The European Commission's Horizon Europe Programme has announced a call titled "The autocratic appeal: nature, drivers and strategies" under the 'Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society' cluster for 2025. This initiative seeks to deepen the understanding of the rising autocratic tendencies globally, including within established democracies. It aims to explore the nature and drivers of authoritarianism, such as digital authoritarianism, erosion of human rights, dissemination of disinformation, undermining of the rule of law, and suppression of political opposition. The call encourages research into the social and psychological factors contributing to the appeal of autocracy and the historical contexts that may shed light on current trends. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of investigating resistance strategies against autocratisation, including the roles of media literacy, culture, creativity, and the arts in countering these tendencies. A significant focus is placed on understanding how increased autocracy correlates with setbacks in gender equality and the adoption of gender-equality reforms by autocratic regimes to enhance their international image. The call also addresses the phenomenon of digital authoritarianism, urging proposals to analyze the configurations of actors involved and the challenges faced by those resisting such practices. Ultimately, the goal is to equip policymakers, public authorities, journalists, and citizens with scientific knowledge, methods, and tools to identify, resist, and combat autocratic tendencies, thereby strengthening democratic resilience.

Opening: 15 May 2025
Deadline(s): 16 Sep 2025