futurEU is a student-led initiative, founded in 2019 by master students of the Hertie School, and seeking to contribute to shaping the EU of tomorrow by involving students in the public debate.
A platform to give young citizens a voice on EU reform
futurEU Competition 2024
Are You a (Euro)visionary? Join the futurEU Competition!
Gear up for an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the European Union in this year's futurEU Competition! Whether you consider yourself a (euro)visionary or aspire to become one, this is your chance to make a difference.
2024 marks the 10th time European citizens head to the polls. What values will they prioritize? Who will they elect? It's up to you to define the narrative! From crafting an election program to undergoing a democratic vote and transforming your ideas into a policy proposal—this competition empowers you to lead change.
To celebrate the elections, which will take place on the 9th of June 2024, sixteen days after the finals, the futurEU Initiative is organizing a special edition. Teams from diverse backgrounds and perspectives converge, contributing fresh ideas and solutions to propel Europe into a new era. The competition's unique format challenges participants to think beyond conventional boundaries, fostering collaboration and dialogue that transcend geographical and political divides. The participants will have to navigate the complexities of a post-Brexit era and grapple with the challenges posed by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Join use in embracing the possibilities and bridging the gap between students.
Registration is is now closed.
Key dates
The deadline for individual registrations is 26 January. On 30 January, there will be a networking event for individual registrants to meet each other and find a team! Team registration deadline is 5 February.
Semifinals and finals will be held in Berlin* on 24 May.
Interested to know more?
Check out the futurEU website>>
*on-site participation for the (semi-)finals is yet to be confirmed.
Find out more on the past editions
With 104 teams participating, over 260 students and researchers from across all ten CIVICA partners entered the 2023 edition with proposals on the topic "Climate Change and Societal Transformation: How Can EU Policy Advance Climate Protection and Sustainability in a Turbulent World?"
On 21 April, the Hertie School hosted the final rounds of the futurEU 2023 competition in Berlin.
The competition process
The competition consists of two rounds: written and oral. For the written round, the teams have to submit a policy brief on the competition’s topic and a 2-minute audio recording summarizing their idea and its relevance for the future of the European Union. The Jacques Delors Centre selects the best briefs for the oral round, and the authors present their proposal in front of a jury of EU experts in Berlin (accommodation and travel costs are covered). Ahead of the written rounds, all registered teams have access to exclusive workshops on the topic, including policy brief writing, held by experts at the Jacques Delors Centre, Berlin. More workshops for the competition participants take place throughout the written and oral rounds.
The futurEU competition 2022 provides CIVICA students and PhD researchers with a platform to actively find and propose policy solutions tackling questions of EU reform. The competition is organised with the support of the Jacques Delors Centre Berlin, the Hertie School, and CIVICA.
During the registration period, students and PhD researchers from the CIVICA alliance teamed up for the opportunity to have their proposal on EU reform published by the Jacques Delors Centre Berlin.
Next steps
The competition consists of two rounds: written and oral. For the written round, the teams have to submit a policy brief on the competition’s topic. The best briefs will be selected for the oral round, and the authors will present their proposal in front of a jury of EU experts in Berlin (accommodation and travel costs covered!). Ahead of the written rounds, all registered teams will have access to exclusive workshops on the topic, including policy brief writing, held by experts at the Jacques Delors Centre Berlin. More workshops for the competition participants will take place throughout the written and oral rounds.
Where and when?
futurEU is planning to host the oral rounds at the Hertie School in Berlin, on 7 and 8 April 2022. In case current health regulations do not allow an on-site event, futurEU has made a backup plan to host the oral rounds online.
Why? Students must have their say in debates on the future of the EU.
The winning team is invited to Berlin to work on their proposal with experts from the Jacques Delors Centre Berlin and get their policy brief published on the Centre's website.
Registrations for the competition have closed.
Further questions?
Visionary scenario: The European Council President just convened a Convention for treaty reform. Your team has been given carte blanche (full discretion) on preparing one major treaty reform to be negotiated at the intergovernmental conference. What reform would your team present?
The competition consisted of two rounds: written and oral. For the written round, 39 teams made up of 122 students from seven CIVICA universities submitted policy briefs on the competition’s topic. Eights briefs were selected for the oral rounds and presented in front of a jury of experts during the semi-finals. The best two teams presented their briefs in the public Final Round on 15 April 2021.
The winning team consists of Neslihan Altun (master's student, Hertie School) and Elena Schulz-Ruhtenberg (master's student, Sciences Po), with a proposal on EU treaty reform focused on the Committee of the Regions. The team will work on their proposal with experts from the Jacques Delors Centre Berlin and get their policy brief published on the Centre's website.
Submit your application
Registrations are now closed.
On stage announcing the two finalist teams from Bocconi
Experts from the Jacques Delors Centre judged the proposals
Re-watch the past editions
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