Projects Results

Read below everything about the Project's results

Project Result 1: Mapping available opportunities, gaps and needs in support of informal groups

The goal of this project result is to explore informal groups and active citizens by analyzing their formation, structures, support perceptions, and needs across partner countries. To achieve this, we employ a triangulation of methods, combining qualitative and quantitative research to ensure a comprehensive understanding.
Key Research Approaches:

  • Online Surveys (Quantitative Method): We will survey representatives of informal groups and NGOs to identify key factors influencing their formalization and engagement. The study will examine socio-demographic characteristics, civic participation levels, and trust dynamics.
  • Online Participatory Consultations (Qualitative Method): These interactive discussions will diagnose the needs of informal groups in an engaging and inclusive manner, helping shape the next project phases.

By integrating sociological methodology with design thinking, the project result aligns with the first two stages of this approach: empathy and needs diagnosis. This will help us define the characteristics of active citizens and identify their core needs, guiding the development of effective support initiatives.

Explore the full report here!

The aim of this Project Result is to gather ideas and solutions on how to create a favorable and enriching environment for the development of grassroots citizen initiatives. This is crucial for strengthening civil society in the EU, particularly in Central and Eastern European Member States, where democratic structures require ongoing development and reinforcement. To achieve this, we will organize five face-to-face Ideathons to ensure consultation and engagement of stakeholders interested in civil society development within partner countries. Each Ideathon will bring together at least 30 participants, including representatives of informal groups, small local NGOs, trainers, community facilitators, local and national administration representatives, and other professionals. Through collaborative brainstorming, participants will diagnose key issues, identify opportunities, and propose viable solutions. The challenges addressed will be formulated based on research findings from each country (Project Result 1) to ensure that the proposed ideas align with national social and political contexts. The insights gathered from the five Ideathons will then be reviewed by project partners and serve as the foundation for the development package Project Result 3. 

Explore the full report here!

We developed a shared knowledge base by analyzing existing good practices and designing a comprehensive programme framework based on the findings of Project Results 1 and 2. This framework outlined support strategies adaptable to the socio-cultural and legal contexts of all participating countries.

Through a co-design process following the “Theory of Change” methodology, partners defined activities, outputs, outcomes, and long-term impacts aligned with the needs of informal groups. A key component of the framework was the “Code of Ethics”, which provided universal guidelines on collaboration, non-discrimination, respect, and European values, supporting informal groups in structuring and strengthening their initiatives.

Following the finalization of the programme framework, we created an “E-publication with Tools”, which included:

• Tools for Impact, such as local initiatives and civic budgets.
• Tools for Capacity Building, including mentoring, counseling, administrative support, and educational resources.

The E-publication was made publicly available to professionals and stakeholders, while the programme framework served as an internal guide for the partnership, detailing the development plan, objectives, and implementation strategies.
for strengthening civic engagement.

You can find all the developed tools here:

Toolkit for capacity builders
Code of Ethics

Incubation phase will be preceded by the information and recruitment activity in order to gather participants for the incubation process. Also, it is necessary to carry out evaluation with groups after the support program has been tested – update of the support program after testing. Survey will be conducted after the incubation phase.

 

This Project Result aligns with the CERV priority of promoting democratic participation by debating the future of a citizens-centred Europe. It involves organizing National Debates in each partner country in an online format, engaging at least 25 participants per country, including representatives of informal groups, social organizations, activists, and citizens—resulting in a minimum of 125 participants overall.

A participatory methodology will be applied to encourage meaningful discussions and shared conclusions. Participants will be divided into heterogeneous groups based on nationality, gender, age, and civil society roles. Each group will discuss key questions, and a spokesperson will present their conclusions to the wider audience, ensuring a diverse exchange of perspectives.

To prepare attendees, a “Debate Kit” will be distributed, containing background information, Project Result 1 survey findings, suggested readings, and discussion questions. Additionally, both the survey results and the e-publication with tools of impact and support will be presented during the debate. At the conclusion of each session, a representative from each country will record a short video answering: “How do you imagine the future of Europe?” This video will summarize the debate’s key insights and serve as a foundation for the policy recommendations phase (Project Result 7).

 

This Project Result directly addresses the CERV priority of promoting democratic participation by envisioning the future of a citizens-centred Europe. It represents Part II of the Debate and involves organizing an International Debate as a live event. Participants will include at least three representatives from informal groups per country who took part in the National Debate, alongside public representatives, social organizations, activists, citizens from partner countries, and one EU representative. This transnational setting will foster knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration, with at least 50 participants engaging in discussions. A participatory methodology will ensure interactive and effective discussions, leading to shared conclusions. A “Virtual Gallery Walk” will be used throughout the event—an interactive technique where participants navigate a virtual space, analyze information, and provide feedback. Key discussion points, ideas, and conclusions will be showcased in this Virtual Gallery, alongside the video “How do you imagine the future of Europe?”, which will serve as a catalyst for further debate.

 

This Project Result focuses on turning insights from Project Results 1-6 into clear, practical policy recommendations that support a more citizen-centered Europe.

  1. Developing Policy Recommendations: We will analyze the key findings from previous activities and use them to draft initial policy recommendations. These will be compiled into an accessible report, outlining concrete ideas for improving civic engagement and decision-making.
  2. Policy Simulation & Feedback Forum: A 2-day event in Athens will bring together 30 participants—including citizens, policymakers, and NGO representatives—to test and refine the policy recommendations. Through a “Policy Simulation Game,” participants will explore real-world challenges in a structured discussion. The event will also include a “Feedback Forum” where participants can reflect on their experiences, suggest improvements, and shape better solutions. The insights gathered will be used to fine-tune the recommendations.
  3. Bringing Policies to Life: Through Video To make policy ideas more engaging and accessible, we will create short “Policy Insight Videos” (2 minutes each). These videos will simplify key recommendations, making them easy to understand for a broad audience, and ensuring they reach policymakers, activists, and citizens alike.

This Project Result aims to turn research into action, helping shape policies that truly reflect the needs of citizens.