Bertelsmann Stiftung "Europe"

Europe and its neighbours: leveraging the potential of green energy production

Fri, 17 May 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Economic, social and political relations between Europe and its southern neighbourhood are important - even though the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is torn apart by wars and conflicts. In addition, the entire region around the Mediterranean is severely affected by climate change, with heat and water shortages affecting societies. Joint green energy production projects can increase trans-Mediterranean trade potential, as most countries are on a path of economic growth despite the adverse local conditions.

The New Geo-Economic Instruments of the European Union

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Economic interdependence has become increasingly weaponised in the context of rising geopolitical tensions. In response, the EU has introduced a series of new protective instruments. This study provides an overview of these new instruments, the issues they are meant to address, as well as the corresponding decision mechanisms. Their effectiveness depends on their linkage with measures to increase economic resilience, as well as EU member states’ willingness to act jointly and decisively.

Paving the way towards EU reform and enlargement

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 15:20:26 +0100

In the fourth online Democracy Conversation organized within the EU Democracy Reform Observatory Tiago Antunes, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs, Corina Stratulat from the European Policy Centre, and Dominik Hierlemann, Senior Advisor from the Bertelsmann Stiftung tackled the pressing question: how can the EU tackle an ambitious double challenge of enlargement and internal reform?

Connecting ECI and European Citizens Panels - from two separate instruments towards an impactful integration.

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:15:58 +0100

Could integrating the existing instruments of EU citizen participation, such as the European Citizens Initiative (ECI) and European Citizens Panels (ECP), lead to greater citizen engagement, and what practical steps could be taken to achieve this synergy and enhance their impact?

"Energising EU Cohesion", Brussels, 11 March 2024 at 5:30 pm CET

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Over 80% of total greenhouse gas emissions originate from the energy sector, making the transition to renewable sources crucial for achieving climate-neutrality under Europe’s Green Deal. However, this shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources could bring about significant economic transformations for different European regions. A recent study by the Bertelsmann Stiftung examines the economic impacts of the energy transition for all European regions.

Two Years of Russia’s Large-Scale Invasion – “Zeitenwende” or the End of a Free Ukraine?

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0100

For two years, since February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been resisting the Russian war of aggression. For ten years, Ukraine has been exposed to attacks in the East and South and from hybrid operations. And the war has taken a brutal toll – flags are raised in central squares across the country to commemorate the fallen.

A breath of fresh air for European politics: How young European politicians are becoming participation professionals

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Actively involving citizens in European politics - that was the common goal of over 30 politicians from 25 European countries at our Winter School "Becoming a Participation Professional". Newly elected mayors from Ukraine, Italy or Slovenia, presidents of local parliaments from Portugal, Latvia, Austria, members of national and local parliaments from Cyprus, Bulgaria, Serbia, France, Luxembourg - they all took part in the three-day Winter School from 14 to 16 February 2024 in Brussels and learned new methods of citizen participation.

EU Strategic Toolbox Talks

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:44:06 +0100

In our event series EU Strategic Toolbox Talks, we are focusing on existing and upcoming EU instruments aimed at managing critical dependencies and strengthening the EU’s sovereignty and external economic governance. These instruments form an important basis for fostering the EU’s capability to act in a global environment increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions and systemic rivalries. Our online discussion series features speakers from the EU institutions, industry representatives, and think tank experts who provide an inside-view of the political and geoeconomic rationale behind these these instruments and give a business perspective on their practical implementation and effectiveness.

Online Panel Discussion at the Munich Security Conference Resilient Horizons: Charting a Course for Climate Change and Implications for Global Security

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0100

In recent years, the world has experienced a convergence of extreme weather events, food and energy crises, and global competition for critical resources, all highlighting the profound security implications posed by climate change. The international nature of these challenges necessitates enhanced cooperation among global actors (both public sector and private sector) to find effective and long-lasting solutions.

Learning from Ireland: How citizen participation changes democracy

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:42:59 +0100

The Irish Citizens’ Assembly model is globally recognised as a successful model for deliberative democracy. It involves citizens in a new way and delivers solutions in cases of political stalemate. Together with the Irish Embassy, our team New Democracy invited Art O’Leary, the pioneering organiser of the Irish Citizen’s Assembly, to the Bertelsmann Stiftung premises in Berlin. At the lively round table event, experts discussed the circumstances behind the success of Irish citizen participation and how they could be applied to Germany.