The role of private companies in democracy

¿De qué trata esta convocatoria?

The topic funds research on how large corporations, lobbying groups and other private actors influence democratic processes, and on rules and tools for transparency and accountability. Research is called for, including by social sciences and humanities disciplines, on the links between private companies, lobbying groups and democratic processes.

¿Qué financia esta convocatoria?

Scope

Research, including by social sciences and humanities, should examine the influence of large corporations, business lobbying groups and external private actors on democratic processes and outcomes. In this topic, private companies means large undertakings such as multinational and global corporations, including industry and tech platforms, as opposed to SMEs.

Research areas

• The implications of corporate power for democratic values, diversity, equality, inclusion, human rights and the public interest, including in EU and multilateral decision-making.
• Corporate lobbying, public-private partnerships, corruption, revolving doors and other forms of undue influence.
• Direct interference that goes beyond legitimate involvement, such as amplifying disinformation or normalising extremist or polarising discourse.
• Tools to assess the democratic impact of corporate practices and strategies for responsible corporate behaviour, transparency and accountability.
• Possible themes include the structural power of capital compared with labour and civil society, and the risks and benefits of private sector involvement in citizens' panels and other participatory and deliberative processes.

Approach

Proposals should use a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach and could foster structured dialogue among business actors, citizens, regulators and watchdog organisations.

Expected outcomes

Policymakers better understand corporate influence on democracy and receive evidence-based recommendations on integrity, transparency and anti-corruption rules, while civil society and citizens are better able to hold corporations and policymakers to account.

¿Qué se espera de las propuestas?

• Proposals are encouraged to explore collaboration with other relevant EU-funded projects on the role of private companies in democracy.

¿Cuándo termina el plazo?

23 de septiembre de 2027 (321 días)

23 September 2027 (single-stage). The planned opening date is 13 May 2027.