A major international research initiative is set to explore the growing link between economic inequality and declining support for democracy across Europe.
Backed by €3 million in funding from the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme, the three-year project—known as EDGE (Enhancing Democratic Support under Conditions of Geographic and Intersectional Inequalities in Europe)—brings together experts from 10 institutions across eight countries, including the UK, Germany, Greece, Poland and Denmark.
The study is co-led by Professor Sofia Vasilopoulou of King’s College London and Professor Alexia Katsanidou from the Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences. Their work will examine how widening economic gaps may be weakening public trust in democratic systems.
Concerns about “democratic backsliding” have intensified in recent years, with critics pointing to declining media independence, weakened checks on government power, and challenges to the rule of law in parts of Europe. Researchers involved in the EDGE project argue that economic frustration is increasingly being used by political actors to justify policies that undermine democratic norms.
The project will investigate both measurable inequality—such as income and wealth disparities—and the more personal perception of unfairness among citizens. It will also look at how these factors play out across different regions, from thriving urban centres to economically struggling areas, as well as among groups defined by age, gender and social class.
Researchers will carry out surveys in six countries, analyse 20 years of media coverage, and test targeted communication strategies designed to shift public narratives. These campaigns are expected to reach up to 10 million people online.
Professor Vasilopoulou will oversee key scientific aspects of the project, including a dedicated research stream examining the relationship between inequality and democratic attitudes.
Ultimately, the team aims to provide policymakers with practical tools to reinforce democratic resilience. Their findings are expected to contribute to the European Democracy Shield, an EU initiative focused on protecting democratic institutions from both internal and external pressures. Photo by Happysimon, Wikimedia commons.