Future4Citizens (#F4C) is a European initiative developed by Re-Imagine Europa to tackle the current crisis of trust and polarisation. By embracing an innovative, community-focused approach, the programme aims to foster deliberation and strengthen democratic participation.
The programme provides a platform where differing perspectives are celebrated, creating space for inclusive and constructive conversations that transcend polarised and extreme narratives. Engaging the diverse voices within our society in meaningful ways about their future is vital to rebuilding trust and safeguarding the shared values at the heart of European project. Its adaptable framework has been successfully tested across diverse contexts in both expert and social dialogues, offering a powerful new way to facilitate meaningful conversations, address underlying tensions, and co-create solutions.
In close collaboration with strategic national and international partners, Future4Citizens aims to act as a unifying voice in public debates, reinforcing the strength of diversity that defines the European project. By prioritising citizens over national, party, or sectoral interests, the initiative seeks to create a new European project grounded in inclusivity and trust.
Does this sound like the future you want to create?
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Past Dialogues
The Citizen Dialogues, launched in 2023 in Barcelona, empower local communities to engage in future-oriented discussions that address pressing societal challenges. These dialogues were inaugurated in collaboration with the La Caixa Foundation, the Spanish Committee of the European League for Economic Cooperation, and under the framework of the European Capital of Democracy 2023/2024.
Complementing these are the Expert Dialogues, topic-specific dialogues involving a wide range of experts. For instance, the series of workshop “Re-Imagine Deliberative Democracy” run by Re-Imagine Europa under the EU-funded project ORBIS, brought together a number of thought leaders, policymakers and practitioners to explore innovative approaches to strengthening deliberative democracy at scale across Europe.
The outcomes of these Dialogues are collected in comprehensive policy reports, shared with key national and European policymakers. These reports provide actionable recommendations to guide the EU political agenda in the months and years ahead, ensuring that citizens’ voices remain at the heart of Europe’s future.
Responding to the Crisis of Trust and Polarisation
Globalisation and digitalisation have transformed our societies in ways both profound and challenging. Inequality, social fragmentation, and polarisation have become entrenched, fuelled by widespread anger and distrust toward institutions. As the world grapples with these escalating challenges, Professor Antonio Damasio’s call to “find a vaccine against anger” resonates powerfully. There is an urgent need to reverse the Cycle of Distrust dominating social and political spheres and to restore meaningful connections among citizens and institutions. Amid these tensions, a collective desire for change endures—a vision of a Europe where voices are heard, polarisation is addressed, and problems are met with bold, collaborative action.
What kind of future do we aspire to create in Europe, and how can we work together to bring it to life?
A Proven Model for Enhancing Dialogue
Built on Re-Imagine Europa’s ground-breaking methodology, Listen-Bridge-Act brings together citizens, experts, and policymakers to collaboratively envision alternative scenarios and solutions for Europe’s future.
- Listen: Actively engage with diverse voices, fostering understanding and uncovering shared aspirations.
- Bridge: Shift perspectives to focus on common goals and new opportunities, breaking away from polarised narratives.
- Act: Translate dialogue into tangible actions, ensuring outcomes are grounded in collaboration and inclusivity.
The Listen-Bridge-Act design framework offers exceptional adaptability and scalability, thanks to its modular structure. This flexibility allows for tailored deliberative exercises that address the unique needs of diverse stakeholder groups while aligning with specific themes and objectives. Its modular design ensures seamless application across a range of contexts, supporting both in-person and digital implementations.
A Shared Commitment to Europe’s Future
Cross-sector collaboration is crucial for enhancing both deliberative processes and future-thinking. By engaging with governments, community groups, NGOs, and private sector partners, these initiatives integrate a broad spectrum of knowledge—from expert insights to grassroots, experiential perspectives.
This diversity fosters more nuanced, inclusive, and actionable outcomes tailored to the communities they serve. Particularly in contexts requiring long-term planning and scenario development, collaboration across sectors helps identify potential blind spots, anticipate challenges, and craft resilient, adaptable strategies for the future.
Partners
Future4Citizens is supported by esteemed national and international partners, including the Former Member Association of the European Parliament, the European Youth Forum, and Politecnico di Milano through the Horizon Europe project – ORBIS. Together, we are committed to bridging divides, building trust, and safeguarding the values that define the European project.
