Europe is not a finished project. It’s a living idea. Restless, inclusive, and full of potential. But today, that idea is under pressure. War, climate crisis, democratic fatigue, and social fragmentation are testing the continent’s foundations. The question is no longer if Europe will change, but how.

To explore this, Ivana Dragičević, award-winning journalist and Europe’s Futures alumna, reached out to the Europe’s Futures Fellows – thinkers, activists, and changemakers from across the continent. She asked them what they see as the most urgent challenges ahead for Europe. Their answers are not just reflections. They are calls to action.

This series brings their voices together. It is an echo of Europe in motion, uncertain, complex, but still full of promise. Watch not just to understand what is at stake, but to imagine what is possible.

Challenges facing Europe

From overcoming complacency, to security concerns, rising authoritarianism, and helping citizens make sense of a rapidly changing world – these are some of the challenges Europe faces today, argue Soli Özel, Stefan Lehne, Nathalie Tocci, Rosa Balfour, Dimitar Bechev, Oana Popescu-Zamfir, and Ivan Krastev in episode 1 of the »Europe’s Futures« video series by Ivana Dragičević,.

Europe’s New Social Contract 

Europe’s social contract must be rewritten in cooperation with the next generation and through the active participation of citizens. An increasingly unforeseeable future, unpredictability as a source of anxiety, and peace no longer taken for granted all create a strong sense of urgency to act. 

In this episode of the »Europe’s Futures« video series, authored by Ivana Dragičević, Katy Hayward, Alida Vračić, Szuzsanna Zeleny, Wojciech Przybylski, Bernd Marin and Ivan Vejvoda discuss the challenges ahead for Europe. 

Can Europe Keep Up? 

How can Europe preserve its shared rules for societal stability in times of deep polarization? How can we keep societies open, based on values and human rights, while maintaining citizens’ sense of identity? How can we validate community concerns and remain true to European values? 

In this episode of the »Europe’s Futures« video series, authored by Ivana Dragičević, Alberto Alemanno, Ioannis Armakolas, Nicole Koenig, Zoran Nečev, Valbona Zeneli, Grigorij Mesežnikov, and Amanda Coakley discuss the challenges ahead for Europe. 

Born from the Europe’s Futures Fellowship by IWM and ERSTE Foundation, the Europe’s Futures Initiative will become a new platform based in Vienna, tackling Europe’s most pressing challenges – from democratic resilience to global power shifts. 

Led by a network of experts and changemakers, and grounded in European values, EFI is here to shape the future of the continent. 

Videos:

Author: Ivana Dragičević

Video/Editing: Konrad Mulvaj, Bojan Kostić