EU-CITZEN establishes a new Academic Network on European Citizenship Rights aimed at providing the European Commission with the best independent scholarly knowledge and advice on Citizenship of the Union rights and related policies, and their implementation in EU Member States and other third countries of relevance. EU-CITZEN will secure inter-disciplinary expertise and a forum for discussion on all issues and questions to be covered in the European Commission’s 2019 Citizenship of the Union Report and the 2019 European elections.
EU-CITZEN brings together a network of academic and research institutions and a Brussels-based think tank, along with a pool of national experts, which are uniquely positioned to deliver the multifaceted set of Tasks envisaged in the Tender Specifications.
The Network is designed in order to be able to provide all the services and tasks in a rigorous and structured manner in the highest academic standards. For this, the Network counts with a think-tank based in Brussels with a strong managerial and research capacities, well-known universities, a pool of country experts and an experienced Advisory Committee.
1. Close and personalized services to the Commission (DG JUST)
Thanks to the central location of the lead partner (CEPS), the Network Director will remain available to attend meetings with the Commission and to have a direct interaction with its representatives when requested. CEPS and the members of the consortium has extensive experience in participating in projects funded by the EU and are aware of the importance to remain flexible, available for potential requests and to provide services that are policy relevant taking into account the needs and challenges that Commission might face.
2. Long standing expertise on project management, event organization and communication
The EU-CITZEN members have an extensive expertise on project management, event organization and communication. The Justice and Home Affairs Unit at CEPS has for instance more than 10-year experience on the coordination and management of interdisciplinary research projects (funded by the EU) and collaboration with the Commission when organizing target events. CEPS in addition counts with administrative support for the events organization, has facilities in Brussels and a communication department in charge of communicating and designing the main outputs of the organization through various means including social media. It also has long-standing experience on the creation of websites and portals.
3. Provision of high standards of academic excellence maintaining independence and impartiality
The involvement of Universities, think-tanks and research centres ensure the independence and impartiality of the research conducted. The Network contains an experienced team of academics, experts, consultants and researchers with in-depth expertise in the field of EU Citizenship and related rights. The Senior and country experts have also published academic articles extensively in recognized Journals, books as well as produced policy papers and delivered services for the Commission.
4. Provide and coordinate collaborative networks of academics, policy-makers and relevant stakeholders across the whole of Europe
The partners involved in this proposal have been engaged in previous collaborations as well as in networks of academics and platforms. These collaborations allow the Network to expand and to bring together scholars working in the field of Citizenship. Examples are ITEM, MACIMIDE, NCCR or the GLOBALCIT Network.
5. Fast reaction to specific requests and insurance to deliver tasks under short deadlines
Having more than 35 members involved, the Network has in-house expertise to cover all the aspects related to the call. In addition, it offers numerous country experts that are committed to provide in short deadlines their inputs and expertise. The Network Director, together with the support of the Project Manager, will mobilize the relevant experts and settle the team and timelines as soon as there is an ad-hoc request and for the agreed research products.
6. Quality Control Assurance
The Quality Control of the outputs produced during the duration of the project will be carried out by the members of the Steering Committee leading the different Working Parties and the Advisory Committee. Before the submission of a Product to the Commission, the document will be revised a commented by the members of the Steering Committee and the Network Director will then submit the product to the relevant members of the Advisory Board (based on their expertise) in order to review the product and provide comments and inputs.
