ENCODE – Unveiling emotional dimensions of politics to foster European democracy

Programme: Horizon Europe

Duration: 1.06.2024 – 31.05.2027

The ENCODE project, seeks to enhance democratic governance in Europe by examining the role of emotions in political decision-making. The project aims to create positive emotional narratives that address the emotional needs of European citizens. It challenges the traditional view that politics should be purely rational, instead recognizing that emotions are integral to political discourse. ENCODE proposes the concept of "affective pluralisation" to transform political environments by encouraging emotional engagement while maintaining democratic competition. The project investigates how social media amplifies emotions and spreads disinformation, employing advanced methodologies like face-tracking and biometric research to study emotional responses. By understanding the link between emotional responses and the appeal of populist and conspiracy theories, ENCODE aims to develop strategies to mitigate their impact. The project also explores how European identities and values can foster positive emotional responses,