Our Story
CEE Digital Democracy Watch, a non-profit organisation registered in Warsaw during the pivotal election year of 2024, is dedicated to navigating the intersection of digital regulation and freedom of expression in modern democracies.
We recognise the ongoing tension between the need for international digital regulations and the preservation of free speech. States face significant challenges in balancing governmental oversight with curbing the power of major online platforms, leading to issues at both extremes — ranging from the spread of online abuse and hate speech to instances of over-censorship.
These challenges are global in scope. We have actively participated in numerous tech and democracy policy processes within Poland, the European Union, the OECD, and the G20. The decisions made by these international bodies play a crucial role in shaping our region’s capacity to combat foreign interference and malicious disinformation campaigns.
Learn more about us:
Since 2024, our team has worked to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of digital democracy.
Election Monitoring
We monitored online political advertising spending across ten countries during the 2024 European Parliament elections. This work continues with the 2025 Polish presidential election, where we provide weekly reports on campaign spending and monthly updates on the Polish information sphere.
Educational and Policy Events
We have hosted ten educational and policy events across seven countries, attracting over 200 participants, including NGO representatives, high-level government officials, embassy staff, and academics. Our discussions have been featured at forums such as the Three Seas Summit, Campus Polska, and the Economic Forum in Karpacz.
Public Consultations and Agenda Setting
We have successfully influenced public consultations and contributed to key agenda-setting processes, including:
- The European Commission’s Guidelines for Online Election Integrity
- Polish EU Council Presidency Priorities
- The European Commission’s Consultation on the Protection of Minors
- The Oversight Board Consultation on Racial Slurs in Poland
Working Groups
We actively participate in international working groups, such as the European Commission’s Code of Practice on Disinformation, the GPAI Code of Practice, and the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs’ GRAI on Democracy and Rule of Law. Our efforts extend to partnerships with the Global Democracy Coalition, the A4E Counter Disinformation Network, and the European Democracy Shield.
