The gathering assessed the rise of EU citizens’ attachment to the EU following Brexit and looked at how their organisations in the UK could collaborate on shared issues, projects and boost their public engagement. It discussed the feasibility of an award scheme to recognise achievements of EU citizens in developing EU-UK relations in local communities. To symbolise joint ownership, it was opened by the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the UK, Nicole Mannion, the Embassy of Italy and the3million, one of the most prominent EU citizens’ advocacy NGOs in the UK.

Academics from the University of Birmingham and Lancaster gave insights into a recent survey according to which 75% of EU citizens are extremely or very attached to the EU which is accompanied by a positive identification with the ‘core values’ of the European project such as freedom, peace and unity.

In the closing panel discussion, EU Ambassador João Vale de Almeida recalled that all EU citizens should consider themselves ambassadors of the EU in the UK. MEP Terry Reintke added that the EU will always protect its citizens and that the European Parliament is interested in fostering the EU diaspora’s engagement with the EU.

From now on, the gathering will be held every autumn. It is estimated that there could be as many as 5 million EU citizens residing in the UK with many citizens maintaining close ties with their extended families back in the EU.