The role which civil society should play to give a sense of direction to European integration has been attracting greater attention over the last years. The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFEU) has shown that citizens want more Europe. They however also want to pursue clearer and bolder policy goals. 🎯

For instance, they see the establishment of a Single European Capital Market not as a purpose in itself, but as a way to broadening opportunities for everybody's success. Still, the two processes of a Banking Union and a Capital Markets Union’ are only partially achieved. Who has put sand in the wheels in Brussels?

And is it still possible – and how – to bring together dreams and reality, reconciling public and particular interests? 🤔

The experience of Finance Watch as a European citizens network trying to ensure that finance serves society is inspiring to respond these and other questions. Is there a vibrant fight for ideas and ideals in Brussels to which citizens can contribute? Can their associations infiltrate a formal institutional framework like today's Europe with a more bottom-up agenda? Are European institutions ready to accept it? Is the European Parliament able to balance the influence of lobbyists and citizens’ representatives? Can the experience of the CoFEU become part of a more citizen-driven EU policy making?

Let’s discuss these questions and your questions together at the event. 😊

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