As we usher in 2025, the time has come to reflect on the endeavours undertaken in the past year and to define our priorities and aspirations for the year ahead. 2024 was a year of significant progress for Re-Imagine Europa, marked by the launching of several ambitious projects and, most importantly, the production of innovative research and practical solutions to build a stronger, more resilient and united Europe.
Re-Imagine Europa (RIE) has reinforced its commitment to countering polarisation and promoting shared narratives, focusing on pivotal issues such as climate change, migration, food systems, and technology. Through ground-breaking research and thought-provoking events, we addressed the challenge of misinformation, fostered participatory democracy, and explored the ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Each initiative was not merely a response to societal challenges but a step toward reimagining a better future for Europe.
NODES: deciphering narratives to combat disinformation and polarisation
One of the defining challenges of our work in 2024 was combating misinformation and polarisation, and the Narratives Observatory Combatting Disinformation in Europe Systemically (NODES) project stood at the forefront of this effort.
The 1st European Narratives Observatory has been dedicated to studying the rise and dissemination of narratives about highly polarised topics like climate change, COVID-19, and migration. By examining data from mainstream media, blogs, and social media in countries like Poland, Spain, France, Ireland, and the UK, the Narratives Observatory has revealed how narratives spread and establish themselves across different cultural landscapes, exploring the underlying values shaping these narratives, and offering insights that strengthen societal resilience and public understanding.
“We need to move from trying to win a debate to trying to start a conversation; and the best way to start a conversation is not talking, but listening”. Erika Staël von Holstein
The beginning of the year was marked by the celebration of Re-Imagine Europa’s Annual Forum in Lisbon. More than one hundred experts, researchers, and policymakers gathered in the event ‘Depolarising Europe: Redefining Narratives, Uniting Futures’, hosted by Carlos Moedas, Mayor of the City of Lisbon. Erika Staël von Holstein, Chief Executive of RIE, presented the REFRAME Methodology and the Depolarisation Manual developed under her leadership. The scientific team behind was directed by Professors Andrzej Nowak and Marcin Napiórkowski, drawing on the work of Professor Manuel Castells and Professor António Damásio.
In the following months, NODES organised a series of impactful workshops bringing together researchers, fact-checkers and experts from different fields to examine the polarised narratives influencing public opinion and policy. Participants were introduced to effective tools such as narrative maps, narrative bridges to connect differing communities, and narrative traps to identify blind spots in citizens’ thinking. By equipping participants with these strategies, the workshops fostered more constructive dialogue and encouraged innovative approaches to shifting public perceptions.
The Narratives Observatory, co-funded by the European Commission, contributed to enriching the public discussion on how to combat polarisation and misinformation from the political sphere with the publication of the White Paper The Power of Narratives – A Strategic Approach to Combating Disinformation in Europe, presented at an Expert Roundtable in the European Parliament hosted by MEP Brando Benifei and attended by prominent European figures and experts.
The Narratives Observatory culminated the year 2024 with the successful exhibition ‘Bridging the Divide – New Narratives for Climate Action‘ held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Hosted by Leire Pajín MEP and co-hosted by Madgalena Adamowicz MEP, Vytenis Andriukaitis MEP, Brando Benifei MEP, Klára Dobrev MEP and Lena Schilling MEP, the event was supported by S&D, EPP and The Greens/EFA groups, gathering hundreds of MEPs and representatives from civic society, research, and innovation organisations.
Participatory Democracy: Talk to action
In 2024, Re-Imagine Europa (RIE) reaffirmed its commitment to fostering participatory democracy while exploring the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI). These twin pillars of innovation and inclusion defined much of RIE’s work throughout the year. As trust in political institutions declines globally, democracy must evolve to meet the demands of a fragmented and polarised world. At RIE, we believe the next five years will be pivotal for the European Union to respond to this challenge by embracing participatory democracy, empowering citizens, fostering a sense of belonging, and ensuring diverse perspectives are included in decision-making processes.
The ORBIS project exemplified RIE’s commitment to this field. As part of this project, RIE coordinated the workshops ‘Deliberation 2044: A Foresight Journey into Democratic Futures’, ‘Building Bridges for Shared Paths’, and ‘Beyond Talk: Action Steps for Europe’s Future’. Rooted in RIE’s R.E.F.R.A.M.E. methodology, these working sessions provided dynamic spaces for collaboration and foresight exercises, creating actionable recommendations for Europe’s democratic future.
In parallel, the ENCODE project, launched in June, explored how emotions influence political tensions and susceptibility to disinformation. By examining the emotional dimensions of decision-making, the project aims to develop strategies that enhance trust and improve communication across the political spectrum.
Re-Imagine Europa is also participating in NeuroClima, an ambitious project that leverages AI to support the EU’s Adaptation Strategy by connecting policymakers, institutions, and citizens. The initiative promotes climate resilience by using AI-enhanced tools to raise awareness and facilitate collaborative decision-making, combining technological capabilities with human ingenuity. Meanwhile the MultiPoD project, launched in December, is designed to create a multilingual and multicultural public space for political deliberation. MultiPoD offers a glimpse into the future of democratic collaboration, employing advanced AI to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps across Europe.
Alongside the work on participatory democracy, Re-Imagine Europa has devoted a significant amount of work analysing the impact of Artificial Intelligence in our society, its risks when used to foster polarisation and disinformation, as well as its great potential as a tool for bridging divides, strengthening societal resilience and creating meaningful change. Our research also shows the urgent need to change the dominant narratives about AI across Europe, to be able to make the most of this fundamental technology and avoid the pitfalls derived from other digital transformations such as the rise of social media.
The valuable contributions of Erika Widegren Staël von Holstein on this field have garnered recognition through her appointment to the International Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence established by the Spanish Government, where she serves as an expert in AI and polarization. In a recent event about ‘The New Reality After Artificial Intelligence’, celebrated in Madrid, Staël von Holstein highlighted the societal impacts of AI, emphasising the importance of balancing innovation and ethics.
Towards a more sustainable future
In 2024, Re-Imagine Europa’s Task Force on Sustainable Food Systems also achieved remarkable milestones, addressing one of the most critical and polarised challenges of our time: how to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems. These efforts reflect our dedication to fostering dialogue and collaboration in the face of global crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical tensions.
As narratives around agriculture and food systems have grown increasingly polarised, RIE prioritised the importance of inclusive discussions to tackle these issues head-on. A key moment came during the 2024 edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities, organised by the Committee of the Regions in October, event that provided a timely platform for regional leaders and experts to address the complexities of agrifood systems. RIE’s intervention demonstrated the power of dialogue in navigating polarisation and fostering innovative solutions, besides the necessity of bridging narrative divergences to create sustainable food systems that serve diverse communities across Europe.
Our vision for 2025
Looking ahead, Re-Imagine Europa will prioritise the deep analysis of narratives, recognising their power to influence perceptions and shape societal progress. By focusing on narrative dynamics, RIE aims to further its mission of fostering constructive dialogue, bridging divides, and building a shared vision for Europe’s future.
As challenges evolve, RIE remains committed to its core belief: that open dialogue, collective intelligence and innovation are essential to building a stronger, more united Europe.
