This Time I'm Voting - #TTIV

In 2019, we contributed to the European Parliament’s campaign ’This Time I’m Voting’ as an official partner, to encourage citizens to engage and vote in the EP elections. As part of this campaign and in support of the European Parliament, we kicked off preparations for our flagship event ‘Democracy Alive’ which took place from 11-13 April 2019 on the Dutch island of Texel.

Democracy Alive

Ahead of the European Parliament elections, we organised a European Democracy Festival to bring citizens, stakeholders and politicians together to engage on the important issues of today. After the European elections, we transformed Democracy Alive into a community where activists from across Europe can come together and take action to defend, strengthen and promote European democracy. The platform now serves as a space where people can find support for their initiatives, can take part in weekly campaigns, and where we promote the various activities of our members throughout Europe.

Listen to Europe

Ahead of the European elections, together with a group of researchers led by Matthew MacWilliams and with the support of the Open Society Initiative for Europe, we conducted a poll that was fielded by YouGov, on the drivers of behaviours and attitudes of citizens in 13 European Union Member States towards democracy and authoritarianism. The results of the poll, disseminated across Europe, now provide useful campaigning tools and outreach strategies that can be tailored towards the different Member States but also a wider European audience.

On Our Watch

Together with the European Youth Forum, Citizens for Europe and the broad range of partnering civil society organisations, we transformed the On Our Watch website to highlight organisations' election manifestos and pledge campaigns ahead of the European Elections. On top of this, we included an integrated Vote Comparator developed specifically for the elections. Now, with the European Parliament in full swing and the Commission in place, we will continue to use the website to showcase civil society’s demands vis-à-vis policymakers and to use the platform as a resource hub for those interested in the various issues that civil society is working on.

Women of Europe Awards

For the fourth year running, the 2019 edition of the Women of Europe Awards, organised with the support of the European Women’s Lobby, featured four inspiring winners from Romania, Bulgaria, Germany and Czechia:  Laura Codruța Kövesi, Chief EU Public Prosecutor Elect (Woman in Power), Milena Kadieva, Human Rights Lawyer (Woman in Action), Eleonora Azzaoui & Vera Günther, Founders of Mimycri (Women in Business) and Johanna Nejedlová, Co-Founder of KONSENT (Woman in Youth Activism). See more on our social media campaign here.

European Democracy Group

The European Democracy Group is organised by Carnegie Europe and the European Movement International, involving regular discussions between analysts, civil society representatives, and policymakers in Brussels to explore ways to improve democratic participation in the EU. In 2019 we organised discussions around the future of civic participation in Europe as well as the impact of digital technology on European democracy.

Investing in the Future of Europe

As part of the 'Investing in the Future of Europe' series, a partnership between the European Movement and European Investment Bank, we organised events in Budapest, Helsinki, Prague and on Texel this year. The debates offer the chance to highlight the benefits of European integration and to discuss how to best invest in the European Union and the well-being of its citizens.

Europe Day

In 2019, members of the European Movement International network celebrated Europe Day by holding events, discussions and activities throughout Europe in May, ahead of the European elections. From Finland to Croatia, and from Ireland to Turkey, celebrations and events of all kinds took place in EU member as well as non–member states.

Democracy and citizen participation

• Publication of a position on engaging citizens ahead of the Sibiu Summit inviting leaders to commit to a transparent, representative and consistent consultation tool
• Presentation our network’s experience on the European Citizens Consultations at the Committee of the Regions’ public event
• Contribution to Committee of the Regions’ report on the future of the European Citizens’ Consultations
• Two meetings of the European Democracy Group

Protecting EU values

• Publication of an opinion piece following the Polish general elections, by linking the results to the findings of our Listen to Europe research and looking at the attitudes that drove Poles to support the PiS party
• Communication around the topic of enhancing the rule of law in Europe

Sustainability

• Publication of a policy position on ‘Moving Towards a Sustainable Europe’, by addressing environmental, economic and social aspects
• Public event on ‘Citizens for Change | The Role of Civil Society in Environmental Policies’ as part of the EU Green Week

Brexit

• Advocacy on the benefits of EU membership in the context of Brexit and information and communication on the different scenarios
• Roundtable event with Stefaan de Rynck, Senior Advisor to Michel Barnier, EU Chief Negotiator for Brexit

Foreign and Security Policy

• Publication of a policy position on ‘Strengthening the European Union’s Position on the Global Stage’
• Breakfast briefing ahead of the European Council summit to discuss the state of play and future challenges of EU security and defence cooperation.

Enlargement and Western Balkans

• Letter to the European Parliament President David Sassoli, inviting him to visit the Western Balkans and show support for accession candidate countries
• Event on ‘Making a success of Europe | Expectations from & Opportunities for Central Europe and the Balkans‘