The project Citizens for EU Enlargement (CitizEn) addresses the need for 

  1. an informed public debate
  2. more citizen involvement in the enlargement process to ensure societal readiness for future EU accessions 
  3. better exchange between think tanks in candidate countries of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe as well as the EU member states.  

By uniting the activities of individual think tanks and NGOs in the form of a campaign, the project will channel efforts to strengthen the European project both within and outside of the current EU. Workshops will bring together NGOs and think tanks from 11 EU member states with the highest levels of enlargement scepticism – France, Czechia, Austria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Belgium, Slovakia and Portugal (Eurobarometer, September 2025) – and from EU candidate countries, enabling them to share challenges and best practices on how to communicate with citizens on EU enlargement. The findings will be developed into a joint strategy and toolkit to improve communication, information-sharing and citizen engagement around EU enlargement to prepare societies for an enlarged EU. 

Objectives  

  • Improved public understanding of EU enlargement in both candidate and member states 
  • Enhanced citizen participation and reduced misconceptions about enlargement 
  • A more informed voting behaviour in the upcoming elections determining the governments of the EU member countries as well as the next European elections 
  • Contribution to a stronger, more connected European project in line with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s priorities 
  • Continued cooperation in the established cross-border network of thinks tanks and NGOs in at least three candidate countries as well as at least eleven EU countries 

 

Funding:  

Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

 

Duration: 

January – December 2026 

 

Project coordinators: 

Project lead: Sebastian Schäffer (s.schaeffer@idm.at)

Sophia Beiter (s.beiter@idm.at) 

Rebecca Thorne (r.thorne@idm.at) 

Elena Marko (e.marko@idm.at)

Ninon Bouteloup (n.bouteloup@idm.at)

CitizEn Micro-Grants – Support for local engagement on EU enlargement

The Citizens for EU Enlargement (CitizEn) project is launching a call for up to 15 micro-grants of 500 € to 750 € to support local initiatives that engage citizens in discussions about the future of EU enlargement. 

We are looking for creative and locally relevant initiatives – from public discussions and workshops to cultural events, youth activities or communication campaigns – that create opportunities for dialogue and participation, and address questions, concerns and expectations surrounding a future enlarged European Union.  

Applications are open to organisations in 11 EU member states and three candidate countries. The deadline to apply is 25 October 2026. 

Who can apply? 

Think tanks, NGOs, educational institutions, youth organisations, cultural organisations, local media initiatives, as well as other local multipliers or organisations with an established connection to their community. 

Applicants must be based in one of the following EU Member States: France, Czechia, Austria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Belgium, Slovakia or Portugal; or in one of the following candidate countries: Albania, Moldova or Montenegro. 

What do the micro-grants support? 

The grants are intended to support concrete meaningful opportunities for citizens to learn about, discuss or participate in debates on EU enlargement. The format is open and should be chosen based on what applicants consider most effective for reaching and engaging their target audience. This could be an event, a communication campaign or another innovative format. 

The proposed activity should go beyond simply disseminating information and should include active participation and exchange. Applicants are encouraged to address concrete, locally relevant issues that shape public attitudes towards enlargement. Initiatives that reach groups traditionally less engaged in discussions about European affairs are particularly welcome.  

Grant and duration 

Each selected initiative will receive a micro-grant of 500 € up to 750 €. 

The grants should be used to implement activities between 1 January and 31 May 2027. 

The grant can cover reasonable costs directly related to the implementation of the activity (e.g. venue costs, communication materials, travel and accommodation for speakers or participants, translation, refreshments etc.). 

In addition to financial support, grantees will receive access to the CitizEn communication toolkit, including practical guidance and communication materials on EU enlargement, which they are welcome to use in their activities. 

Grantees will also be connected to the wider CitizEn network of think tanks and civil society organisations across Europe. Where appropriate, selected initiatives may be showcased as examples of good practice through CitizEn communication channels. 

Application process 

Applicants should complete the following application form and send it to s.beiter@idm.at: Document for application

The deadline for applications is 25 October 2026. 

Selected applicants will be informed by the end of November 2026. The selected activities will be presented at the IDM Conference on 3 December 2026.