The We-Europeans project aimed to bolster advocacy for European citizenship, focusing on inclusion, tolerance, justice, and non-discrimination. It sought to defend the EU's core values: human dignity, human rights, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law. Recognizing that traditional methods were insufficient to counter populism, the project developed new narratives that resonated emotionally while addressing concerns factually. The objective was to instill confidence in European integration without glossing over challenges. The project had two primary goals. First, it aimed to support societal actors—educators, politicians, media, scientists, and civil society—by fostering transnational and interdisciplinary exchanges. Through a community of practice, networking, and a toolbox (including a MOOC), participants could develop strategies against populism rooted in shared European solutions. Second, the project targeted adults facing populism in daily life, offering tools for factual discussions and encouraging them to stand up for their opinions. Engaging, accessible content aimed to stimulate positive involvement and critical thinking.
We applied for this project to address the growing threat of populism in Europe, which had rapidly gained traction across the continent. Populist parties secured significant representation in European parliaments, driven by public dissatisfaction with politics, globalization, technological changes, and crises like the Greek debt crisis, BREXIT, the refugee crisis, Covid-19 and Ukraine-Russia war. Many citizens felt disconnected from complex political decisions, turning to populist movements for simple answers. The project aimed to counter the divisive impact of populism, which threatened pluralist democracies by excluding certain groups and fostering Euroscepticism. The spread of fake news, hate speech, and enemy images in digital media further eroded European values like respect for differing opinions and the willingness to engage in objective discussions. To combat this, the project focused on networking, mutual learning, and developing innovative approaches that promoted positive narratives and the benefits of EU citizenship. It also aimed to empower individuals to defend democratic rights in their daily lives by providing strategies to counter populist rhetoric.