19 April 2021 marked the launch of the multilingual digital platform “Conference on the Future of Europe.” It provides a unique opportunity for European citizens to engage in the debate about the future of Europe and to exchange views with experts and EU institutions until spring 2022. The launch marks a big step forward in the integration process. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called all European citizens to participate in shaping “the Europe they want to live in.” Participation is open to every European citizen, and the engagement of young Europeans is especially encouraged.

The Conference aims to create a new public forum in order to stimulate an open and transparent debate with all European citizens on a variety of topics, such as climate change, the environment, a stronger economy, social justice, the rule of law, and security.

The ideas and comments on these topics will be published on the platform and feed into discussions taking place in European Citizens’ Panels and Plenaries. European Citizen’s Panels will discuss different issues that are of crucial importance for the EU’s development, and the Conference Plenaries will make sure that the Panels’ recommendations are being debated freely. During the conference, several decentralised events will take place next to the European Citizens’ Panels and Conference Plenaries. The final outcomes of the conference will then be presented to the Joint Presidency in a report and examined by the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission.