On Europe Day, the European Commission is launching an online public consultation, asking all Europeans what direction they want the Union to take in the future. This unique consultation is part of the broader Future of Europe debate launched with the Commission's White Paper on 1 March 2017

For the first time, the Commission convened a Citizens' Panel on 5-6 May to draft this consultation, with a group of 96 Europeans coming to Brussels to work together and draft a 14-question online survey. This unique exercise in participative democracy, hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee, means that citizens are at the heart of the conversation on the Future of Europe.

The consultation is part of the ongoing debate on the future of the EU at 27, launched with the Commission's White Paper of 1 March 2017. People can already submit their views online on the White Paper, and today's consultation will further complement this.

The online consultations run in parallel to the ongoing Citizens' Dialogues being organised by the European Commission and by Member States. Almost 700 of these interactive public debates have been held in 160 cities since 2012, and the Commission will increase their frequency between now and the European elections in May 2019, with a target of organising 500 more events.

In addition to the Commission's work, Citizens' Dialogues are now being organised by national governments in all Member States, following an initiative from France which received the support of the Heads of State or Government of the future EU27. The Commission is sharing the benefits of its experience with Member States.

The online consultation will run until the Sibiu summit on 9 May 2019. The Commission will present an interim report to Member States on the White Paper process at the December 2018 European Council. A final report will then be presented at the first EU27 Summit in Sibiu, Romania, on 9 May 2019, just a few weeks ahead of the European elections.

Related links

Online Citizens' Consultation on the Future of Europe

Factsheet: Dialogue with Citizens ahead of the European elections

Brochure: Citizens' dialogues on the Future of Europe

White Paper on the Future of Europe