Sophie Woodville

This session will discuss the effect of online tools (mis)use on citizen trust and participation in democracy, as well as strategies to counter misinformation and to promote digital media literacy. On the background of the EU Democracy Shield initiative, cities will exchange their experiences and discuss approaches to better respond to threats, and to continue enabling citizen participation in offline and online spaces.

This session will examine how disinformation challenges democratic processes at the local level, analyzing recent campaigns that have disrupted local governance and exploring technological and policy-based countermeasures. We'll discuss collaborative frameworks between government, civil society, and technology providers to establish actionable strategies for building digital resilience in urban communities while preserving open information ecosystems essential to democratic participation.

As cities strive toward decarbonization, the energy revolution use is reshaping urban life. What role do decentralized energy models, smart grids and renewables play in meeting rising power demands while enhancing energy efficiency? From energy sources to storage, this session will introduce what innovative energy systems cities are adopting to meet cities’ needs and power a more sustainable urban future.