Civil Society Europe is partner to a Horizon 2020 research project on trust and distrust in governance led by the University of Siegen, Germany within a consortium of five European universities:

• 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, Serbia Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory

The project, which has been selected by the European Commission among a highly competitive bid, is called “EnTrust – Enlightened Trust” . Entrust started in February 2020 and will run until the beginning of 2024. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870572.

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.

We believe that 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.

For further information please visit the Entrust website