Civil Society Europe is partner to a Horizon 2020 project led by the University of Siegen in Germany as part of a consortium of seven European universities and civil society.
Consortium Members
- Public university in Siegen, Germany;
- Masaryk University, Czech Republic;
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark;
- Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Greece;
- University of Siena, Italy;
- University of Warsaw, Poland;
- University of Belgrade, Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, Serbia
The project, which has been selected by the European Commission among a highly competitive bid, is called “EnTrust – Enlightened Trust” , started in February 2020 and will run until the beginning of 2024.
.The EnTrust project will seek solutions to important societal challenges: the erosion of trust and the rise of distrust in national and European governance in a context of multiple crises, which affect also trust in other institutions (markets, media or science). EnTrust will produce in-depth knowledge and increase the understanding of all political and social actors affected by current developments in order to propel those actions necessary to prevent harm to democratic governance and restore the relations between citizens and institutions.
The findings of this project will be an important contribution to current policy discussions on trust, accountability and transparency in governance, but also on the role of civil society organisations and civic movement as intermediary bodies between citizens and decision makers in building trust. It will also contribute to problem solving in these areas.
CSE is responsible for work package 7, which examines the (trust) relationship between pan-European civil society organisations (CSOs) and EU institutions. We analysed EU institutions’ legal frameworks and practices, as well as publications of CSOs, to understand the evolution of the relationship and current challenges. At the moment, we are carrying out a survey targeting CSOs at the EU level to understand challenges in their advocacy work and wishes for processes such as participation and funding.
EVENTS
25 APRIL | EnTrust lunchtime online debate: Distrust, disengagement and the challenges of democracy
This event will reflect on current trends around citizens’ (dis)trust towards democratic institutions (e.g. abstentionism on the rise in Europe’s elections), as well as how to redress a narrative of generalised distrust while constructively re-engaging disillusioned citizens.
To do so, with the participation of representatives of CSOs and EU institutions, the debate will discuss the ‘Guide on Enlightened Trust’ which provides scientific evidence on levels & forms of trust and distrust in political institutions, the determinants that impact their development, and the consequences and potential scenarios associated with different constellations of trust and distrust in democratic governance.
23 APRIL 2024 | EnTrust lunchtime debate: A pact on informed and open policy debate: Civil dialogue and the (dis)trust relationship between civil society and EU institutions
This hybrid event will delve into the (dis)trust relationship between civil society organisations and EU institutions, and the topic of creating a civil dialogue for EU policymaking. The debate will present the EnTrust project findings and policy recommendations, as well as a summary of the experience of drafting a training manual on civil dialogue and its testing. It will offer a space for decision-makers and representatives of CSOs to discuss ways of establishing a real framework for civil dialogue, and to reflect on the nature of the (dis)trust relationship between civil society and the EU.
19 MARCH 2024 | EnTrust online debate: Evidence-informed policy making and the role of ‘knowledge-intermediaries’
The EnTrust project event will focus on the role of scientific evidence in policy making, its current challenges and future paths. In this context, it will also reflect upon the role of ‘knowledge-intermediaries’ in detecting, processing and presenting policy-relevant evidence for policymakers. The event will also discuss the Manual for Evidence-informed Policy Making with the participation of speakers from the world of ‘knowledge-intermediaries’.
Find out more and register here.
10 JANUARY 2024 | EnTrust Research and Final Conferences
On 10th January 2024, the Horizon 2020 EnTrust project consortium joins to present the findings of 4 years of research on trust and distrust in governance in two final events.
- EnTrust Research Conference: “Practice and research avenues on trust and distrust in governance”
- EnTrust Final Conference: “Acting to (re)build citizens’ trust in EU governance”
Find out more and register here.
28 – 29 SEPTEMBER 2023 | International Conference
“Trust and Distrust in Governance: Exploring the Impact of Social and Political Dynamics”
Find out more here.
28 JUNE 2023 | Roundtable discussion on (dis)trust attitudes in governance
“Tracing (Dis)Trust in the Run Up to the European Elections: Adult and Youth Attitudes towards Governments and Institutions”
Find out more here.
9 FEBRUARY 2023 | Online roundtable debate: Trustworthy Media
“How can the EU fight (partisan) Disinformation and Hate Speech and protect Media Freedom and Human Rights?”
Find out more here.
20 JUNE 2022 | ONLINE ROUNDTABLE DEBATE
“Social movements as alternative arenas of political participation: mobilising citizens in the re-creation of trust and distrust”.
Find out more here.
10 DECEMBER 2021 | LUNCH-TIME DEBATE
“Trust and distrust at the street level of public policy”
Find out more here.
30 NOVEMBER 2020 | ONLINE ROUNDTABLE DEBATE
“Trust and distrust in governance: the role of media, science and civil society”
Find out more here.
15 JUNE 2020 | ONLINE ROUNDTABLE DEBATE
“Trust and distrust in governance – what is at stake?”
Find out more here.
PUBLICATIONS
INTEGRATED POLICY PAPER
The Integrated Policy Paper aims to present the policy recommendations stemming from the research streams explored by the EnTrust team. It is based on the findings and recommendations presented in the seven European Policy Briefs (PBs), which are based on the research conducted by the team, and enriched by roundtable discussions with stakeholders. The paper gives a holistic overview of the findings of the EnTrust research as presented in the PBs, and then provides twelve overarching recommendations stemming from them.
EUROPEAN POLICY BRIEF 7
A vibrant civic space and trustworthy civil dialogue at the EU level
EUROPEAN POLICY BRIEF 5
Fostering trust in governance: insights from a developmental-psychological perspective
EUROPEAN POLICY BRIEF 4
Building Trust and Distrust in the Media: The Role of Disinformation
and Media Freedo
EUROPEAN POLICY BRIEF 3
The Role of Democratic Social movements in Trust & Distrust building
EUROPEAN POLICY BRIEF 2
Trust and Distrust at the Street-level of Public policy
EUROPEAN POLICY BRIEF 1
The theoretical and normative underpinnings of trust and distrust
Integrated Report on Trust and the Media
Integrated Report on the Role of Democratic Social Movements
Integrated Report on Trust and Distrust at the Street-level of Public Policy
First Manuscript on Trust and Distrust in Governance
ENTRUST WEBSITE
Visit the EnTrust website and find out our latest news!
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870572