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

15 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.

Rebuilding trust in a polarised society

This fifth episode features a recording from the public session of our European Young Leaders #EYL40 seminar in Bucharest, a discussion on rebuilding trust in a polarised society. In this recording from May, the participants discussed a polarised society in light of the recent Romanian presidential elections. You will hear the voices of many of our EYLs: Oana Țoiu, Daria Kaleniuk, Maria Nefeli, Andras Kulja, Andrei Popoviciu, Bora Muzhaqi and Min-Sung Sean Kim. They are joined by other notable guests such as Dragoș Tuță (Sustainability Embassy), Ciprian Stănescu (Social Innovation Solutions Romania) and Robert Santa (Rethink Romania). You will also hear insightful interventions from several other participants in the public session.

If you want to comment on this episode you can send us an e-mail: press@friendsofeurope.org or info@debatingeurope.eu.

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.