OPEK 32 actions for informed European citizens COMPLETION OF A EUROPEAN PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN CITIZENS’ PARTNERSHIP “TOGETHER – WE”

With multi-level activities at the community level, the OPEK Association for Social Reform completed the European co-funded project “We Together”, which focused on the European Elections 2024 to enhance democratic participation of citizens.

OPEK set the objective to develop and deepen public dialogue with policy makers – MEPs and candidates, European Commission officials, national officials, parliamentarians and technocrats – on the main issues of concern to citizens.

Nine intensive months

OPEK activities started from October 2023 and escalated as the June 2024 elections approached. They were multilevel and open to developing a critical citizens approach to highlight civil society expectations and the benefits of EU membership, to question policy makers in an impartial manner and, in the end, to enable citizens to make more informed decisions to vote.

Forms of activities

Activities included open debates – in person and/or online, pod casts, and workshops with the younger generation, as well as targeted information campaigns. In total, 32 activities were organized over 9 months.

Topics

The topics included issues prioritized by civil society and included:

• the rule of law and the fight against corruption using European institutional interventions and tools,
• the development of a renewed Cyprus – EU perspective especially for the younger generation, assessing the lessons and experience of 20 years of EU membership,
• the need for a settlement of the Cyprus problem and the role of the EU in efforts to resume talks and reconciliation with the Turkish Cypriot community,
• the issues of stability and security for Europe under the weight of triggering international conflicts (Ukraine, Gaza – Middle East)
• the effective management of migration and the implementation of fair and rapid asylum procedures to familiarize themselves with EU policies in areas such as environmental and digital transition. 

Partnerships

OPEK has succeeded in partnering with the European institutions, the European Parliament and the European Commission, with schools and universities in Cyprus, with other organizations in Cyprus and Greece, and with the Turkish Cypriot community. The participation of citizens and young people in the activities exceeded expectations and information on the project activities reached thousands of citizens.

All OPEK activities are posted on the program website

“We – Together” in Greek and in English at the link:

www.opekcy.org/wetogether

Contact
OPEK – email [email protected] | +35796387498