Friends of Europe

Friends of Europe are the EU think-tank with a difference. We make Europe’s policy choices lively and relevant to people outside the ‘charmed circle’ of Brussels-based specialists, in our debates and our publications. About half of those who take part in our events are not from Brussels.Friends of Europe has never sought to compete with academic researchers who contribute analysis to the European political process. Our publications, including policy briefings, discussion papers, op-eds and reports are widely disseminated and written by specialists or our Trustees. They are highly readable and explain complex issues in an easily understood manner.

Friends of Europe is part of the Europe’s World Group, an independent and non-partisan alliance that also includes the Europe’s World policy journal and the Debating Europe online citizens’ platform.

Europe’s World is the only pan-European policy journal offering policymakers and opinion-formers across Europe a platform for new ideas and for forging consensus. Debating Europe, with over 175,000 followers on Facebook and Twitter, engages citizens and policymakers in an ongoing conversation on the issues shaping Europe’s future. It allows to debate important issues directly with EU and national policymakers, stakeholders and experts.

The formats of our events are unusual. At one end of the spectrum there are ‘Café Crossfire’ debates, in which leading experts and policymakers answer tough questions from the floor. At the other are major international conferences – “Policy Summits” – that attract top political figures and make headlines. And we are pioneers in harnessing new technology to debating Europe’s future and its role in the world.

Friends of Europe seeks to offer a voice to groups not traditionally represented in the EU debate, but who can make a difference: from regular citizens and young people to inuits or explorers on topics such as climate change, to people on the ground when we address development issues.