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.
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.
This fifth iteration of the project focuses on the 2024 European Elections. We will implement 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.
Goals
- Strengthening strategic communication and outreach capacity of change-makers toward democratic engagement
The project positively influences societal narratives on a large scale, equipping organisations with valuable knowledge to enhance their communication and outreach capacities. To this end, our research’s results are published on our website and shared during events and workshops.
- Creating and optimising messages for middle/persuadable audience and adapting it for specific national situations
The project has examined citizens’ attitudes towards the EU and democracy, as well as specific issues like the environment, immigration, gender equality, and human rights. In addition, it has tested campaigns from 19 European civil society organisations and institutions ahead of the 2019 European elections and during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating how different audiences react to their messaging. In the context of the 2024 European elections, we will be implementing data-driven digital campaigns in 8 EU countries to increase voters’ participation.
- Informing citizens and supporting their democratic engagement
Ultimately, we provide data that help to shape effective communication strategies that aim at raising citizens’ awareness of the critical role and democratic values of the European Union, encouraging engagement and active democratic participation.
Results
The project has been successful in reaching millions of people across Europe through digital campaigns in EU countries, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing Democracy Tables. In 2022, the Listen to People campaign reached a record of 21.6 million citizens through citizens’ outreach campaigns, opinion polls, and social media listening in nine countries.
Partners and Donors
The LISTEN TO PEOPLE project was co-funded by the European Parliament Action Grant. The first iterations of the projects were funded by the Open Society Foundation.
