Panel event: “Resilience and Empowerment: The Story of EU Citizens in the UK”

Co-hosted by the European Delegation to the UK and the Danish Embassy in London, the evening brought together researchers, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and local representatives to explore the lived experiences of 5.7 million EU citizens with EUSS status in the UK — highlighting their resilience, empowerment, and contributions to society. 

“This event is a reminder that the EU-UK partnership is primarily about people, not about institutions.  EU citizens in the UK form an essential part of our shared European fabric. Their contribution to communities across the UK show the strength of people to people ties that bind us together”, EU Ambassador Pedro Serrano. 

Research insights
 

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The discussion began with presentations from two leading experts:

• Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory, Oxford University, shared an overview of EU citizens’ settlement patterns, employment trends, and integration into British society, indicating that “EU citizens in the UK are highly diverse, with strong labour market participation but challenges remain for some groups in accessing their rights”.
• Miranda Biddle, CEO of the Independent Monitoring Authority, highlighted ongoing challenges in securing rights and accessing public services, five years after Brexit. 

These research insights provided a quantitative and qualitative backdrop for the discussions to follow, grounding personal stories in evidence.
 

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Citizens’ Voices – Lived experience

From there we heard from a panel that gathered together:

• Henrik Hagemann, CEO & co-founder of Puraffinity, discussed building a sustainable business in the UK and adapting to new challenges while remaining true to core values.
• Simona Lazar, CEO of Union Romani Voice, shared her personal story advocating for Roma inclusion and empowerment, emphasising the importance of community and visibility.
• Roberto Costa, Founder & CEO of Macellaio RC and President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce UK, reflected on the role of EU entrepreneurs in connecting communities and fostering economic ties.
• Cllr. Carla Barreto, Mayor of Thetford Town Council, highlighted her journey from European roots to local leadership, demonstrating how inclusion and participation strengthen communities.

Artfully moderated by The Guardian's Lisa O'Carroll, the heart of the event featured EU citizens sharing their journeys, illustrating resilience and empowerment in diverse contexts.

Event highlights

Q&A sessions allowed attendees to engage directly with both researchers and citizens. Panelists discussed themes such as community engagement, business innovation, local governance, and advocacy. The event concluded with a reception hosted by the Danish Ambassador, fostering dialogue and networking.

The event emphasised that EU citizens are not only resilient but actively contribute to the UK’s social, economic, and cultural life. By combining research insights with personal narratives, the EU Delegation and Danish Embassy highlighted the importance of recognising, protecting, and empowering this vibrant community.