How do states and citizens interact — and what shapes these relationships? Answering this question is a vital cross-disciplinary endeavor, drawing on sociology, political science, media studies, public administration, and many other fields. But with such a broad landscape of approaches and tools, where do you begin?

This toolkit provides a gateway for researchers and practitioners. It serves two complementary purposes: first, to build a foundation in the methods used to explore state–citizen relationships; and second, to provide a practical overview of tools for organizing and communicating these relationships.

Designed for researchers at every career stage — from PhD students to experienced scholars — as well as practitioners working in media, education, governance, and policy, the toolkit offers a clear and curated map of relevant research methods. For each method, we explain when and why to use it, how it connects to key theories and disciplines, and where to find foundational literature and real-world applications. You can also connect with leading experts in the field, ensuring that you have the expertise and support to take your work further. But this is more than a reference guide. It is a catalyst for shared methodological knowledge. By bringing together expertise from across disciplines and sectors, we aim to create an accessible foundation that enables users to critically assess research methods, apply them with confidence, and creatively adapt them to their own projects.

The toolkit’s second component focuses on the tools used to organize and communicate state–citizen relationships. It is designed to help practitioners find practical approaches for strengthening their connections with the public.

Drawing on the knowledge of international experts, we bring together tools that can be used by civil society organizations, political organizations, civic education practitioners, policymakers, and other actors across Europe. We do not receive funds from any of the providers but seek to support strengthening ties between organizations safeguarding liberal democracy and the public. These resources can help organizations connect with citizens at the grassroots level, foster meaningful participation, and contribute to revitalizing the foundations of liberal democracy.

Whether you are launching a new research project, refining your methodological approach, looking for practical tools, or seeking to bridge the gap between theory and practice — start here.

Together, we can deepen our understanding of the relationships between states and citizens — and strengthen the connections that hold democratic societies together.

The methods toolkit is a joint effort of researchers associated with the COST Action CA23114 RELINK². Each method in the toolkit is portrayed by an expert in this method. The credit for each contribution is with the authors.

The RELINK2 Action will intensify existing networking efforts of scholars from different disciplinary backgrounds and countries in the EU and beyond, to address two problems:

(1) How can democracies regain legitimacy and rebuild the link between representative institutions and citizens using the benefits of digital technologies?

(2) How can political organisations connect with digitally marginalised but politically active groups (the elderly) and with digitally active but politically marginalised ones (young citizens)?

In this regard, RELINK2 aims to find answers to three research gaps: a) the main organisational consequences of the digital transformation and their impact on re-linkage strategies, b) effectiveness of digital transformations in re-connecting intermediary structures with society, c) implementation of political organisations’ re-linking strategies to marginalised groups based on responsible use of digital tools. This requires an interdisciplinary and coordinated analytical framework.

The network will tackle challenges through research coordination objectives. Four Working Groups will be formed to bring in expertise on: 1) theoretical and 2) methodological challenges, 3) empirical analysis, 4) engagement and dissemination.

RELINK2 will provide new opportunities to strengthen the career development of specific target groups and disseminate knowledge to countries and political organisations with less capacity in the field of the Action.

The practical implication of the Action is to create impact beyond the network. RELINK2 will develop a strong cooperation with stakeholders to integrate a non-academic point of view, identify good practices, and prepare recommendations. The Action aims to meet its objectives through a knowledge production and exchange with relevant stakeholders.