Democratic Engagement Fund

There is no single cause of democratic disengagement. Evidence, including from Electoral Commission and academic research, shows that a range of interrelated factors can influence whether people participate in democratic life. These barriers are often motivational, such as low political self-efficacy or low trust in institutions. These barriers are often connected to a real or perceived lack of knowledge, experience or understanding on how to participate. They can be experienced more frequently, or more acutely by certain groups, including young people, disabled people, and those who move home frequently.

The Democratic Engagement Fund seeks to build the evidence base on interventions that can have a positive impact. It will support civil society organisations to test and deliver place-based, politically neutral interventions that address these barriers and build understanding, confidence and participation among groups that have historically been less engaged in democracy.