Report on “Democratization at Stake: Gender Equality Norms, Backlash, and Policy Futures” (Brussels, June 9-10, 2026)

Democratization at Stake: Gender Equality Norms, Backlash, and Policy Futures

On 9–10 June 2026, members of the COST Action Democratization at Stake gathered in Brussels for a two-day stakeholder event dedicated to examining the growing challenges posed by anti-gender politics and discussing pathways for strengthening democratic resilience and gender equality across Europe. Bringing together researchers, civil society organisations, policy experts, and early-career scholars, the event created a unique space for dialogue between academic knowledge production and policy practice.

The first day opened with a keynote address by Professor Marianna Muravyeva (University of Helsinki), who highlighted the importance of understanding anti-gender politics not as a marginal phenomenon but as a central challenge to democratic governance. Her presentation underscored the role of research in identifying emerging threats to gender equality and in developing evidence-based responses capable of strengthening democratic institutions and social resilience.

The keynote was followed by a panel showcasing comparative perspectives from Central and Eastern Europe. Presentations explored anti-gender mobilisations in the South Caucasus, digital activism and backlash in Eastern Europe, the effects of austerity on gender equality institutions, and the instrumentalisation of gender equality within broader processes of democratic backsliding in the Western Balkans. Together, these contributions demonstrated both the diversity of anti-gender actors and the transnational dynamics that connect local developments across the region.

The afternoon programme shifted attention towards policy responses and civil society strategies. Vincent Reilion (Forbidden Colours) delivered a policy keynote examining norm diffusion, backlash politics, and contemporary European policy responses. His presentation highlighted the importance of maintaining strong alliances between researchers, policymakers, and advocacy organisations in order to respond effectively to increasingly coordinated anti-gender campaigns.

The subsequent panel brought together representatives of leading civil society organisations working on gender equality (European Women’s Lobby) and LGBTQI+ rights (IGLYO). Discussions focused on advocacy strategies, youth activism, coalition-building, and organisational resilience in increasingly contested political environments. Speakers reflected on both the challenges and opportunities created by current political developments, emphasising the importance of transnational solidarity and sustained engagement with democratic institutions.

The second day was dedicated to collaborative policy development through an interactive Policy Lab. Participants worked together on drafting a policy brief. The workshop format encouraged interdisciplinary exchange and allowed participants to identify future research priorities, policy recommendations, and opportunities for collaboration across countries and sectors.

Throughout the event, participants repeatedly returned to a central theme: anti-gender politics cannot be understood solely as a challenge to gender equality. Rather, they represent a broader challenge to democratic values, pluralism, and inclusive citizenship. Addressing these developments therefore requires both robust scholarly analysis and sustained cooperation between academia, civil society, and policymakers.

The Brussels stakeholder event demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary and cross-sector dialogue in addressing complex societal challenges. By connecting research findings with practical experiences and policy expertise, the event contributed to the COST Action's broader mission of generating knowledge that supports democratic resilience and more inclusive futures.

The organisers thank all speakers, chairs, participants, and partner organisations for their valuable contributions and look forward to continuing these conversations through future COST Action activities and collaborations.