Public Trust

Rebuilding Public Trust in the Digital Age

Public trust is the cornerstone of a thriving liberal democracy - it legitimizes governance, enables cooperation, and sustains social cohesion. In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, rebuilding this trust is both urgent and achievable. FNF Europe recently became a hub for ideas, debate, and collaboration during the IFLRY–FNF Seminar “Youth Rebuilding the Broken: Restoring Trust in a Digital Age” from 31 July to 3 August. Nineteen young liberal leaders, activists, and aspiring politicians from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe came together to develop fresh strategies for today’s challenges to liberal democracies. Throughout the seminar, they discussed young, globally connected approaches to some of the most pressing issues of our time: combating disinformation, advancing data literacy, promoting civic technology, and ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.

The Urgency of Public Trust – A Declining Resource

At the heart of every discussion was one urgent theme: public trust. But what exactly is public trust, and why is it so vital for democracy? Trust is the belief that another person or institution will act in ways that are fair, competent, and aligned with one’s best interests, even in the absence of direct oversight. Public trust can be defined as citizens’ belief that their institutions act competently, transparently, and in the public interest. In liberal democracies, public trust is not a luxury—it is the precondition for legitimate governance. Unlike authoritarian regimes, which rely on coercion, liberal democracies rely on consent and credibility. When citizens trust their institutions, they accept difficult decisions, participate in civic life, and help their societies navigate crises. Without it, the door opens to polarization, populism, and disengagement.

In recent years, public trust has been rapidly declining worldwide. The reasons are complex, ranging from political corruption to economic inequality, but one of the most transformative forces reshaping the trust landscape has been our digital age. Digital tools often promise to strengthen democratic engagement by enhancing transparency, connecting citizens to decision-makers, and offering instant fact-based information. In practice, however, the rapid spread of disinformation, opaque algorithmic decision-making, and an overwhelming volume of online content have made it harder for citizens to distinguish fact from fiction.

Participants at the seminar explored how this erosion of trust plays out in different regional contexts. From the under-regulation of social media in parts of Africa to the weaponization of disinformation in Eastern Europe, to declining youth participation rates in Western democracies, the underlining challenge is universal even though symptoms vary: the trust gap is widening globally.

High-Tech Plans, Low Trust: Germany’s Digital Dilemma

Recent developments in Germany offer a revealing example of both the promise and the pitfalls of digital transformation. In July 2023, the federal government launched its AI Strategy 2.0, committing €6 billion to modernize public administration, improve service delivery, and establish Germany as a leader in AI innovation. The strategy emphasizes ethical AI development, data privacy, and digital sovereignty, with the goal to make government operations smarter, faster, and more efficient. The Free Democratic Party (FDP), then part of the governing coalition, has been a strong advocate for this digital transformation, emphasizing that AI should empower citizens rather than deepen bureaucratic distance, and advocating for transparency, citizen participation, and the protection of individual freedoms.

Despite the substantial financial commitment, public trust in the government remains low. According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, only 41% of Germans trust institutions to “do what is right”, with trust among young people even lower. Additionally, 69% of respondents report a moderate to high sense of grievance, feeling that the system benefits the elites while ordinary people struggle. Widespread frustration with bureaucratic opacity and a perceived lack of responsiveness to younger generations compounds the problem. This trust deficit is not simply the result of the AI strategy itself. Germany’s top-down approach, limited citizen involvement, and insufficient accountability mechanisms have fueled skepticism toward government-led digital reforms. While ambitious, the strategy has yet to produce tangible improvements in citizens’ everyday experiences, reinforcing doubts about government credibility and transparency.

The FDP has meanwhile called for a more inclusive and transparent approach to digital governance, proposing citizen consultations, algorithm audits to ensure fairness, and democratic oversight of AI deployment. Germany’s experience underscores a key lesson: technology alone cannot restore trust. Digital innovation must be paired with transparency, accountability, and genuine citizen engagement to serve the public good and strengthen democratic legitimacy.

Rebuilding Public Trust Through Transparency, Civic Tech, and Youth Engagement

If trust is the invisible glue that holds democracies together, rebuilding it requires more than just policy announcements or new platforms. The seminar highlighted that rebuilding trust is achievable through a liberal democratic approach, which is distinct because it prioritizes individual freedoms, transparency, and inclusive participation, rather than top-down or authoritarian strategies. Young leaders and activists emphasized the significance of interconnected solutions: practical initiatives that work together to strengthen public trust at multiple levels. These are rooted in the awareness that citizens´ concerns, especially those of the youth, must be central to the digital governance transformation. The following principles were identified as especially crucial for successful solution-building:

1. Transparent and Accountable Algorithms

One of the key takeaways was the urgent need for transparency in digital governance. Algorithms used in public sector AI must be auditable, explainable, and subject to democratic oversight. This ensures that citizens understand how decisions affecting their lives are made and can hold institutions accountable. A liberal democracy demands not only innovation but clear accountability mechanisms, in order to prevent that opaque “black-box” technologies erode trust.

2. Civic Technology Built With, Not For, Citizens

Participants stressed the importance of co-creating digital tools with citizens rather than imposing top-down solutions. Such civic tech initiatives should foster genuine collaboration, encouraging participatory platforms where citizens contribute to decision-making processes. Youth-led projects and civil society organizations are vital here, as they bring fresh perspectives and drive inclusive digital engagement. An example is Taiwan´s Cofacts, a community-driven, open-source fact-checking platform designed to counter disinformation by empowering citizens to collaboratively verify information.

3. Digital Literacy as Political Education

Navigating the digital landscape requires more than technical skills; it demands political awareness. Integrating digital and AI literacy into civic education equips citizens of all ages, particularly young people, to critically engage with technology and understand the power dynamics at play. Teaching not just how technology works, but how it can shape social and political realities, strengthens democratic resilience and builds informed trust.

4. Fostering Inclusive Participation and Dialogue

Building trust also means making governance more accessible and participatory. Liberal democracies thrive when citizens are engaged directly in policymaking and oversight. Models of participatory governance, such as citizen assemblies or community forums, allow diverse voices to shape decisions. This reduces feelings of alienation and bureaucratic distance. Creating safe, inclusive dialogue spaces - free from hate speech and harassment - bridges gaps between institutions and especially younger citizens.

How an Emphasis on Trust-building Enriches the Liberal Agenda

The liberal solutions discussed at the seminar are far from theoretical. They offer practical, scalable strategies that can be adapted globally, and especially in large and diverse EU member states like Germany, where rebuilding public trust remains a critical challenge. While Germany’s described digital modernization efforts signal political will, insights from the seminar and public opinions show that technology alone cannot close the trust divide. The FDP´s emphasis on transparency, meaningful citizen participation, and the protection of individual freedoms resonates deeply with these findings. It becomes clear that trust restoration depends not only on innovation but on embedding democratic values and inclusive engagement at every stage of digital reform. Yet, liberal parties still face important challenges: engaging young citizens more effectively, translating ambitious digital strategies into tangible improvements in public services, and ensuring that accountability mechanisms are not only designed but actively implemented. Addressing these gaps is essential for the electorate to convert mere policy intentions into a fully convincing, trustworthy profile. Liberals in particular can emphasize their engagement with digital innovation to credibility in an increasingly digital and complex political landscape.

Germany’s experience illustrates the opportunities (and possible pitfalls, if done inconsistently) of embracing technology without sidelining democratic values. The path forward is clear: transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation must guide the digital governance revolution. Crucially, young people are not just beneficiaries but vital drivers of this change; empowering them with digital literacy programs, participatory platforms, and opportunities to influence policymaking allows to demonstrate that liberal governance can deliver tangible results. By implementing these measures, liberal parties can lead the discourse around rebuilding public trust, engaging the next generation, and strengthening the legitimacy of democratic institutions in a rapidly digitalizing world.

Lily Marie Hornstein is currently a fellow at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Brussels, where she supports initiatives on human rights, rule of law, and European policy. She completed her Master of Science in Political Science, specializing in International Relations, at the University of Amsterdam in 2024. Lily holds a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from University College Maastricht, with a focus on Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Deeply engaged in civic life, she has participated in youth and NGO projects across Europe, including the European Youth Parliament and Nyt Europa. After her studies, she volunteered in Thailand, supporting education and community development for displaced children. She is passionate about cultural diplomacy, European policy, active democracy, and human rights, and is drawn to environments that foster multicultural exchange, civic participation, and inclusivity.