I. Introduction

"The Future of Europe – Our opinion Counts" was a transnational project, supported by the European Union, that contributed to the European dimension of the public debate on the future of Europe. It was developed together with partners in three different EU member states and seven applicant countries.

The project consisted in organising certain information activities in order to encourage a public debate on the future of Europe.

 The following activities were carried out:

1. Public competitions on the future of Europe

2. A survey on the Future of Europe.

3. Workshops for 20-30 participants on special EU topics regarding to the common Europe of 25

4. A conference in Vienna with about 200 participants from all partner countries which lead to a common Central European Declaration on the Future of Europe, elaborated during the Conference.

5.  A simulation game on the “Constitutional Convention” with 80 international participants in Vienna

6. Public information stands within the framework of the Europe Day 2004 I order guarantee a debate on Europe's future close to the citizens by promoting the project results.

7. A study visit to Brussels for the winner of the public competition.

To give broad and public access to all project activities a common project website was established. Via www.citizens.eu.org the citizens had the possibility to get informed of the current status of the project activities.

To promote the single project activities a free card, posters to announce the public competition, the workshop and the final conference as well as the simulation game on the Constitutional Convention were produced.

In order to guarantee sustainability a common project folder was published which also contains the Central European Declaration elaborated during the conference in Vienna.

Project Partners:

Austria:                      Info Point Europe Vienna of the Vienna Business Agency (project co-ordinator)
Austrian Society for European Politics
City of Vienna - International Affairs Department
European Federalist Movement Austria
Young European Federalists Austria
Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe
Vienna Business Agency – Euro Info Centre and Office for Central and Eastern Europe

Czech Republic: City of Prague - International Affairs Department
Union of European Federalists Czech Republic

Greece:       Young European Federalists Greece
Info Point Europe Komotini

Hungary:    European Movement Hungary
Italy:           Info Point Europe Modena

                 Progetto Europa Commune di Modena

Poland:      Austrian Cultural Forum Krakow

Slovakia:  Union of European Federalists Slovakia
Slovenia: Young European Federalists Slovenia

Bulgaria:  Union of European Federalists Bulgaria

Romania: Civitas Foundation