The programme seeks to:

• Encourage citizens to become actively involved in the process of European integration
• Enable citizens to develop a sense of European identity
• Enhance mutual understanding between European citizens

Programme features:

• Encouraging citizens to take part in exchanges and activities beyond their national borders
• Fostering debate and reflection on the EU’s basic values
• Stimulating networking
• Strengthening the capacity of NGOs and research bodies to contribute to EU policy-making

The results of the programme provide lessons for developing policies on active citizenship in Europe.

 

Programme priorities

• Active European citizenship
• The future of the Union and its basic values
• Intercultural dialogue
• People's wellbeing in Europe: employment, social cohesion and sustainable development
• Impact of EU policies in societies

In addition to these overarching priorities, the programme sets a number of shorter-term annual priorities to address changing circumstances.

These annual priorities are available on the citizenship website:

• Annual thematic priorities 2012(156 KB)  
• Annual thematic priorities 2011(27 KB)  
• Annual thematic priorities 2010(38 KB)  
• Annual thematic priorities 2009(69 KB)