In 2015, the financial crisis and the sudden influx of people seeking refuge in Europe put a strain on cross-European relations, particularly between those of Germany and Greece. Our partner organizations identified a need for more constructive exchange between policymakers to mitigate political tensions across Europe. The positive impact produced by the first political dialogue experiences designed by our partners – which brought together politicians from across Europe – highlighted a severe and pervasive gap in dialogue among Europe’s policymakers.

The crucial role played by national politicians in shaping the European debate emerged clearly. European politics was being decided as much in the capitals as it was in Brussels. Yet, the effective involvement of national parliaments in the broader European debate remains limited. At the same time, the growing reluctance of one political faction to speak openly to colleagues from across the political and ideological divide, only served to complicate matters further.

The need for better channels for meaningful communication and exchange for national and European politicians to come together and openly discuss matters of European political relevance, was clear.

Our partner organizations, which include think tanks and foundations from across Europe, acting on their mission as non-partisan public policy organizations dedicated to promoting policy debate and cooperation, decided to join forces and launch the Mercator European Dialogue program in 2015.

This political dialogue pilot project has since established itself as Europe’s first informal dialogue platform for policymakers across countries and political parties, a permanent platform for policymakers across individual European parliaments to connect in an informal and neutral setting.

In 2021, as the platform grew and brought together new partners and supporters, it was renamed to Open European Dialogue. The project’s motto became: “We need to talk!”

That same year it received the recognition of the OECD as a global best-practice for cross-border collaboration and innovation.

Initially launched as a joint initiative between Stiftung Mercator and the German Marshall Fund of the United States, in cooperation with the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome, and the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy in Athens. It has since acquired the support of the King Baudouin Foundation, the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Bertelsmann Stiftung. As of 2023 the Open European Dialogue is coordinated by the non-profit organization APROPOS, which specializes in process design methods for politics, in collaboration with its partners across Europe.




2015
Mercator European Dialogue

2020
Open European Dialogue
Today, the Open European Dialogue is a politically neutral platform that aims to improve European politics by supporting policymakers in better understanding challenges and perspectives from across Europe. We do that by connecting European politicians across parties and countries, providing space for dialogue and promoting innovative political conversations in ways that no one else does.
How we work
Our field
We operate in the field of democratic innovation by experimenting with new ways of meaningfully connecting Europe’s policymakers.
Mission
We need to talk! We work to improve the way European policymakers communicate and collaborate.
Context
We help policymakers understand diverse local and political contexts in an increasingly complex environment.
What we believe in
The collaborative, democratic process of decision-making
The value and power of dialogue to address complex political challenges
The need to keep the political system fit for purpose
Our platform stands on three pillars
Cutting-edge expertise
Leading think tanks across Europe provide our members with top-level policy expertise. An understanding of groundbreaking research on human decision making and political behavior inform our work.
Innovation and experimentation
A hub for practitioners and decisionmakers to test new forms of political dialogue and explore innovative methods of democratic governance.
Engagement and activation
Bringing together and channeling the power of a diverse network of policymakers, policy thinkers and shapers.
Our cornerstone tool: Dialogue

Through the use of process design and facilitation we work to provide tailored fit-for-purpose spaces for politicians to engage in genuine dialogue with one another— beyond the rigidities of formal institutional and communication channels. We define our work by what it is not. It is not an expert-led top-down conference nor is it a negotiation table or a parliamentary plenary;  it is not a debate with a final winner or loser, nor an attempt at advocacy. Our work is about promoting real dialogue in politics.

What is dialogue?

 “Dialogue— the meaningful and meaning-creating exchange of perceptions and opinions.  The term is now primarily defined as a conversation between two or more people characterized by openness, honesty and genuine listening. In contrast to the terms “discussion” and “debate”, which focus primarily on the content of a conversation, the word “dialogue” places equal emphasis on the relationship between the persons involved. Another difference is that “debate” often includes a competitive component to underline the superiority of one opinion, while “dialogue” implies mutual understanding and the aim to identify common ground.”
– Basics of Dialogue Facilitation, Norbert Ropers

Our steering committee

The Open European Dialogue is made for, and by, members of parliaments across Europe. As part of our efforts to identify the needs of parliamentarians and address them adequately, we receive strategic input from our Parliamentary Steering Committee. The committee members are chosen amongst our network members for their unique political perspectives as well as their commitment to the Open European Dialogue and its mission to promote an open and genuine exchange across political parties and member states. The current members of the Parliamentary Steering Committee are:

Agnieszka Pomaska
Platforma Obywatelska | Civic Platform
Poland
Brando Benifei
Partito Democratico | Democratic Party
Italy
Carmen Jeitler-Cincelli
Österreichische Volkspartei | Austrian People's Party
Austria
Chrisis Pantelides
Dimokratikó Kómma | Democratic Party
Cyprus
Denitsa Simeonova
Prodalzhavame Promyanata | We continue the change
Bulgaria
Dimitris Markopoulos
Nea Dimokratia | New Democracy
Greece
Eduardo Carazo Hermoso
Partido Popular | People's Party
Spain
Federica Onori
Azione | Action
Italy
Jens Zimmermann
Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands | Social Democratic Party
Germany
Koen Metsu
Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie | New Flemish Alliance
Belgium
Margareta Cederfelt
Moderata Samlingspartiet | Moderate Party
Sweden
Márton Tompos
Momentum Mozgalom | Momentum Movement
Hungary
Miguel Costa Matos
Partido Socialista | Socialist Party
Portugal
Oana Țoiu
Uniunea Salvați România | Save Romania Union
Romania
Sven Clement
Piratepartei Lëtzebuerg | Pirate Party
Luxembourg
Yoko Alender
Eesti Reformierakond | Estonian Reform Party
Estonia
 
Our Network
Our members can tap into a network of policymakers from across all European countries and over 100 different parties.

By joining the Open European Dialogue, policymakers will be invited to exclusive events and dialogues, and experience face-to-face exchanges on political challenges of national and European relevance. They gain access to other members from different countries and political parties, as well as a network of international experts. They gain power of initiative to request the Open European Dialogue to activate the network on their behalf, organizing dialogues, bilateral exchanges, field trips, and commission research. Members will also periodically receive targeted news on policy and political developments relevant to their work, such as analysis from our partner think tanks or news on parliamentary affairs and cooperation in Europe.

 
Our partners

As a politically neutral and independent network, we are cooperatively run by leading think tanks all over Europe:

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) strengthens transatlantic cooperation on regional, national, and global challenges and opportunities in the spirit of the Marshall Plan. GMF contributes research and analysis and convenes leaders on transatlantic issues relevant to policymakers. GMF offers rising leaders opportunities to develop their skills and networks through transatlantic exchange, and supports civil society in the Balkans and Black Sea regions by fostering democratic initiatives, rule of law, and regional cooperation. Founded in 1972 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization through a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance, GMF maintains a strong presence on both sides of the Atlantic. In addition to its headquarters in Washington, DC, GMF has offices in Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Belgrade, Ankara, Bucharest, and Warsaw. GMF also has smaller representations in Bratislava, Turin, and Stockholm.

The Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) was founded on 11 October 1965 on the initiative of Altiero Spinelli. The Institute's main objective is to promote an understanding of the problems of international politics through studies, research, meetings and publications, with the aim of increasing the opportunities of all countries to move in the direction of supranational organization, democratic freedom and social justice (IAI Bylaws, Article 1). It's main research areas include: EU Institutions and Politics, the EU's Global Role, Turkey and the Neighborhood, International Political Economy, Mediterranean and Middle East, Transatlantic Relations, Security and Defence, Italian Foreign Policy, Energy. A nonprofit organization, the IAI is funded by individual and corporate members, public and private organizations, major international foundations, and by a standing grant from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) is an independent and plural think tank based in Barcelona, dedicated to the study, research and analysis of international affairs. Created in 1973 as an International Documentation Centre of Barcelona, it is a private foundation since 1979. CIDOB promotes global governance and good practices – based on local, national and European democratic government – to ensure that people possess the basic elements to live their lives free from fear and in liberty, by facilitating a dialogue that includes all diversities and which actively defends human rights and gender equality. CIDOB is a dynamic community of analytics that works to produce and offer to all political actors – from individual citizens to international organizations – information and ideas to formulate and promote policies for a more secure, free and fair world for everyone.

ELIAMEP is an independent, non-profit and policy-oriented research and training institute. It neither expresses, nor represents, any specific political party view. It is only devoted to the right of free and well-documented discourse. ELIAMEP’s mission is to provide a forum for public debate on issues of European integration and international relations to conduct scientific research that contributes to a better informed and documented knowledge of the European and international environment.

Democracy works when we work together. To work together well, we need to understand and respect each other despite our differences. Democracies listen. To build respect and understanding in politics, APROPOS combines research with experimentation and decades worth of practical experience in designing deliberative decision-making processes and unique political dialogues. We design and carry out meetings with policymakers, facilitate conversations, train practitioners, and publish research on political process to advance the dialogue and collaborative capacities that will be vital for the decades of comprehensive societal changes ahead of us.

This project is supported by:

The Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH is one of Europe’s largest foundations associated with a private company. In its charitable work, it addresses social issues at an early stage and develops exemplary solutions. For this purpose, it plans and implements its own projects. Additionally, it supports third-party initiatives that have similar goals. The Robert Bosch Stiftung is active in the areas of health, education as well as global issues. Since it was established in1964, the Robert Bosch Stiftung has invested more than 2.3 billion euros in charitable work.

Stiftung Mercator is a private and independent foundation. Through its work it strives for a society characterized by openness to the world, solidarity and equal opportunities. In this context it concentrates on strengthening Europe; increasing the educational success of disadvantaged children and young people, especially those of migrant origin; driving forward climate change mitigation and promoting science and the humanities. Stiftung Mercator symbolizes the connection between academic expertise and practical project experience. One of Germany’s leading foundations, it is active both nationally and internationally. Stiftung Mercator feels a strong sense of loyalty to the Ruhr region, the home of the founding family and the foundation’s headquarters.

The King Baudouin Foundation’s mission is to contribute to a better society. The Foundation is an actor for change and innovation, serving the public interest and increasing social cohesion in Belgium and Europe. We seek to maximize our impact by strengthening the capacity of organizations and individuals. We also stimulate effective philanthropy by individuals and corporations. The Foundation’s key values are integrity, transparency, pluralism, independence, respect for diversity, and promoting solidarity. The Foundation’s current areas of activity are poverty and social justice, philanthropy, health, civic engagement, developing talents, democracy, European integration, heritage and development cooperation. The King Baudouin Foundation is a public benefit foundation. The Foundation was set up in 1976 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of King Baudouin's reign.

The Bertelsmann Stiftung is a private operating foundation. Through its projects, studies and events, it stimulates debate and provides impetus for social change. Serving the public good and having a sustainable impact are the fundamental principles underlying its activities. The Bertelsmann Stiftung's activities are exclusively and directly philanthropic in nature. Its objective is to promote research and understanding in the areas of religion, public health, youth and senior affairs, culture and the arts, public education and career training, social welfare, international cultural exchange, democracy and government, and civic engagement.

Our Network of Experts

An extended scientific network allows our members to draw from the expertise of organizations across Europe and beyond.

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