The Follow-Up on Recommendations’ Implementation Conference (FURIC) returns in 2025, bringing together election experts, civil society, and policymakers to assess and advance the implementation of electoral recommendations across Europe and beyond.
23 September 2025
24 September 2025
Registration & Updates
Stay tuned for the announcement and detailed program.
In the meantime, we encourage you to revisit the key moments and FURIC 2024 Concluding Document available here.
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*About registration:
Please note that, due to limited capacity, completing the registration does not guarantee attendance. You will receive an official confirmation and further information about the event by mid-August.
Rest assured, we are working hard to make it possible for as many participants as possible to attend the conference.
If you require additional time to apply for a visa, please inform us as early as possible so we can assist with the necessary documentation. However, please note that we are unable to assist with travel planning.
The year 2024 was marked by an unprecedented number of elections, including significant ones in the United States and the European Union. Equally unprecedented was the scale of threats to election integrity, driven by disinformation, cyberattacks, foreign covert operations, and physical violence. Awareness of these hybrid threats to democratic elections – and their impact on the security of countries and societies – has grown in both established and emerging democracies. It has become critical for election stakeholders to assess these risks and adapt electoral systems to counter such hybrid threats effectively.
In this panel, speakers will discuss strategies to combat hybrid threats in recent elections and outline the next steps needed to adapt electoral systems to evolving challenges. They will specifically address anticipated trends in electoral reform, driven by recommendations from election observers, and the vital role of civil society in reinforcing democratic electoral processes
This session will discuss how to promote a comprehensive framework for the follow-up and implementation of electoral recommendations to ensure that democratic elections enhance international security. It should reflect the questions whether there is a wider interest among democratic states to improve the framework for the follow-up on recommendations process and what the potential instruments for strengthening the process might be. Speakers will explore synergies between state and non-state actors, including technology companies, to advocate for enhanced electoral reforms and collaborate in preventing and countering hybrid threats to democracy.
What actions should be taken, and by which actors, to improve the framework for follow-up and implementation of electoral recommendations in light of evolving technologies, disinformation, and the growing challenges posed by hybrid threats?
Where are the potential synergies between state and non-state actors in addressing hybrid threats through electoral reforms? What limitations do these actors face?
How can we anticipate future challenges during electoral reforms, especially given the rapid pace of technological advancements?
How can technology companies contribute to reforming electoral processes to better counter hybrid threats?
Recommendations and reforms are rooted in the findings of election observers. This roundtable discussion will explore ways to enhance observation methodologies to improve the accuracy and rigor of these findings. While hybrid threats often leverage technological advancements, many electoral stakeholders remain consistent, operating within traditional election structures. As a result, certain observation tools, such as a focus on human rights and in-depth analysis of election management, may still be effective. However, other aspects of observation—such as data collection, the duration of observation, and the focus on foreign actors—may need reconsideration.
How well are international observation methodologies adapting to address hybrid threats in elections?
Are observation methodologies keeping pace with technological advancements?
Are observers able to collect critical data, and is that data readily accessible?
What political, financial, or organizational constraints do observers face in adapting their methodologies?
Election observers are just one of many key electoral stakeholders, and their work requires strict political neutrality and non-interference. Observers collect and analyze data from other stakeholders, with their access dependent on the value of sustained, cyclical engagement with their counterparts. In the post-election follow-up phase, especially citizen observers can play a more active role. This roundtable will explore ways to strengthen synergies between international and citizen observers, election administrations, the election assistance community, security agencies, and private actors such as technology companies, to enhance follow-up activities and better counter hybrid threats.
Who are the key stakeholders in countering hybrid threats through electoral reforms and other adaptive measures?
What is the role of international and citizen observers? Is their contribution consistently perceived as constructive and well-founded?
What are the limitations to greater cooperation between electoral stakeholders in addressing hybrid threats? Can some of these barriers be overcome through behavioral changes, methodological adaptations, or by identifying shared interests?
Many hybrid threats to elections rely on advanced technologies for impact. Cyber-attacks on election infrastructure, especially those backed by foreign states, use sophisticated methods. On social media, the creation, distribution, and targeting of narratives are driven by complex algorithms. The increasing use of artificial intelligence to spread disinformation and influence elections demands special attention. This roundtable will explore how election observers can improve their preparedness to identify, analyze, and counter these evolving threats. The substantial resources deployed by malicious actors in hybrid attacks make the work of observers particularly challenging. Additionally, the discussion will assess the risks and benefits of using AI-powered and automated tools in election observation, focusing on how these technologies can enhance observation efforts and ensure effective follow-up on electoral recommendations.
What key threats do emerging technologies pose to election integrity, and how do they impact democratic resilience and security?
What technical improvements can observers adopt to better address hybrid threats and modern election interference? How can these tools integrate into existing frameworks to improve resilience?
What skills and training do observers need to counter technological threats? Which stakeholders and partnerships can strengthen their capacities?
What are the benefits and risks of AI-powered tools in election observation? How can issues like privacy, ethics, and bias be addressed to ensure responsible use?
Election observers are just one of many key electoral stakeholders, and their work requires strict political neutrality and non-interference. Observers collect and analyze data from other stakeholders, with their access dependent on the value of sustained, cyclical engagement with their counterparts. In the post-election follow-up phase, especially citizen observers can play a more active role. This roundtable will explore ways to strengthen synergies between international and citizen observers, election administrations, the election assistance community, security agencies, and private actors such as technology companies, to enhance follow-up activities and better counter hybrid threats.
The role of advanced technologies, such as AI and algorithms, in cyber-attacks, disinformation, and election interference.
The challenges and opportunities for election observers in adapting to these technological threats, including the use of AI-powered and automated tools in election observation.
The sources and impact of political polarization, the proliferation of hate speech, and the use of divisive narratives in disinformation campaigns.
How election stakeholders—including international and citizen observers, election administrators, technology companies, and security agencies—can collaborate to improve electoral reforms and better counter hybrid threats.
Drawing on global and regional developments, the panelists will also explore how international and citizen election observation can continue to contribute to enhancing security and ensuring the integrity of democratic processes.
The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the opinion of donors or partners.
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