On October 24-25, 2024, the partners of the Understanding EU project gathered in Göttingen, Germany for a dynamic transnational meeting to set the foundation for our collaborative effort in making EU legislation more accessible and engaging for citizens across Europe.
Strengthening Partnerships & Defining Our Mission
The meeting began with an interactive getting-to-know session, where partners shared insights into their organisations and their motivations for joining the project. Understanding the diverse expertise within our consortium laid the groundwork for a strong and collaborative partnership.
We then dived into the core objectives of the project, discussing how we can empower citizens by bridging the gap between EU legislation and everyday life. The goal is clear: to simplify legal texts, engage citizens in meaningful dialogues, and develop tools like the Digital Lexicon and Knowledge Bits.
Laying the Groundwork for the Survey & Citizen Dialogues
A key focus of the meeting was planning the survey and citizen dialogues—essential activities for collecting real-life perspectives on EU legislation. Partners exchanged ideas on:
✔ How to structure the survey to assess citizens’ knowledge and perceptions of EU law
✔ Best practices for organizing inclusive and interactive citizen dialogues
✔ Key discussion points, including legal complexity, communication barriers, and citizens’ needs
✔ Strategies to ensure diverse participation, especially from underrepresented groups
Project Management & Dissemination Strategies
Beyond content development, we also covered project management and dissemination strategies. Discussions focused on:
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Ensuring smooth coordination between partners
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Managing resources and timelines effectively
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Developing a strong dissemination strategy to maximize impact and outreach across Europe
From social media campaigns to stakeholder engagement, we explored how to spread awareness and invite citizens to participate in dialogues and surveys.
Next Steps & Looking Ahead
With a clear roadmap in place, we wrapped up the meeting by defining the next concrete steps
➡ Finalizing the survey and launching the first round of citizen dialogues
➡ Developing tools and templates for structured discussions
➡ Implementing a targeted communication and dissemination plan to reach key audiences
Our meeting in Göttingen was an important milestone, setting the stage for an engaging and impactful project. Over the next months, we will be reaching out to citizens across Europe, gathering insights, and working towards a more accessible and citizen-friendly EU legal framework.
Stay tuned as we continue this journey!
