DIGI-ENLARGE: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION FOR BUILDING DEMOCRATIC RESILIENCE
Horizon Europe Framework Programme
Project: 101286675– DIGI-ENLARGE (2026-2029)
The DIGI-ENLARGE project investigates the dynamic interplay between digital transformation and democratization in the context of EU enlargement, with a particular focus on how digitalization can strengthen democratic resilience, policy convergence, and institutional reforms in the EU’s neighborhood and candidate countries. As digital governance becomes increasingly central to the EU’s political and societal fabric, this project aims to explore how digital tools, infrastructures, regulatory frameworks, and normative standards can actively support democratization processes, especially in sectors that were previously less affected by digital advancements during past enlargement waves.
DIGI-ENLARGE draws lessons from prior accessions while introducing and piloting innovative civic digital tools designed to engage citizens in candidate countries, boost public trust in democratic institutions, and promote core EU values. The project addresses critical themes at the crossroads of digitalization and democracy, including digital democracy, civic education, migration management, media freedom, gender equality, and the digital economy, all analyzed in light of the evolving EU acquis and the European Democracy Action Plan.
The initiative brings together a diverse consortium of partners from EU Member States and candidate countries, encompassing Jean Monnet Chairs, NGOs, public authorities, academic institutions, and technology developers. DIGI-ENLARGE integrates scenario planning, participatory platforms, digital civic education modules, and comparative policy analysis to craft forward-looking strategies for future enlargements. In doing so, it supports the EU’s strategic objective of fostering a digitally enabled, inclusive, and democratic European neighborhood, laying the groundwork for more resilient and values-aligned integration processes.
Project goals:
The goal of DIGI-ENLARGEMENT is to strengthen democratic resilience and ensure that both the European Union and its candidate countries are adequately prepared for future rounds of enlargement in an era defined by digital transformation. Consequently, the project sets out three interconnected objectives that together address the institutional, technological, and societal dimensions of the challenge.
First, it will generate a robust evidence base through comparative research on previous enlargements and current accession trajectories, with particular attention to how digitalization is reshaping governance, democratic participation, and the relationship between citizens and institutions. Rather than treating past enlargements as direct digital precedents, the project uses them as a comparative baseline to identify structural democratic dynamics, such as trust in institutions, patterns of participation, and media pluralism that have acquired new forms in digital environments. This enables a function-based comparison, where similar democratic challenges are analysed across different technological contexts, thereby linking historical enlargement processes with current digital transformations.
Second, it will design and pilot innovative civic engagement tools, most notably a multilingual, digital participation platform, that empower citizens, especially ender, young people and marginalized groups, to take an active role in debates around EU integration, democratic values, and resilience against disinformation.
Third, the project will strengthen capacities for long-term democratic resilience by developing tailored civic education and media literacy modules while also producing a comprehensive policy toolkit containing recommendations, legal templates, and engagement strategies for both EU and national policymakers.
The project is funded by the European Union and will be implemented by an international consortium comprising 10 partner organizations. Tallinn University of Technology serves as the project coordinator.
- Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia
- SCiDEV – Center Science and Innovation for Development , Albania
- Mediacentar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- University of Wroclaw (UWr), Poland
- Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto (FIS), Slovenia
- University of Montenegro (UoM), Montenegro
- Moldova State University (MSU), Moldova
- Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University (NLU), Ukraine
- Shota Rustaveli State University (RSU), Georgia
- Galatasaray University (GSU), Turkey
Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University is the project partner from Georgia, where the initiative will be carried out by the Jean Monnet Chair (EUCONST) at the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences.
Project leader:
Malkhaz Nakashidze, professor, Jean Monnet Chair, Senior Researcher
Project staff:
Giorgi Chakhvadze, PhD in law – Junior Researcher
Magda Japharidze, PhD candidate – Junior Researcher