Democracy Defence Hub
A strong civil society is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy. Yet across Europe and beyond, it is increasingly under attack. An emboldened far right, often aligned with conservative allies, is shrinking civic space: NGOs face smear campaigns and funding cuts, activists are persecuted, and journalists silenced. At the same time, efforts to undermine the rule of law and fundamental rights signal a broader democratic backsliding.
In recent years, far-right movements have seized public discourse through coordinated strategies and the ruthless use of digital platforms, spreading disinformation and discrediting democratic institutions. This transnational effort has had real consequences for our freedoms and way of life.
By understanding and exposing how the far right spreads propaganda, radicalises narratives, and weakens institutions from within, we can shift from reacting to resisting. Democracy will not defend itself—but we can.
ANTI-AUTHORITARIAN TOOLKIT SERIES
Materials developed by D-HUB, shared in partnership with the Greens/EFA Group. D-HUB is a community of democracy defenders committed to work together to defeat authoritarians, wherever they are.
D-HUB has developed the following toolkit designed to help confront authoritarian tactics head-on. Twenty-first-century authoritarian leaders follow a clear playbook. It’s not a formula or a recipe but a dynamic set of strategies and tactics deployed across different contexts.
Twenty-first-century authoritarian leaders follow a clear playbook. It’s not a formula or a recipe but a dynamic set of strategies and tactics deployed across different contexts.
In response, D-HUB started to crack open their playbook and crafted something powerful: an ANTI-AUTHORITARIAN TOOLKIT. Developed with insights from frontline democracy defenders, scholars, and strategists, this series is packed with the most effective plays to counter elected authoritarianism and safeguard our democracies.
This Toolkit is not a silver bullet. It’s a catalyst designed to ignite your vision and creativity as you confront the challenges ahead. Its plays are archetypal but open to innovation and adaptation to the local context of those who use them.
See D-Hub for more information https://dhub.org/
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COME TO OUR EVENTS
If you want to be part of a community of curious citizens who care about democracy and human rights, join us at our events to exchange and share ideas and opinions!
BRUSSELS | 17.03.2026
Can a founding member of the EU afford to turn its back on its own democratic values? Is the right to dissent becoming a crime in the heart of Europe? Is Italian democracy sleepwalking into a new era of authoritarianism? As the far-right government tightens its grip, Italian democracy faces a dangerous turning point. From the alarming use of spyware against journalists to repressive “Security Decrees” designed to criminalize activists and stifle the right to protest, the foundations of the rule of law are under systematic attack
BRUSSELS / 0.11.2025
This conference seeks to bring together various feminist fighters and thinkers to create new narratives and to strategise together for a feminist future in the face of fascism. We aim to make the EP a space for collective reflection, networking, sharing of struggles and tools to face fascism and far-right movements from a feminist perspective.
SILENCING STRATEGIES OF THE FAR RIGHT - AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO STOP THEM
Far-right groups are using organised, dangerous tactics – especially online – to spread lies, create fear, and weaken the systems that protect our rights. This isn’t just happening in one country; it’s a global threat that’s putting our freedoms and way of life in danger. But we can fight back – by exposing their methods, we can stand up for democracy and protect what matters most.
Download our brochure below and share it with a friend!
Who is concerned about the deteriorating Rule of Law in Hungary?
On the initiative of Greens/EFA Members of the European Parliament, the deteriorating rule of law in Hungary is of great concern to the European Parliament. In multiple resolutions the European Parliament has voiced those concerns and is calling on the EU Member States to act.
These resolutions are usually adopted with a large majority of Greens/EFA, christian democrats, social democrats liberals and Left. National conservatives and the far right have voted against.
Is there corruption in the EU Parliament?
We advocate for robust measures to combat corruption in the EU institutions, particularly in light of scandals like ‘Qatargate’. The Group calls for meaningful reforms to ensure the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and professional integrity within the European Parliament. We stress the importance of public scrutiny, democratic oversight, and full transparency in the revision of ethics rules, whistleblower protection, lobby transparency, and enforcement of sanctions. Additionally, we propose concrete actions such as establishing an independent ethics body, enhancing whistleblower protection, reforming the transparency register, and enforcing strict sanctions for rule violations. We aim to strengthen democracy, integrity, and citizens’ participation in Europe through comprehensive reforms, including electoral law changes, treaty amendments, and regulations on political campaigning and party financing. Our Group advocates for respect for EU law, rapid action on violations, and full transparency in handling infringement procedures.
How can we stop push backs at EU borders?
Push backs are illegal attempts to stop migrants and refugees from reaching the EU. To stop push backs at EU borders, we advocate for a welcoming Europe, with a migration policy grounded in human rights and solidarity. We condemn the violence, arbitrary detention, and pushbacks migrants face at EU borders, emphasising the need for safe and regular migration channels.
The Greens oppose agreements with authoritarian regimes aimed at preventing people from arriving, advocating instead for policies that uphold the right to seek asylum and respect the human rights of migrants. We criticise right-wing narratives that scapegoat migrants and advocate for comprehensive policies addressing societal and economic challenges.
We believe that fulfilling human rights obligations, like refugee protection, and building inclusive societies will uphold European values and enrich societies culturally and economically. We oppose the recent reforms of the Common European Asylum System, which we see as even more repressive than the current system and failing to uphold migrants’ rights. We call for an end to EU funding for countries engaging in human rights violations at borders and urges the European Commission to take action against such practices.