The “SECURE: Strengthening European Communities, Uniting Regions and Reinforcing Engagement” project aims to address current challenges undermining cohesion and democracy within the European Union. Focusing on the urgent need to strengthen the European dimension and democratic legitimacy of EU decision-making, as well as promoting free, open, and healthy democratic governance in an era marked by low voter turnout, populism, disinformation, and challenges to civil society, the project seeks to support active citizen engagement in European political life and the exercise of their electoral rights. The project entails organizing 5 international meetings aimed at exchanging information, practices, and activities from the local to the national level. The primary objective is to transfer secure and reliable knowledge about EU actions in the international context, highlighting the impacts that crises and international uncertainties have at the local level. Additionally, it aims to promote exchanges between citizens of different countries to enhance mutual understanding, tolerance, and offer them the opportunity to broaden their perspective and develop a sense of European belonging and identity. The desired outcome is the formation of informed, resilient European citizen communities with a high degree of trust in European institutions. Topics covered during the meetings will include the effects of multi-crises on European communities, including those related to the environment, migration, wars, and economies, as well as trust in institutions and civic participation, with particular attention to the democratic divide. The role of citizens in continuously changing international contexts will also be addressed, with a focus on media literacy and countering disinformation.
