European Commissions citizen panel for intergenerational fairness.

Digidem Lab has continued our assignment from the European Commission and carried out the recruitment process that sent five Swedish citizens to Brussels to participate in a European Citizens’ Panel on intergenerational fairness. In total, 150 citizens from the EU’s 27 member states met over three weekends to develop recommendations on the question: How can people of all ages come together to create a flourishing future?

In a time of transformation, the EU aims to look ahead toward a sustainable and inclusive future that considers both current and future generations. As part of this effort, the Commission is investing in strengthening connections and solidarity between generations. During the Citizens’ Panel, the 150 participants – representing the EU population – discussed three key questions:

• How can we bridge generational divides for the benefit of all by fostering a narrative of solidarity, mutual support and shared responsibility?
• How can we balance the needs and interests of all age groups, including those of future generations?
• How can we think long-term to build a fairer and more resilient society?

The work began with an in-person meeting in Brussels in September. After listening to -and engaging in discussions with experts, participants were divided into working groups to develop proposals on how the EU can realize its vision of greater intergenerational fairness. In October, the work continued in online meetings, and in November the participants returned to Brussels to finalize and present their recommendations to the European Commission.

The result was a set of concrete recommendations and priorities that will now contribute to forming the basis for the EU’s continued strategic work on intergenerational justice.

Just as in the previous Citizens’ Panel on the EU budget, Digidem Lab has supported the Commission by carrying out the recruitment process in Sweden. During the summer and autumn, we coordinated and conducted the recruitment of participants in five randomly chosen municipalities: Malmö, Vallentuna, Trelleborg, Lund, and Östhammar. From the many interested citizens, one participant from each location was selected by lottery to ensure a fair and randomized recruitment process.

The five Swedish participants contributed to EU policy development, travelled to Brussels with all expenses covered, received compensation for their participation, and met people from 27 different countries. More about their experiences can be read in Aftonbladet.

In spring 2026, the European Commission will hold the third and final Citizens’ Panel, this time focusing on the EU’s future crisis preparedness. Digidem Lab is once again responsible for the recruitment in Sweden during autumn 2025 – stay tuned for updates!

(Image source: https://citizens.ec.europa.eu/citizens-panel-intergenerational-fairness_en)