A podcast by Debating Europe, the citizen engagement unit of Friends of Europe

29 August 2025

Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground

As Europe faces rising polarisation – on politics, climate, technology, and trust in public institutions – decision-makers are under growing pressure to respond with solutions that are effective, inclusive, and forward-looking.

Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground is a podcast series that cuts through the noise to explore the drivers of division and the pathways to unity. Produced by Debating Europe, part of Friends of Europe, this series brings together a wide range of voices – policymakers, civil society leaders, business innovators – highlighting findings from our latest research project, Voices for Choices.

Each episode focuses on core issues like economic inequality, digital disruption, and climate anxiety, offering actionable insights and policy-relevant perspectives. The aim? To move beyond analysis and spotlight scalable solutions that strengthen democratic resilience and rebuild trust across European societies.

If you’re a policymaker, funder, or stakeholder committed to bridging divides and shaping Europe’s future, this is the podcast for you.

Listen now. Engage with the voices shaping tomorrow’s common ground.

(Re)building competitiveness across social divisions

This week, we’re exploring equity: a multifaceted, multigenerational and multinational question at the heart of Europe’s current crossroads.

Host Sabina Șancu spoke with Nadia Calviño, president of the European Investment Bank, about many of the things that worry young people: future opportunities, housing, the environmental crisis, AI.

In the second part of the episode, coordinator of the Jacques Delors think tank institutes Pascal Lamy reflects on the balance between public and private sectors and the need to adapt democracy to modern times.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.