The Dutch Democracy Coalition is a partnership of Dutch NGOs committed to strengthening and defending democracy in the Netherlands and beyond. At the end of 2022, the coalition launched the manifesto Democracy under Pressure, followed by the Democracy Agenda 2025 (Dutch) at the end of 2024.
Our democracy is fragile
The problem
The tendency of some members of the House of Representatives and the government to make it increasingly difficult to voice criticism is particularly worrying. The so-called countervailing power – which is crucial in a well-functioning democracy – is at risk of being increasingly restricted. For example, by making it more difficult to demonstrate, to go to court if the government does not keep its own agreements, or by stopping funding for civil society organisations. On the other hand, distrust of politics is growing in society and a growing proportion of the Dutch population feels that their voices are not being heard.
What we do
To defend and strengthen democracy, the Dutch Democracy Coalition is working in three working groups on the following pillars of democracy:
- The Democratic Rule of Law
- Public and Political Participation
- Media and Digitisation
In addition, we will launch a public campaign around the municipal elections in 2026 and the coalition will regularly send out Democracy Updates.
Advisory committee
The advisory committee of the Nederlandse Democratie Coalitie consists of:
- PAX
- Nederlands Helsinki Comité
- The Hague Academy for Local Governance
- Meer Democratie
- Foundation Max van der Stoel
- Defend Democracy
- Free Press Unlimited
Partners
Contact
Guido de Graaf Bierbrauwer, bierbrauwer@paxforpeace.nl