Canada as a Democratic Connector: Common Goals and Open Questions for Canada, the US, and Europe

As democracies and democratic institutions have come under strain on both sides of the Atlantic, Canada sits between the United States and Europe, with deep ties to both. Where do Canadian civil society, philanthropy, and governments at all levels already connect with democratic actors in the US and the EU, and where are those connections missing? The Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC is commissioning a researcher to identify the opportunities for alignment and collaboration across common pro-democracy goals across the three regions. This work should be seen as the beginning of a conversation and analysis, resulting in thoughtful questions as much as answers.  

Why now 

The United States is experiencing a decline in the strength and resilience of its democracy, and has scaled back its formally funded democracy-support, a trend also occurring and anticipated in parts of the European Union in coming years, even as all trends could also shift back.  

In many ways, Canada sits at the intersection of these developments, especially as the EU considers a yet-to-be-developed associate relationship for Canada. However, the proposed work is not a question about traditional Canadian government foreign aid or multilateral engagement. It is about the ecosystem of government, civil society, communities, and funders - as a peer and partner to democratic actors in the US and Europe. 

Project 

The Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC invites researchers, analysts, and practitioners based in Canada, the US, or the EU to apply for a commissioned report on a central question: 

Where do democratic actors in Canada, the US, and the EU share goals, and what are the most important questions to ask right now about Canada's role in connecting them? 

One researcher or small team will receive a USD $10,000 fee to produce a report of about 15-20 pages, with the possibility of leading future (virtual) convenings/workshops to further explore the questions raised in the research. The Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC will provide graphic design and publication in its corporate design. 

What we are looking for

1. Identifying common goals. Identify where civil society, funders, universities, unions, media, and government at all levels in all three regions already pursue the same goals, such as civic space, press freedom, election integrity, digital governance, and local democracy, and where goals, tools, or legal constraints diverge. Include a light mapping of existing links: who connects with whom, and which connections run only one way or are missing.

2. Questions for right now. Produce a prioritized, open set of questions, each with the supporting evidence gathered so far and what it would take to answer it. An overarching question driving this inquiry should be: Where do Canadian democratic actors connect with their counterparts in the United States and the EU today, where are the gaps, and what would it take to build stronger, more durable ties among all three? Creativity and wide-ranging ideas are welcome, as are preliminary answers. Topics covered might include: 

• What can Canadian actors offer to democratic actors in the US and Europe, and what can they gain in return? Which existing models of cross-border cooperation (city networks, funder collaboratives, research partnerships) could be adapted or expanded? 
• What are the horizontal relationships between organizations and institutions in these countries/regions, including those that support democratic resilience at home?
  
• What could the evolving relationship between Canada and the EU mean for Canada’s role in supporting civil society, including access to programs, networks, funding, and shared standards on rights and digital governance? How does the answer change depending on what the status turns out to be, or whether it materializes?
  
• How would closer EU ties change the way US partners see Canadian support, and the reverse?
  
• What legal, financial, and political obstacles limit cross-border support?
  
• Which roles for Canada hold up whether politics in the US and Europe move further right, stabilize, or swing back?
  
• Where are the notable gaps, whether by sector, region, issue area, or language? Which Canadian actors have little or no connection to peers abroad despite doing similar work? Whose voices are missing? 

3. Potential future convenings: The research should lay the foundation for future discussions with cross cutting actors from Canada, the US, and Europe that create relationships beyond the initial research product. We will revisit this idea in 2027 – this commission itself is not intended to cover any actual convenings.

Deliverables 

• A report summarizing Canada’s current and potential role as a peer and partner in pro-democracy work, especially with regard to the US and the EU. The report should present common goals across democratic spaces in all three regions, identify prioritized questions with supporting evidence, and recommended next steps that allow for multiple potential future political scenarios (focusing on the near term, i.e. next five years). Visuals, such as a map of existing links, are welcome but not a requirement. 
• We particularly welcome creative ideas and innovative narratives that inspire future projects and inspire actors at different levels.
  
• A briefing to our team and partners. 

Applicants should explain how they will build on existing research and mapping of Canadian civil society and democracy rather than duplicate it. 

Eligibility and application

This is a selective commission open to researchers, analysts, practitioners, and small teams with strong knowledge of the Canadian civil society landscape and ideally experience in more than one of the three regions. 

Apply with a 500–750 word proposal covering your approach, how you would choose convening participants, and your relevant experience; a CV or résumé; and a relevant work sample if not included in CV.

Applications will be considered until November 5, 2026. Early applications are encouraged. 

Timeline

A complete draft is to be handed in by 14 December, followed by a swift feedback loop with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC en route to publication. 

Compensation: $10,000