Undoing the Illiberal Damage: A Democratic Guide to Reversing Democratic Backsliding

Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) Vienna

Project financed by Wacław Felczak Institute (Poland)

Following the 2023 parliamentary elections, Poland has emerged as a key point of reference for countries seeking to understand the process of restoring democratic institutions and the rule of law after a period of significant erosion, including the challenges involved and the means available. Poland’s experience in countering illiberal reforms through democratic processes is drawing considerable attention from civil society, opposition actors, and NGOs in Hungary. The relevance of Poland’s trajectory also extends to other Central European countries, such as Slovakia, which is eager to draw lessons from the Polish case.

The project will create a structured platform for Poland, Hungary, and other Central European countries to share experiences and best practices on how to reverse illiberal reforms through democratic methods. Its main goal is to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law in the region. To achieve this, the project will bring together experts, policymakers, civil society representatives, and academics in a dedicated workshop. Based on these discussions, it will produce a policy paper and a final report outlining specific, realistic, and time-bound recommendations. These outputs will focus on practical measures that can be implemented to achieve tangible democratic improvements.

Funding:

Wacław Felczak Institute (Poland)

Duration:

15 October – 31 December 2025

Project manager:

Malwina Talik

Project team:

Malwina Talik, Péter Techet, Julia Mits