EU Policy and Outreach Partnerships

EU Policy and Outreach Partnerships (EUPOPs) aim at promoting an enhanced image of the EU and increase mutual understanding and trust between the EU and citizens and institutions around the world. As such, they can improve  their mutual knowledge, address issues of mutual interest, benefit from peer-to-peer exchanges, strengthen partnerships and promote future collaborations.

The EU engages its partners through four types of activities:

• academic activities and outreach, supported through a reinforced set of “Jean Monnet” activities. Through these activities  students and professors have the possibility to increase their understanding of the EU and its role in the world;
• direct engagement with key stakeholders (e.g. business organisations, media, think-tanks, universities and other opinion-makers and influencers) in partner countries and in the EU on EU policies or policy issues of common interest;
• civil society engagement activities that strengthen and contribute to genuine dialogues among the EU and civil society organisations (including influencers and multipliers) on topics of common interest;
• cultural diplomacy activities that foster the role that culture and inter-cultural dialogue can play in external relations in building trust and mutual understanding.

Some key successful activities include the organisation of European Higher Education Fairs, Model EU Simulations targeting students, academics and broader audiences, and trainings and study tours to Brussels for young leaders, diplomats, and journalists from around the world.