What we do

We aspire to build a world where everyone belongs. And we believe that the best way to make that aspiration a reality is through strong democratic systems that foster visibility, inclusion, agency, and connection. But democracies in Europe and North America today are straining under the weight of toxic fragmentation, high mistrust towards faltering public institutions, and the scapegoating of marginalized communities—divisions that are all-too-often cultivated and exploited by authoritarian populist leaders and movements to degrade democratic norms to consolidate power. 

The Democracy & Belonging Forum is a network and research hub that connects and resources civic actors in Europe and North America to counter authoritarian populism and advance democracy rooted in belonging through bridging approaches. We recognize both that othering can’t be countered through more othering and that democracy rooted in belonging means engaging with those different from ourselves—and are committed to grappling with the tensions inherent in both seeking to counter injustice while building bridges towards a larger “Us”.