What is the Conference on the Future of Europe?

The Conference on the Future of Europe is a unique and timely opportunity for European citizens to debate on Europe’s challenges and priorities. No matter where you are from or what you do, this is the place to think about what future you want for the European Union.

The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission have committed to listen to Europeans and to follow up, within their sphere of competences, on the recommendations made.

By spring 2022, the Conference is expected to reach conclusions and provide guidance on the future of Europe.

Closing event

Who can take part?

European citizens, from all walks of life and corners of the Union, with young people playing a central role in shaping the future of the European project.

European, national, regional and local authorities, as well as civil society and other organisations who want to organise events and contribute ideas.

All participants shall respect the values established in our Conference Charter.

What are the components of the Conference?

Multilingual digital platform - this is the place for citizens to share ideas and send online submissions. They are collected, analysed, monitored and published throughout the Conference;
Decentralised events – online, in-person and hybrid events held by people and organisations as well as national, regional and local authorities across Europe;
European Citizens’ Panels – the panels discuss different topics and put forward their proposals; they are representative in terms of geographic origin, gender, age, socioeconomic background and/or level of education;
Conference Plenary - it ensures that the recommendations from the national and European citizens’ panels, grouped by themes, are debated without a predetermined outcome.

Who is leading the Conference?

The Conference is placed under the authority of the three institutions, represented by the President of the European Parliament, the President of the Council and the President of the European Commission, acting as its Joint Presidency.

The Joint Presidency is supported by an Executive Board, which is co-chaired by the three EU institutions (Mr Guy Verhofstadt, Member of the European Parliament, Mr Clément Beaune, State Secretary for EU Affairs for the French Council Presidency and Ms Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography).

A Common Secretariat, of limited size and made up of officials representing the three institutions equally, assists the work of the Executive Board.

What will be the outcome of the Conference?

The final outcome of the Conference will be presented in a report to the Joint Presidency. The three institutions will examine swiftly how to follow up effectively to this report, each within their own sphere of competences and in accordance with the Treaties.

What is the role of this digital platform?

The digital platform is the hub of the Conference: it is your way to get involved and speak up at the Conference. Here you can share your thoughts on Europe and the changes which need to happen, see what others have to say, find events near you, organise your own event and follow the progress and the outcome of the Conference.

How do you have your say?

Simply choose from the comprehensive range of topics and let the Conference know your opinion. Your ideas will be collected, analysed, monitored and published on the platform, throughout the Conference. They will then feed into the discussions taking place in the European Citizens’ Panels and the Plenaries. The final outcome of the Conference will be presented in a report to the Joint Presidency. The three Institutions will examine swiftly how to follow up effectively to this report, each within their own sphere of competences and in accordance with the Treaties.

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