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Strengthen the Voices of Remote Places and Rural Areas, Romania, Brasov, 10 March 2026

The National Union of County Councils of Romania (UNCJR) organized the international workshop “Strengthen the Voices of Remote Places and Rural Areas” in Brașov on March 10, 2026, within the European project ProVote, funded under CERV 2025 – Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values. The event brought together experts, representatives of local public administrations, journalists, and European organizations to discuss concrete ways to increase democratic participation in rural communities and remote areas.



The event took place at Transilvania University of Brașov and included thematic presentations, interactive discussions, and participatory exercises aimed at identifying the barriers that prevent citizens from rural communities and disadvantaged areas from participating in European elections, while also proposing innovative solutions to strengthen their civic engagement.

The opening of the event was delivered by Sorin Munteanu, Director General of UNCJR, who emphasized the importance of involving local communities in the European democratic process.

“European democracy becomes stronger when every community, no matter how small or isolated, feels that its voice matters and is heard,” he stated.

During the thematic sessions, Andra Diaconescu, Editor-in-Chief of Euronews Romania, addressed the role of information and media in mobilizing citizens and increasing interest in democratic participation.

Participants discussed the current challenges of political communication and the need for clearer messages that are closer to local realities.

“In a healthy democracy, accurate and accessible information is the first step toward participation. Without it, citizens cannot understand how European decisions affect them,” she emphasized.

Next, Emanuel Cernat, strategic communication expert, analyzed the main obstacles affecting participation in European elections in rural communities and vulnerable areas. These include limited access to information about European institutions, geographical distance from urban centers, weak infrastructure, and low levels of trust in institutions.

“Democracy is not something we permanently inherit. It is something we must practice. Electoral participation is one of the most important ways through which citizens make their voices heard,” said Emanuel Cernat.

Dr. Ștefan Cibian, researcher and Executive Director of the Făgăraș Research Institute, highlighted the role of local communities in increasing political participation and strengthening the connection between citizens and European institutions. He also stressed the need for the European Union to be more present and better connected to the realities of small communities.

“Community life happens within the community. That is why local authorities and community organizations play an essential role in connecting the voices of villages and small towns with European decision-making,” he explained.

Interactive sessions and ideas to increase voter participation

The workshop also included two interactive sessions designed to directly engage participants in identifying solutions to increase democratic participation in rural communities.

The first interactive session was facilitated by Andra Diaconescu and Emanuel Cernat, in the form of a Reverse Brainstorming Workshop, where participants critically and creatively analyzed the reasons why citizens from rural communities or remote areas participate less in European elections.

Following the discussions, one of the ideas that best summarized the participants’ conclusions was captured in the expression “Europe touches you.”

The concept refers to the need for citizens to become aware of the concrete impact of the European Union on the development of their communities. Participants suggested that projects funded through European funds should be visibly marked with plaques or informational elements, enabling residents to more easily identify investments supported by the EU.

During the discussions, an “out of the box” idea was also proposed: the possibility that the number of Members of the European Parliament allocated to each Member State could be linked to voter turnout, as a way to stimulate electoral mobilization and encourage local authorities to actively promote democratic participation.

European data on electoral participation

Continuing the discussions, Nicolas Reynès, coordinator of Partenalia, presented the results of a survey conducted in several European countries, including Romania, Spain, Germany, and Greece, regarding the perception of citizens from rural areas about European elections.

The study shows that interest in democratic participation exists, but political communication needs to be simpler, clearer, and more relevant at the local level.

“Citizens are willing to participate, but they need to see the connection between European decisions and their everyday lives,” explained Nicolas Reynès.

José Miguel Pérez Blecua, mayor of the municipality of San Xoán de Río (Spain), also spoke, presenting several examples of good practices from the region he represents. He highlighted how local administrations can contribute to strengthening civic participation and bringing citizens closer to the European democratic process. He emphasized the importance of local initiatives and community involvement in projects that capitalize on the opportunities offered by the European Union for the development of rural areas.

Dialogue with participants through the Slido platform

The second interactive session was facilitated by Mădălina Trandafir, UNCJR representative, using the Slido platform. Participants were invited to contribute ideas and solutions on how citizens in rural communities can be better informed and motivated to participate in the European democratic process.

The results of this session highlighted the need for clearer communication that is closer to the realities of local communities, as well as the importance of involving local actors—authorities, community organizations, and local leaders—in promoting civic participation.

The workshop demonstrated that democratic participation does not depend only on electoral campaigns, but also on trust, clear communication, and the involvement of local communities.




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