In this episode of the European Dialogue, brought to you by the EU-VALUES Network, we sit down with Sevda Kilicalp and Nils Luyten from PHILEA – the Philanthropy Europe Association to discuss how democracy in Europe is changing, and what role funders can play in defending and developing it.

We explore their latest work with the PHILEA Democracy Network by diving into the newly released '2025 Democracy Briefer for Funders', a timely and practical guide that speaks directly to the challenges and possibilities for philanthropy in today’s polarised political landscape.

Drawing on examples from across the EU, Nils and Sevda talk to:
🔹 How democratic backsliding often takes legal and incremental forms, not always dramatic ones
🔹 Why philanthropy is essential to democratic resilience and independent civic space
🔹 The deeper emotional and socio-economic drivers of polarisation and public disengagement
🔹 How younger generations are losing trust in democratic systems and what can be done about it
🔹 The challenge of building inclusive, shared narratives in a fragmented media environment

For more on PHILEA and its Democracy Network, visit: www.philea.eu
Read the full 2025 Democracy Briefer here: philea.eu/publications/2025-democracy-briefer-for-funders
You can also find out more about the reference to Hannah Arendt’s 1951 foundational insights into totalitarianism (e.g.: the erosion of truth, the exploitation of emotion and the breakdown of common sense) in many articles online, or a nice podcast if that is your favourite medium is: 
https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-xtm92-415961  


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#Democracy #Philanthropy #Europe #CivilSociety #RuleOfLaw #HannahArendt #Polarisation #Youth #Inclusion #Philea #EUVALUES #DemocraticGovernance #SocialTrust #DemocracyNetwork

From Backsliding to Building: Philanthropy’s Role in Europe’s Democratic Crisis – with PHILEA

TRENCH NOIR - CROP RADIO - 22/07/25

Artists links:
https://soundcloud.com/lieselottedubz
https://soundcloud.com/dv-official

Lieselotte & Distorted Vortex - Fujinoyamai

newnotion (prod. outtabands)

blocked4what (prod. alfiesnapped)

'VERMIN'
⁂ https://linktr.ee/skulkcollective

"Really exciting to see this finally come to life - I had a great time working with Mags. For me, this track was supposed to be as unforgiving and organic as possible; I was inspired by the visual component of 'The Thing' and as I was composing, I was imagining the movement and sounds of a tortured, mutant animal-hybrid looking for the next victim..."
@marrow-music

"Working with Marrow was a blast. At the time, I was super inspired by his EP ‘Neo Viscera’ which definitely played a big part in where I was planning to go with this tune. Love working with all Skulk members; trying to push the sound and the underground further."
@mags-us

🦊

Undergrowth

Vermin

Marrow & Mags - Vermin

'FROSTWARDEN'
⁂ https://linktr.ee/skulkcollective

"When we were experimenting with ideas for the project, I pictured 'Frostwarden' having a haunting dark fantasy vibe. Blacksite, SHIFTING., and Siedoro morphed the project into an ethereal trip. It’s some of the most fun I’ve had making a melodic riddim track; honored to have worked with Skulk on this one."
@prodmalva

@blacksiteofficial
@shiftingaudio
@siedoro

🦊

Frostwarden

Malva., Blacksite, SHIFTING. & Siedoro - Frostwarden

'ZERO_DAY'
⁂ https://linktr.ee/skulkcollective

"We’re both super proud of this track and are so excited to finally share it with you all. It’s a blend of IDM and Colour Bass crafting a unique spectral soundscape. I hope you enjoy this and the rest of the tunes on the EP!"
@psonite

@haphaz7ard

🦊

Zero_Day

Psonite & Haphaz7ard - Zero_Day

'TARNISHED'
⁂ https://linktr.ee/skulkcollective

"You're not a hero - you’re a silent observer, an immortal presence bound to witness the slow erosion of everything around you. Forests once vibrant now fade into bluish, ghost-like hues; distant lights flicker with hollow warmth, remnants of a purpose long lost. As the piece unfolds, harmonic beauty decays into dissonance - washed-out textures and fractured vocals reflect a world slipping further into ruin. You can’t move; you can’t die - you can only watch as everything collapses again, waiting for a new cycle that may never come."
@dayshades & @blank-north

🦊

Tarnished

Dayshades & Retvrn - Tarnished

'UNSTABLE'
⁂ https://linktr.ee/skulkcollective

"SEDAMI is a true inspiration for me. We had great flow and a very coherent vision of each section as we were working - the track felt natural to craft, each section led to the next rather than having a more defined song structure, resulting in a more fun and spontaneous experience for us. I'm incredibly proud of both of us and of the resulting track. It's truly and sincerely product of our vision and songwriting capabilities. I couldn't have asked for a better partner for this song, and I can't thank SEDAMI enough."
@lostandforgiven

@sedamimp3

🦊

unstable

hostile & sedami - unstable

'UNDERGROWTH' EP ✦ OUT NOW

⁂ online worldwide electronic music collective ~
🦊

@soundsofakrvsia
@blacksiteofficial
@dayshades
@extretch
@haphaz7ard
@lostandforgiven
@ifeature
@mags-us
@prodmalva
@marrow-music
@psonite
@resurge_music
@blank-north
@sedamimp3
@shiftingaudio
@siedoro

🔥We cooking in the furnace🔥

SUBMISSION ON DISCORD SERVER!!!
https://discord.gg/C4MzhbmNWv

Owner:
Sosomra: https://soundcloud.com/sosomra

A&R's
Kuu: https://soundcloud.com/kuudes
Heshamstep: https://soundcloud.com/heshamstep

Cover artist:
CHXD: https://soundcloud.com/chxdbeats

Members:
BLINDFOLD: https://soundcloud.com/blindfoldtunes
LCM: https://soundcloud.com/lcm-promotions
PorterSteele: https://soundcloud.com/portersteelemusic
T43 1nkn0wn: https://soundcloud.com/t431nkn0wn
Tonixity: https://soundcloud.com/tonixity_chunes
LURID: https://soundcloud.com/luriid
Byakugan: https://soundcloud.com/byakuganmusic
VOOL: https://soundcloud.com/souls-animator
Dredorum: https://soundcloud.com/darkdredorum
VanderHell: https://soundcloud.com/im-at-your-moms-house-lol
C0D3: https://soundcloud.com/codedubstep
DatSnowyPenguin: (no account :c)
Lieselotte: https://soundcloud.com/lieselottedubz
lateeyes: https://soundcloud.com/lateeyes
DEEPAW: https://soundcloud.com/fuckdeepaw
AstralDivinity: https://soundcloud.com/voidtexmusic
ERSH: https://soundcloud.com/theershproject
Antifreak: https://soundcloud.com/antifreakdubste
Demonic Pressure / Grim_Reapaah: https://soundcloud.com/lilithtolu
Nortz: https://soundcloud.com/nortzobaken
Kowai: https://soundcloud.com/officialkowai
BangTymek: https://soundcloud.com/bangtymek_the_riddim_cat
FrxstFxre: https://soundcloud.com/officialfrxstfxre
constanta br dubz: https://soundcloud.com/wesbr708709579
TurboDrive: https://soundcloud.com/turbo20000
GANII: https://soundcloud.com/ganiidubz
Distorted Vortex: https://soundcloud.com/dv-official

Broadcasting live from Manchester //
M1 2EQ //
hello@crop-radio.com // 
cropradio.live

🇪🇺 EU-VALUES Network Podcast: Expert insights on democracy, human rights, EU policies & global influence. Tune in & stay informed! 🎧 #EUPolitics #Democracy #HumanRights #Geopolitics

New tracks tagged #COLLECTIVE