The Team Europe Democracy (TED) Network Working Group (WG) 2 on Political and Civic Participation aims to improve policies, programming and coordination on political and civic participation to increase the impact of democracy support globally and in partner countries. 

The Working Group is chaired by two EU Member States (Finland and Belgium) and supported by DG INTPA. It also benefits from the expertise of its five thematic leads: the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), the European Association for Development Research (EADI), Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), the Experts in Democracy, Governance and Elections (EDGE) Foundation and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) - WG 2 boasts a diverse membership of 70 stakeholders. This includes representation from the European Commission, EU Member States (MS), civil society organisations (ranging from think tanks, NGOs to research centres), as well as platforms of local governments actively engaged in advancing democracy and human rights in partner countries.

Since its inception in September 2023, WG2 has been implementing its 2023-2024 workplan, focusing on four thematic priorities identified by its members, through a bottom-up approach: 

- Facilitating inclusive participation for women, youth, marginalised communities and minorities, and persons with disabilities. 
- Strengthening civic space in partner countries. 
- Strengthening local democratic governance, with an emphasis on citizen engagement. 
- Exploring the dynamics between citizens and institutions (political parties and parliaments) in-between elections.

Having wrapped up its work on inclusive participation, WG 2 shifts its attention to addressing the shrinking of civic space, both politically and operationally.  The geographical focus centres on six partner countries: Senegal, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Tunisia, Colombia, and the Philippines. The aim is to identify best practices, key challenges, and evidence-based recommendations to counteract the restriction of civic engagement. 

In the second half of 2024, the WG2 will focus on enhancing local democratic governance, especially in terms of civic engagement. Moreover, it will develop practical recommendations designed to improve the efficacy of interventions and distribute them among WG members for implementation into their projects in partner countries.