The State of the Union Citizens’ Rights Conference is ECAS’s annual flagship event in its EU Rights focus area. It aims to take stock of recent developments in the European Citizenship domain and provide a platform for civil society, decision-makers, and academics to discuss ways to improve EU Rights implementation and innovate EU Citizenship.
The 2025 edition of the Conference will take place on April 15th and will explore actionable solutions to ensure that citizens have a say in how their most valuable rights and values, including the right to free movement and a green transition.
Our first panel will discuss the concerns around the temporary reintroduction of Schengen borders and the lack of adequacy of the current legal framework for new family models. This discussion will take into account recent trends in freedom of movement, including the impact of the 2023 Guidance on the Free Movement Directive published by the European Commission.
The second panel will feature academics and practitioners specialising in engagement with citizens and vulnerable groups. They will address policy-making related to EU Green Deal initiatives, focusing on local and regional contexts, particularly in areas affected by the phase-out of coal, steel, or chemical industries.
The Conference will take place in-person, participants are also welcome to join remotely.
Opening of the SOTEU 2025 edition by Assya Kavrakova, ECAS
9.30- 10.00 Keynote speech by MEP Daniel Freund
10.00- 10.15 Presentation of the Your Europe Advice trends by Claire Damilano, ECAS
10.15-11.20 Panel 1: Freedom of movement at the heart of EU citizenship and identity
▪ Improving freedom of movement of LGBTIQ+ citizens by Robin Zlatarov, Bilitis Foundation
▪ Reverse discrimination: understanding the rights of EU static citizens by Stefano Montaldo, University of Turin
▪ Presentation of the European Commission agenda on freedom of movement by Jan Rohde-Stadler, DG JUST
▪ Fifth freedom: fostering exchange of expertise by enhancing mobility of researchers in the EU, Jacques Delors Institute
11.20-11.35 Q&A
11.35-11.50 COFFEE BREAK
11.50-12.55 Panel 2: Including citizens in the Just Transition
▪ Case studies on citizens’ participation in just transition regions: presentation of the BOLSTER project findings by Michiel Stapper, Tilburg University
▪ Perspectives of Civil Society Organisations on the ground by Maris Pedaja, CEE Bankwatch Network
▪ Digital solutions to citizens’ involvement in the just transition by Brooke Moore, European Policy Centre
▪ Participatory rights and access to justice by Francesca Carlsson, the European Environmental Bureau
12.55-13.10 Q&A
13.10-13.30 ECAS Citizenship Awards ceremony: “Enhancing Digital Inclusion”
Closing remarks by Assya Kavrakova, ECAS
Networking Lunch
For further information, please contact claire.morotsir@ecas.org