Debating Europe is the citizen engagement unit of Friends of Europe, an independent Brussels-based think tank working for a more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking Europe.

Our mission

We harness the collective intelligence of citizens across the EU to generate, test, and refine bold policy ideas - all contributing to promoting a Renewed Social Contract for Europe by 2030.

How we engage

Through focus groups, surveys, and public events, we work with a growing network of citizens and civil society organisations (CSOs). Our goal? To help institutions and member states reframe and rebalance their relationship with citizens.

A vision for 21st-century democracy

Together with policymakers, foundations, and business leaders, we’re co-designing a Renewed Social Contract that:

• Empowers citizens to shape strategic and policy decisions.
• Fosters inclusive dialogue and builds democratic skills.
• Supports a vibrant public space where citizens and leaders connect for change.

Why it matters

By shifting the dynamic between political institutions and the public, we aim to make decision-making more inclusive, responsive, and citizen-led.

Collaboration is key

Realising this vision isn’t quick - or something we can do alone. That’s why we collaborate with citizens, governments, CSOs, businesses, and foundations to strengthen Europe’s democratic infrastructure

Realising our objectives will not happen easily or quickly, and we won’t be able to achieve them on our own. That’s why we work together with citizens, pro-democracy organisations, governments, and other institutions across Europe, to strengthen and build the infrastructure of future democracy.

Help us boost a sense of meaningful and active citizenship, in line with our core objectives of promoting a new kind of leadership and regenerating democracy. Join now.

Debating Europe is a project of Friends of Europe. More information about our finances and fundraising guidelines can be found here.

Friends of Europe is a beneficiary of the European Commission Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme was launched in 2021 and will run for seven years until 2027. It was created along with the 2021-2027 Justice programme under the Justice, Rights and Values Fund.

The CERV programme seeks to support and develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law. That includes a vibrant and empowered civil society, encouraging people’s democratic, civic and social participation and cultivating the rich diversity of European society, based on our common values, history and memory.

The CERV programme has four pillars:

1) Equality, Rights and Gender Equality – promoting rights, non-discrimination, equality (including gender equality), and advancing gender and non-discrimination mainstreaming

2) Citizens’ engagement and participation – promoting citizens engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union, exchanges between citizens of different Member States, and raising awareness of the common European history

3) Daphne – fight violence, including gender-based violence and violence against children

4) Union values – protect and promote Union values

Civil society organisations active at local, regional, national and transnational level, as well as other stakeholders, can apply to receive CERV funding for initiatives aimed at citizens’ engagement, equality for all and the protection and promotion of rights and EU values.