The EU for Global Transnational Citizens Panel in Copenhagen, Denmark from the 19-21 of November, 2025, hosted by Nyt Europa, brought together citizens from Malta, Greece, Spain, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Germany, and Denmark to discuss climate change, sustainability, and democratic participation in the EU.
Over three days, participants explored the climate challenges facing their countries, exchanged knowledge on local initiatives, and worked collaboratively to develop a set of policy recommendations. The conversations and recommendations focused on climate resilience and security, the just transition, corporate responsibility, ecological democracy, and the role of citizens in democratic processes at both national and European levels.
Working together with civil society, experts, and citizens
The programme combined workshops, talks, discussions, and participatory exercises with cultural exchange and networking. Participants met with civil society organisations, experts, think tank representatives, and practitioners working on climate policy, democracy, and sustainability in Denmark and across the EU. The panels created a collaborative space for open dialogue, where everyday citizens sat alongside experts and representatives of NGOs to understand complex and cross-border climate issues affecting the EU. Throughout the event, participants were encouraged to actively contribute, share perspectives, and reflect on how citizens can meaningfully influence EU climate policy.
Participants produced a set of policy recommendations spanning four main themes: (1) Participation and Democratisation; discussing how citizens across Europe can affect change democratically, focusing on existing measures and improvements (2) Security and Climate; discussing how the EU’s increasingly geopolitical posturing can be compatible with its ambitious climate agenda (3) Sustainability and Competitiveness; the question of how to balance climate regulation and the demands of remaining competitive in the global economy (4) A Just Transition; how structural and institutional challenges and barriers within the EU can be overcome in achieving climate agenda goals.
Thus, the Copenhagen Transnational Citizens’ panel demonstrated the value of involving citizens directly in European decision-making. By gathering diverse experiences and insights from across the continent, the event strengthened democratic engagement and came with proposals for more inclusive, responsible, and forward-looking climate policies in the EU. To see the list of recommendations, click here.
To read all the recommendations collected throughout Europe during Local and Transnational Citizens’ Panels, click here.
The EU for Global project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CERV. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
