The problem
Civic engagement is at a critical low in the United Kingdom.
In the 2024 General Election, voter turnout fell to just 52%, the lowest since the introduction of universal suffrage. This decline reflects growing disconnection and disillusionment with Westminster politics, with 38% of the population holding an unfavorable view of the parties in power.
Participation in civic activism and decision-making groups has also diminished significantly. In 2022, only 7% of respondents to a government survey reported taking part in activism, and just 27% felt they could personally influence policy decisions affecting their local area.
This sense of exclusion and disconnection has far-reaching consequences. As civic engagement declines, democratic systems weaken. Alarmingly, fewer than half of UK citizens believe their democracy is functioning effectively.
To address this pressing issue, we founded DemocraFest C.I.C. in 2024 as a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing voter engagement in the UK. By combining live music and meaningful debate, we aim to make discussions around today’s most important issues more accessible, engaging, and impactful.
OUR MISSION
1) Increase voter turnout in the UK
2) Build a space for art and conversation
3) Make democratic participation accessible for all
ABOUT
We started DEMOCRAFEST C.I.C. in 2024, a NON-PROFIT corporation dedicated to INCREASING VOTER ENGAGEMENT in the UK by using live music and debate to make the conversation surrounding the ISSUES OF TODAY more ACCESSIBLE and FUN.
As two WOMEN in their twenties who work in politics, we know firsthand how EXCLUSIVE the democratic process can feel, and how SEPARATE the Westminster bubble is from the people.
Facing the LOWEST VOTER TURNOUT RATE since universal suffrage at the general election in 2024, DemocraFest 2025 is an opportunity to COME TOGETHER behind one cause — building an EMPOWERED and EMBOLDENED coalition of VOTERS in the UK.
DEMOCRAFEST 2025 is a day festival on 30 AUGUST 2025 in HERTFORDSHIRE, easily accessible from CENTRAL LONDON by public transport, which aims to increase civic participation in the UK by making democracy more ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.
This is the INAUGURAL festival of ART and CONVERSATION and it’s only the start of the MOVEMENT.
You won’t want to miss this.
We are a
community
interest coMPANY.
Every POUND
invested in us
is a POUND
invested in our
mission.
OUr STORY
We are Democrafest C.I.C, a women-led festival company with hopes to break the Westminster bubble & help increase young voter turnout in the UK by combining music, art, & politics all in a one day event. In 2024, we chose to become a Community Interest Company to ensure every pound invested in us is a pound invested in our mission to increase voter participation in the UK.
We are a team led by Sophie Harborne, a lawyer and Parliamentary researcher in the House of Commons, and Claire Brennan, a passionate advocate for civic engagement. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and a shared determination to address growing political disengagement. Inspired by the low turnout in the most recent General Election and the success of global festivals in increasing voter participation, DemocraFest is a platform to drive change and empower young people across the country.
Sophie
Harborne
founder & CEO
Sophie Harborne started her career in corporate law working as a banking lawyer at a magic-circle law firm in London and then Madrid with a stint in a tech start-up. She decided that she wanted to give up the corporate rat race and work in an area which she was truly passionate about. She moved into politics. She currently works as a Parliamentary Researcher in the House of Commons.
Coming into politics as an outsider, Sophie noticed a few things:
(1) The Westminster bubble seemed to keep people out - wasn’t the point of democracy to let people in?
(2) Most of her 20-something friends seemed completely disinterested in politics - what would it take to get young people excited and engaged again?
(3) Why did political events have to be in conference centres with stale sandwiches and hobnob biscuits - does being politically engaged have to feel so stuffy?
She hopes DemocraFest will start a democratic movement in which everyone’s voices can be heard.
sophie.harborne@democrafest.co.uk
Claire
Brennan
Co-FOUNDER
& Marketing manager
Claire Brennan is an undergraduate student in her final year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is from Fort Worth, Texas and moved to London in January 2024 to study politics abroad. She has worked previously as a photojournalist and on numerous political campaigns. She is currently studying political science, history, and data science.
Claire met Sophie while working together as staffers in the House of Commons. Claire’s role at DemocraFest includes producing all photo and video content, building advertisements, managing social media, and managing all film and visual artists spotlighted by the festival. She will return to London prior to the festival in May 2025.
claire.brennan@democrafest.co.uk