Many discussions of the meaning of democracy at the European level remain remote from real-life experience. The approach taken by EuroPolis provides a real opportunity to assess whether and how democratic participation is possible at the European level. It is a real test for the effects of such participation on democratic politics in Europe.

In addition, the project takes place in the run-up to the forthcoming European Parliament elections, and surveys of voter behaviour among the citizens taking part will throw additional light on the impact and influence of active involvement in informed discussions of EU policy.

EuroPolis specifically intends to probe that under ideal democratic settings in which people have access to deliberative sites, information, reflection, and dialogue with other citizens and policy experts, then citizens can:

• Develop considered and more consistent opinions on policy issues.
• Transform their original attitudes towards EU processes, institutions, and people.
• Change their policy preferences and criteria for their selection.
• Develop trust in other citizens.
• Experience a sense of belonging to the EU.
• Become interested in politics and in taking part on them.
• Affect voting behavior and voting turnout