Building Inclusive Democracies: MPG Unveils the Political Participation Policy Index 2024
The Political Participation Policy Index 2024, titled “A Seat at the Table?”, is a pioneering initiative by MPG’s New Europeans Initiative aimed at evaluating and benchmarking the inclusivity of political participation policies across the 27 EU member states. The report highlights the critical role of civic engagement in fostering inclusive democracies while pointing out significant gaps in migrant political participation policies, one of the weakest areas of integration efforts.
This groundbreaking report assesses political participation policies through eight dimensions, such as voting rights, access to citizenship, representation in political life, and civic education. It ranks countries based on their adherence to international standards, with Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland, and Finland emerging as leaders, while Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary lag behind.
The findings reveal a fragmented landscape of political inclusion across Europe, with limited efforts to promote voting, encourage naturalisation, or support migrant-led civil societies. The report provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, including adopting comprehensive strategies, expanding voting rights, simplifying participation processes, and fostering civic education tailored to diverse societies.
By integrating rigorous research and showcasing best practices, the report offers a roadmap for governments and communities to address these gaps, making democracy more inclusive for all residents. The New Europeans Initiative calls for urgent action to ensure every voice is heard and valued in Europe’s democratic processes.
MPG’s Head of Research Dr. Başak Yavçan introduces Political Participation Policy Index 2024 “A Seat at the Table?” and highlights its main findings:
Watch the Political Participation Index 2024 launch webinar:
Policy Brief
Authors
Dr. Başak Yavçan
Head of Research
Sinem Yilmaz
Integration Policy Analyst
Marianna Gorgerino
Research Intern
About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.