TWIN4DEM Launches to Combat Democratic Erosion in Europe
Rotterdam, February 2025 – The TWIN4DEM project has launched to address democratic challenges in Europe. Funded by a €3 million Horizon Europe grant, it brings together 11 partners to explore how digital twin technology can analyze and counteract democratic decline.
Why is This Relevant?
Many European democracies face "executive aggrandizement", where governments consolidate power. Traditional research struggles to capture its complexity. TWIN4DEM applies Computational Social Science (CSS) techniques—natural language processing, data aggregation, and dynamic simulations—to reveal and mitigate these threats.
Research and Impact
TWIN4DEM will develop digital twins of political systems in Czechia, France, Hungary, and the Netherlands. These models simulate scenarios to help researchers and policymakers assess risks and test interventions.
Project leads Dr. Clara Egger and Dr. Asya Zhelyazkova of Erasmus University Rotterdam emphasize an interdisciplinary approach, combining political science, ethics, and computer science to provide practical tools for policymakers.
Insights from the Kickoff Meeting
Held at Erasmus University, the event gathered experts to discuss digital twin development, detecting executive aggrandizement, and ethical data management. A live-streamed panel at the Erasmus Education Lab explored how digital twins can enhance democratic resilience. Partners also visited the Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics (ECDA) to examine past applications of digital twins in research.
Next Steps
TWIN4DEM’s consortium includes 11 partners from across Europe. The project now moves forward with building digital twins to analyze democratic erosion and test policy solutions.
Stay Connected
Follow TWIN4DEM on LinkedIn and BlueSky, and visit twin4dem.eu.
