Under the guidance of Jacques Delors who created Notre Europe in 1996, the association hopes to "think a united Europe," in other words to contribute to a closer union of the peoples of Europe, as explained in our Charter. The association participates in current debates, with positions informed through detailed policy analysis and concrete policy proposals.

Activities

In this vein, the staff of Notre Europe directs research projects; produces and disseminates analyses in the form of short notes, studies, and articles; and organises public debates and seminars. The president and the Board take positions on issues judged to be vital to the future of the Union.

All of our analyses and policy proposals are available for free, via our website. These works are intended for decision-makers, academics, citizens, and public opinion-shapers of the entire Union, and are concentrated around four themes:

• Visions of Europe: The community method, the enlargement and deepening of the EU, and the European project as a whole are a work in constant progress. Notre Europe provides in-depth analysis and proposals that help find a path through the multitude of Europe's possible futures.
• European democracy in action: Democracy is an everyday priority. Notre Europe believes that European integration is a matter for every citizen, actor of civil society and level of authority within the Union. Notre Europe therefore seeks to identify and promote ways of further democratising European governance.
• Cooperation, competition, solidarity: « Competition that stimulates, co-operation that strengthens, and solidarity that unites ». This, in essence, is the European contract as defined by Jacques Delors. True to this approach, Notre Europe explores and promotes innovative solutions in the fields of economic, social and sustainable development policy.
• Europe and world governance: As an original model of governance in an increasingly open world, the European Union has a role to play on the international scene and in matters of world governance. Notre Europe seeks to help define this role.

What is a think tank?

Notre Europe is classified as a 'think tank,' or an organisation that functions as an independent research and policy analysis centre.

A think tank is, in effect, a permanent organisation whose key mission is the dissemination of solutions to policy challenges. To this end, a think tank employs a research team; proposes new policy ideas, analyses, and recommendations; widely communicates the results of its research, particularly to decision-makers, the media, and public opinion; and contributes to the advancement of public debate.

A think tank works in the public interest, and therefore maintains freedom of research and represents no special interests, public or private.

How do we work?

Notre Europe's ambition is to think creatively about EU policy issues, to produce academic quality analyses, and concrete public policy solutions, destined to be used by relevant policy-makers at the European Union and Member State levels. The timeframe considered in Notre Europe's analyses lies between the media's short term reactivity to the news agenda and prospective studies' long term perspective.

Notre Europe aims for complete freedom of thought. The Members of our Board are motivated by the same European ideal but come from diverse political perspectives. Notre Europe determines its own research agenda and has its own group of researchers. We have no obligation to accomplish any particular governmental mission, and we refuse to link our research agenda and results to any special interest funding.

Finally, we work in the spirit of the public good. It is for this reason that all of Notre Europe's work is available for free from our website, in both French and English. Our events are open to the public.

Notre Europe completes the majority of its work internally, sometimes in collaboration with think tanks in other Member States. We also publicise the work of other think tanks. While maintaining oversight of all publications, Notre Europe solicits external intellectuals and researchers when appropriate.

Our key publications take the form of detailed studies, shorter policy papers, and Policy Briefs, as well as conferences open to a large public or smaller workshops.

Notre Europe's budget currently comes primarily from the European Commission, but we also receive other forms of public and private support.With the support of the European Commission : support to active entities at European level in the field of active European citizenship.