaping or implementing democratic reforms.
• Selected academics, where their expertise aligns with the scenarios under discussion.

If you are interested to join us and fall under one of these categories, please reach out to proskurina(at)democracy-international.org

On May 14, the TWIN4DEM project held its first transnational focus group titled “Democracy in the Digital Age: Introducing the TWIN4DEM Approach.” The session brought together 18 participants from all four partner countries. The group included a strong presence from civil society actors, reflecting the project’s commitment to grassroots and civic engagement. Engaging policy makers and journalists remained a challenge, highlighting the very democratic gaps the project aims to address.

Structured Dialogue, Rich Reflections

Participants engaged in a mix of plenary and breakout sessions, with around 40 minutes allocated to small-group discussions. These breakouts proved especially fruitful, with participants expressing a desire for even more time to delve into the complex issues at hand. Core themes included executive aggrandisement, democratic accountability, and the shifting balance of power in EU member states.

Breakout Room Highlights

The Netherlands

Discussions revealed that signs of executive aggrandisement are subtle but present, especially in the form of fragmented coalitions and public discourse manipulation. Participants noted a shift from political to societal democracy, with grassroots movements around healthcare, housing, and food gaining momentum. Concerns were also raised about right-wing populism, limits on protest rights, and media framing, with historical references to figures like Pim Fortuyn and current debates on asylum policies.

Hungary

Participants discussed a landscape marked by low accountability and civic disengagement, with a clear distinction made between civil organisations and an active civil society. Post-COVID and geopolitical shifts have reshaped democratic norms. The lack of tools for citizen resistance, limited political education, and minimal trust in participatory structures were highlighted as serious barriers to democratic resilience.

France

While the legal framework remains intact, participants noted a perceived rise in executive dominance, especially under President Macron. Some viewed this as a reaction to a fragmented parliament, currently split between four major groups. The concentration of power was seen not as autocratic, but as a legal shift within the system’s boundaries. Concerns were raised about framing, public opinion influence, and the role of the media and judiciary. Participants found the TWIN4DEM model intellectually rich and were curious about how it would adapt to the French context.

Key reflections included:

• “What happens is legal, but may feel autocratic.”
• “The exercise of executive power depends on political leadership and context.”
• “We must not confuse legality with legitimacy when it comes to power concentration.”

Czechia

Participants drew contrasts with Hungary, noting that in the Czech context, institutional processes remain stronger, though concerns exist around civil society suppression through financial control. The executive uses councils to influence civil society’s participation, and though checks and balances exist, their effectiveness is debated. While constitutional hijacking is not occurring in the same way as in Hungary, the balance of power and institutional independence remain hot topics.

Participant Reflections: In their own words

Participants were invited to reflect in the chat on two open questions at the beginning and end of the session:

1. What people remembered or learned:

• Citizens are central to democracy, not just government.
• “Aggrandisement” is a key concept for understanding power shifts.
• Democracy is a living system that requires active care and participation.

2. When asked “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear ‘government’?”
   Responses included:

• “Parliament,” “Big Brother,” “responsibility,” “bureaucracy,” “coalition,” “service delivery,” and “administration of the people.”

3. What should be the role of government?
   Participants envisioned government as:

• A provider of public goods, guardian of justice and equality.
• A listener and enabler of society.
• A responsible leader that protects the vulnerable and represents all citizens.

Democracy in the Digital Age: Introducing the TWIN4DEM Approach

Date: 14 May 2024

TWIN4DEM is seeking participants for the first online focus group that will introduce the project and provide early feedback on the relevance and validity of TWIN4DEM’s conceptual framework. These discussions will contribute to shaping guidelines on how to scale up the integration of Computational Social Science (CSS) methods and further develop DT technology in democracy research in an ethics-driven and inclusive manner.

About TWIN4DEM

TWIN4DEM is an EU-funded research initiative that leverages digital twins and computational methodologies to analyze the risks of democratic erosion in four European countries: Czechia, France, Hungary, and the Netherlands. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the project aims to create participatory policy simulations that help policymakers and civil society organizations strengthen democratic resilience.

Who Can Participate?

We are looking for a diverse group of participants, including:

– Policymakers (local, national, and EU-level decision-makers)

– Civil society representatives (NGOs, advocacy groups, democracy watchdogs)

– Researchers and academics (social scientists, political analysts, data scientists, legal experts)

– Media professionals (journalists, fact-checkers, public communicators)

– Citizens and activists with an interest in democratic governance and digital policy

Focus Group Objectives

Participants will collaborate with the TWIN4DEM team to contribute to the validation of the conceptual model by providing feedback to the model, participating in discussions with the team and contributing relevant data and context. Validation of digital twins on every stage of their development is crucial for the project to ensure TWIN4DEM serves the needs of democracy stakeholders, translates into actionable research evidence for policy and contributes to a more active citizenry.

Format & Timeline 

– Location: Online

– Duration: 2 hours

– Language: English

Why Join? 

– Contribute to cutting-edge democratic research and AI-based governance solutions.

– Engage with an interdisciplinary network of experts and policymakers.

How to Apply? 

Interested participants can express their interest by filling out a short online form. Selected participants will be contacted via email.

Feel free to share this invitation with colleagues, peers, or other contacts whom you believe would bring valuable perspectives to the discussion. We welcome wider participation from individuals whose work or interests align with the themes of democratic resilience and digital governance.

For more information contact us at info@twin4dem.eu & proskurina@democracy-international.org