Edinburgh Napier University has secured European funding that will allow them to develop internet projects which promote democracy.

The two projects involving the International Teledemocracy Centre (ITC) have secured €1.5 million.

The studies are to involve a number of European partners and will explore how to get young people involved in developing internet policy and promote democracy across the European Union.

The ITC will receive a share of nearly £70,000 for its involvement in the initiative Hub Websites for Youth Participation.

Working with partners in the UK, Ireland, Estonia and Germany the project aims to identify how 16-to-21-year-olds can influence national and international policies for the internet.

The aims of the initiative are ensure that the views of young people are reflected in government policy across participating countries.

The money will be used to develop a hub website that links into existing established youth portals to encourage participation in the project.

The ITC has also been awarded an additional £50,000, its share from the EuroPetition project which aims to promote wider access to on-line democracy channels across the EU. The initiative involves partners in the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, and Sweden and will use innovative technologies to strengthen citizens' participation in democratic decision making.

Professor Joan Stringer, principal at the university, said in a statement: "I'm extremely proud of Edinburgh Napier's involvement in these projects. All universities have an important role in stimulating innovation in Scottish business and industry.

"It's excellent to see that these new projects are at the forefront of their technology and really will make a difference."

Kathy Buckner, director of the ITC, said: "I am delighted that through these awards the ITC, a part of the School of Computing's Centre for Social Informatics, continues to demonstrate its strength in research and development in the field of e-democracy in general and e-participation in particular."