Reshaping the Meaning of Democracy to Counter the Rise of Populism & Authoritarianism
As we approach the 2024 European Parliament Elections, we face a critical challenge: redefining “democracy” for first-time voters and young people who have an ambivalent view – or not a view at all – about what it means for them.
Our campaign for the EP elections aims to broaden this understanding, emphasising that the rights and freedoms we enjoy depend on the preservation of true democracy. Engaging young voters now is crucial to fostering a more inclusive society that values collective wellbeing alongside individual rights.
Our Proven Impact
What We Have Achieved So Far
The European Movement International has a longstanding history of addressing key societal issues, with notable successes in shifting public perspectives and policy. Through strategic communications and community engagement, we have helped instill positive narratives in political debates where they happen (be it among citizens on-line or at the centers of power) and we have helped shape more inclusive, pro-European policies across Europe, illustrating our capability and commitment to making a real difference.
Our Goals for Change
What We Aim to Achieve
Our campaign for the European elections this year focuses on reaching young voters across Europe, particularly in countries where misconceptions about democracy fuel divisive political shifts.
By linking democracy to cherished rights and freedoms, we aim to cultivate a deeper understanding of what is at stake and underline our collective responsibility to defend those democratic principles our rights depend on.
Impact Achieved: A Snapshot of Our Success
Our campaign has successfully launched in 12 countries from the four corners of Europe, generating millions of impressions across various on-line and off-line platforms and sparking conversations about our rights & freedom, and democracy.
Click here to see this campaign in different languages.
Our Dynamic Approach: On-line and Off-line Channels
Connecting with Voters Where They Are
Utilising both street-level advertising and digital platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Google Ads. Each ad is crafted from data-driven analysis, audience segmentation and message-targeting, ensuring our campaigns resonate deeply with each one of our target constituencies.
Feedback and Future Campaigns: A Cycle of Improvement
Adapting and Enhancing for Greater Impact
Our campaign includes a feedback loop that integrates responses and data gathered back into our strategy. This ongoing process helps in refining our initiatives and planning future ones, ensuring our campaigns remain relevant and effective.
This comprehensive campaign is not an endpoint but a vital part of our continuous effort to foster a more informed, engaged, and democratic society.
Join us in this pivotal movement as we reshape perceptions of freedom and democracy across Europe.
Talking Europe about the EU Elections
Ahead of the 2024 European elections, we’re featuring Members of European Parliament representing various political groups to take stock of the milestones and achievements of the 2019-2024 mandate, examine the key issues at the heart of this year’s campaign, discuss ongoing challenges to democracy and the rule of law, and look ahead to the upcoming mandate beginning later this year. Click here to watch.
Capacity building: Reaching beyond our base audiences
To find out how to make campaigns that can reach a wider audience, read more about our Listen to People project on the website and see our campaign resources below.
Listen to People
The LISTEN TO PEOPLE project mobilises European citizens around European democracy and values ahead of the European elections in 2024 and strengthens the strategic communication and outreach capacity of civil society, activists, and change-makers. In 2022, we reached a record of 21.6 million citizens through citizens’ outreach campaigns, opinion polls, and social media listening in nine countries.
With sight to increase voter turnout in the 2024 European elections, we have expanded the Listen to People project by implementing capacity-building workshops and develop digital campaigns in 8 EU Member States that promote an impactful, positive societal narrative change to increase voters’ participation. The targeted countries are Estonia, Poland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, and Finland.
Additionally, we held two trainings for 60 activists and communications professionals to build their capacity to reach beyond their echo-chambers, using data-driven communication, digital campaigning and community building.
BACKGROUND: Since 2018, the European Movement International has been developing this communication and campaign methodology that can enable civil society to reach beyond activist and base audiences. Based on recent polling and focus group research, and using cutting-edge analysis, framing, and targeting, we develop campaign messages optimised for middle, persuadable audiences.
Reaching Beyond Our Base Audiences
Playlist
We have developed these resources over the past five years – the core of our efforts to promote positive narratives around democracy and European values.
Our objective is to empower civil society, who have the knowledge, access and trust of citizens, especially on those key issues that people care about, with the means and expertise to infuse public debates with those positive narratives, and to do so at scale and with the ability to reach people outside their echo chambers.
