Building Bridges between Policy-makers, Academia and Citizens

ongoing

The main objectives of the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) are to raise citizens’ awareness and understanding of European Union (EU) policy-making, to encourage citizens’ democratic participation, and to build bridges and facilitate interaction between citizens, researchers and policy-makers. With a coherent work programme consisting of awareness raising and dissemination, training and capacity-building, as well as analytical activities, EU-Bridge engages citizens in an open dialogue on what the EU is and explores future visions for the European project. The work programme benefits from TEPSA’s European nature: thanks to its network of members in 37 European countries, including all EU27, project activities will reach participants across the continent. TEPSA will bring an EU-level perspective to national audiences, and it will bring the views of citizens and experts from various Member States to Brussels. TEPSA’s 2025 work programme focuses on issues that are salient across the Union such as the need to strengthen a forward-looking European narrative, to protect our democratic systems and values, and to continue establishing the EU as a strategic geopolitical actor. TEPSA’s project will have a multiplier effect reaching beyond traditional audiences, targeting citizens, including those from non-specialised circles or not yet engaged in EU affairs; youth; civil society; journalists; researchers; and policy-makers. Besides fostering democratic participation, these activities will contribute to an improved understanding of the EU and its benefits, thereby increasing its legitimacy in citizens’ eyes. Finally, TEPSA’s efforts to bridge the gap between academics and policy-makers effectively contribute to the development of innovative and relevant policy solutions, necessary in light of an increasingly contested geopolitical space.