What Denmark’s Folkemødet can teach us about rebuilding trust in democracy

This summer, I visited Folkemødet, Denmark’s annual democracy festival held in the coastal town of Allinge on the island of Bornholm. It’s a place where citizens, politicians, NGOs, and businesses gather in a relaxed, open-air setting to engage in democratic dialogue and debate.

What struck me most wasn’t just the scale – over 2,500 events and tens of thousands of participants – but the tone. Disagreements were aired, but rarely did they descend into hostility. The environment – sunshine, sea breeze, and informal spaces – seemed to soften the edges of political conflict. It made me wonder: does the setting shape the spirit of our democratic conversations?

In Scotland, our democratic spaces are often formal, adversarial, and disconnected from everyday life. Trust in our institutions – parliament, government, political parties – is in decline. Westminster’s electoral systems distort representation, and many feel unheard. But Folkemødet reminded me that democracy is not just about structures, it’s about relationships, rituals, and place.

Lessons for Scotland

1. Democracy Needs Place
   Folkemødet is rooted in a physical space that invites openness. Could we imagine a Scottish equivalent – perhaps on one of our islands – where citizens and leaders gather annually to talk about the future? A “Scottish Folkemødet” could be a civic ritual to reconnect people with politics.

2. Trust is Built Through Proximity
   When politicians sit beside citizens on hay bales rather than behind podiums, something shifts. We need formats that break down hierarchy and foster genuine dialogue. Scotland’s Citizens’ Assembly, launched in 2019, was a step in this direction, and now we are working with others to see if local assemblies like the one we are piloting in Dunfermline could become part of the everyday fabric of governance.

3. Electoral Reform is Only Part of the Puzzle
   The Electoral Reform Society has long argued for proportional representation, and rightly so. But we also need civic infrastructure, such as festivals, assemblies, and forums, that make democracy feel real and inclusive.

4. Responding to Distrust Means Reimagining Democracy
   A major study from the University of Southampton shows that trust in representative institutions is falling across democracies, including the UK. Yet, support for democratic ideals remains high. This suggests that people aren’t rejecting democracy, they’re rejecting how it’s currently practised.

Looking Back to Move Forward

Scotland has a proud history of civic mobilisation. The Scottish Constitutional Convention, formed in 1989, brought together parties, churches, and civic groups to shape the framework for devolution. It was messy, imperfect, but it worked – because it was rooted in dialogue and shared purpose.

Folkemødet offers a modern echo of that spirit. It’s a reminder that democracy can be joyful, messy, and deeply human. In Scotland, we have the creativity, the community spirit, and the hunger for change. Maybe it’s time we built our own spaces—literal and metaphorical—where democracy can grow and flourish.

Full version available on Electoral Reform Society website