For over a decade, European Alternatives and its allies have been building the vision of a transnational, participatory, and radically democratic Europe, one that doesn’t only happen in parliaments or behind closed doors, but in public space, community centres, universities, and more.
We believe that we need to rethink democracy in Europe and beyond.
We believe that people must be at the centre of this story.
We believe that democracy is a collective act of care.
We believe that crises need to be managed democratically
We showed: It can be done.
Countries Involved
Europe
Duration of Project
2011 – ongoing
With the Support of
The European Union
Since 2011, we’ve been exploring what real democratic participation could look like, beyond borders, beyond ballot boxes, and beyond the limits of national representation.
We’ve done this through citizen forums, artistic assemblies, digital platforms, and experimental gatherings in cities across Europe.
But one idea has grown stronger, louder, and more urgent over the years:
WE NEED A PERMANENT TRAVELING PEOPLES’ ASSEMBLY FOR EUROPE
An assembly that brings together ordinary people, not to be consulted occasionally, but to take the lead in shaping the future.
An assembly that complements current institutions by rooting European democracy in the everyday realities, struggles and hopes of its people.
Democratic Odyssey (2023-ongoing)
The Democratic Odyssey (2023–2025) showed that this is possible.
With assemblies in Athens, Florence, Vienna and online, we created a prototype for what a permanent European Peoples’ Assembly could look like. Participants co-created a Charter of 10 Principles to rethink democracy across Europe.
Together, they proved that when people meet with empathy, care, and respect, something powerful happens.
But this journey didn’t start with the Odyssey. And it won’t end there.
The Campaign
For this power to last, we need more than one-time events.
We need something permanent. A structure that doesn’t disappear when a project ends or when recommendations are handed over. An assembly that belongs to everyone, where people like you and me can continue to shape the world we live in. An assembly that can follow up on their decisions to make their demands a reality. An assembly that sows democratic seeds wherever it goes. An assembly that helps you become active wherever you are. An assembly that connects assemblies on all scales into one big democratic movement across borders.
This is not just for experts or politicians. This is for you.
So join this European journey for a permanent travelling Peoples’ Assembly and learn how you can make it a reality.
Can you do more?
Here are other ways to help:
- Support the campaign with a small donation
- Read more about the Odyssey in the European Alternatives Journal
- Read our E-Book: Should A Citizens Assembly Complement the European Parliament?
JOIN THE JOURNEY!
Building Bridges (2024-2025)
In a moment when public discourse across Europe is increasingly marked by the rise of extreme-right ideologies and the alarming spread of undemocratic forces throughout society, the need for inclusive, critical, and creative spaces for dialogue has never been more urgent. In response to this growing polarization, Building Bridges Citizens’ Assemblies, led by Fondazione Studio Rizoma has launched a bold and timely initiative: five public encounters held in different cities across the continent (Italy, Greece, Warsaw, Germany). These events brought together a diverse spectrum of participants, artists, city representatives, activists, thinkers, researchers, workers, migrants, and engaged citizens, united by a shared commitment to reflecting on and reimagining the meaning and function of walls and borders in both the recent past and our contemporary world.
These encounters served not only as forums for discussion and exchange but also as laboratories for democratic experimentation, fostering grassroots engagement and cross-sector collaboration. The focus on borders, physical, symbolic, political, and social, allowed participants to explore the ways in which divisions are constructed, maintained, and contested within and between societies.
Citizens Take Over Europe (2020-ongoing)
Citizens Take Over Europe emerged in the spring 2020 amidst the Covid-19 pandemia, in which we, together with over 15 civil society organisations, recognized how much the lack of European democracy was deeply affecting our lives. CTOE is composed of a group of civil society organizations, citizens and residents from across Europe, who joined in a common effort to promote a forward-looking and citizens-centered European democracy. While our national leaders struggle to find common solutions for the major challenges of our time, from ensuring strong, well-funded and inclusive public services to protecting our planet or guaranteeing fundamental rights across Europe, with this initiative we take our own responsibility to put citizens and residents at the centre of the conversation about the future of Europe.
Assemblies of Solidarity (2021-2022)
Assemblies of Solidarity is a citizens-led engagement and communications project, aiming at connecting groups that are disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The project consists of a series of assemblies made by and for citizens, to raise awareness on key topics revolving around three main pillars:
- Democracy and fundamental rights
- Social Europe and Health
- Environment and climate change
Because the actions of the EP affect people throughout Europe in different ways in their everyday lives, the multi-generational citizens’ assemblies will deliberate on key policy areas that are strategic for both citizens and the European Parliament. The project will result in the co-creation of a feedback mechanism between EU citizens and the EP, a package of petitions to promote the right to petition and other participatory democracy tools (ie. petitions, ECIs, freedom of information requests and other tools).
People Power Participation (2011-2014)
Over three years, European Alternatives organised citizens panels throughout the European Union. The popular consultations involved thousands of Europeans (by birth, choice or circumstance) who were asked to elaborate policy proposals which, in their views, should constitute the primary focus of the next European Parliament and Commission. 50 policy proposals were gathered in the Citizens Manifesto for European Democracy, Solidarity and Equality and served as a sensibilisation and advocacy tool towards the candidates of the European elections in 2014.