2024 already starts with the nickname of the Super Electoral Year. Nearly 4 billion people will experience an electoral process, including the election of the President of the United States or the European Parliament elections, scheduled for June 9th. Closer to home, the most imminent elections are in Galicia and the Basque Country, and it is likely that elections will be called in Catalonia before the end of the year.

The outcome of the European elections will set new majorities in Parliament, with a warning light on the potential growth of the European far right (which will join a European Council with members of the same orientation) and will also define the election of the new Commission, its strategy, and priorities. The acceleration or delay of the European Green Deal, the timeline for enlargement, unity around support for Ukraine, the reform or revision of the Treaties... all are at stake depending on the result, but more importantly, the possibility of finally endowing the European Union with its own economic and political entity, with a democratic foundation.

The global challenges and transformations that Europe must face pose enormous difficulties: from decarbonization to climate change; from growing internal inequality to population displacements due to economic, climatic, or violent reasons; from the proliferation of new and old conflicts to new threats in the form of organized crime; from the demands of minority groups to the rise of the far right...

It is not possible to face these challenges from the singularity of nation-states, nor even from a hesitant or incomplete European project. Only with a Europe more united politically, stronger economically, with more involvement from cities and regions, and more generous both inside and outside its borders, will it be possible to face this new period of European construction. This is the challenge of the European elections, a mobilization to make it happen.

At the Catalunya Europa Foundation, we have prepared a program of activities and publications to support the necessary mobilization of Catalan society at this key moment, especially young people, who can become a barrier to the rise of the far right.

The monthly Café Europa event, as an online debate on current European issues; the new edition of the "What Does Europe Mean to You" awards for secondary school students, the "Europe" prize for Baccalaureate Research Projects, and the Pasqual Maragall Legacy Research Prize for academic papers are just a few examples.

We are certain that European construction can only be based on an informed, critical, and committed citizenry and a political project close to local realities and committed to generating wealth and equity. To make this possible, the Foundation relies on the support and collaboration of public and private institutions, but we also need your support. You can contribute through the Foundation’s Network with an annual donation and by sharing your ideas with us. We look forward to hearing from you!

By Dolors Camats Luis, Director of the Catalunya Europa Foundation