The European Movement is a network of organisations that has mobilised citizens and advocated for a democratic, federal and enlarged union since 1948.

Legal form

Non-profit organization

Objectives

The European Movement is an international organisation open to all political, economic, social and cultural trends in civil society. Its objective is to contribute to the establishment of a united, federal Europe founded on the principles of peace, democracy, liberty, solidarity, and respect for basic human rights.

It seeks to provide a structure to encourage and facilitate the active participation of citizens and civil society organisations in the development of a united Europe. Its national councils and associated member organisations work towards bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises, trade unions and individual lobbyists.

Born over half a century ago, the European Movement has played a crucial role in the construction of Europe and the organisation’s attention centres on influencing political, social and cultural arenas within the framework of the European Civil Society.

The European Movement works as a study and information group, and also as a pressure group. It operates as a study and information group through the many projects and activities undertaken, and has been at the forefront in helping large segments of the public take part in the dissemination of information on European affairs and activities. It operates as a pressure group through the influence exerted by its members at all levels in each sector of activity. The European Parliament, Commission, national parliaments, authorities and governments, business-people, industry associations, NGOs and the many associations which make up the civil society in Europe have been influenced through the European Movement’s network of contacts.

Influence is exerted at the EU level via the European Movement International and its individual member organisations and at the level of member countries via national councils, covering a geographical area that extends across the continent. The European Movement is also the only NGO of its type that covers almost all of Europe, EU countries, the candidate countries as well as non-candidate countries, and as such provides effective information dissemination with a large multiplier effect across Europe.

An opportunity to support the European Movement is therefore given to all those who want Europe to progress towards a stronger, more democratic and efficient union with a strong voice on the international stage.

Main Activities

The work of the European Movement International is organised into Political Committees, each of which take the lead on set themes decided by the members at the Federal Assembly.

For 2015-2017 the EMI political committees are the following:

– Europe in the world
– Jobs, competitiveness and sustainable growth
– More democracy, citizens’ rights and freedom

The European Movement regularly runs campaigns, organises high level conference and briefings, and publishes reports and analysis.

Strengths

– Created by the political founders of Europe
– Strong links with European institutions
– Real influence on the European integration process
– Capacity to organise citizens’ consultations and to bring the results to the politcal level
– Wide geographical representativity (including States which are not members of the Union)

Files

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