Anjinho Urges Fair, Transparent Democratic Innovation
The EU Ombudswoman spoke at the Innovation in Politics Awards 2026 in Cascais, Portugal, on democratic renewal.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Civic Engagement
European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho called for democratic innovation rooted in fairness and transparency at the Innovation in Politics Awards 2026 in Cascais, Portugal, which represented 80 projects. Her remarks were published by the office of the European Ombudsman on Friday.
Why it matters
Democratic innovation is described as finding new and better ways to put democratic values into practice, an effort the awards were designed to highlight. The message frames inclusion, the defence of democracy, and technology as central areas of focus for public institutions.
The Innovation in Politics Awards 2026 represented 80 projects, and the European Ombudsman's office held the fifth edition of its Award for Good Administration. No vote counts, funding figures, or award winners are stated in the source material.
The players
Teresa Anjinho
Teresa Anjinho is the European Ombudswoman, the EU official who investigates complaints about maladministration in EU institutions and bodies.
European Ombudsman
The European Ombudsman is an EU body that investigates complaints about maladministration in EU institutions and bodies, and it runs the Award for Good Administration.
The details
Anjinho identified inclusion, the defence and strengthening of democracy, and technology as three areas of focus in her remarks at the ceremony. Cascais, designated the European Capital of Democracy 2026, hosted the event, and a transparent digital system in Ukraine was cited as helping families rebuild homes damaged by the war.
Timeline
Remarks published by the office of the European Ombudsman on November 3, 2026.
Civic Engagement Context
The event continues the European Ombudsman's Award for Good Administration, now in its fifth edition, which recognizes public administration practices. Anjinho's call for democratic innovation ties that program to wider efforts to strengthen civic participation across Europe.
Public institutions are being urged to adopt transparent digital systems and fair administrative practices. Residents interacting with EU bodies may see these principles reflected in how complaints and public services are handled.
The takeaway
Democratic renewal depends on fairness and transparency in how institutions serve the public. Citizens and officials alike can judge public bodies by whether their processes are open and inclusive.
Further reading
Explore more stories on Civic Engagement to see how democratic participation is being rebuilt across institutions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brusselstimes.
