TEPSA is a beneficiary of an Operating Grant awarded in the framework of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme of the European Union (EU) for the period 2026-2028. The ‘Fast track to citizens’ engagement in the EU – ExpressEU’ project features awareness-raising, analytical and training activities focused on the creation of channels for communication, exchange and mutual learning between citizens, experts and policy-makers. The Operating Grant also supports the statutory activities of the TEPSA Secretariat, such as the meetings of the governing bodies and TEPSA’s communication activities.

ExpressEU supports TEPSA’s flagship initiatives, including the ‘EuropeChats’ video series, featuring discussions on the major current issues of EU affairs with leading experts and practitioners, and TEPSA’s main written publications, including its Briefs, Commentaries and Experts’ Debriefs, as well as TEPSA’s book series on the Future of Europe.

TEPSA’s biannual Pre-Presidency Conferences, taking place in the capitals of the countries set to hold the incoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, as well as the TEPSA network’s regular Recommendations to each new presidency are also part of the ExpressEU project.

In particular, the ExpressEU project has a strong youth-oriented component and strives to bring a new generation of citizens closer to the work of the EU. To do so, the ExpressEU project envisions the organisation of training and skills-building activities such as the annual TEPSA Academy and TEPSA Skills Lab. Additionally, the project will aim to engage with a wider and younger audience via its social media channels, new audiovisual initiatives, newsletters, and website.

Through the ExpressEU project, TEPSA strengthens its commitment to citizens’ engagement, the determining factor in achieving a strong and healthy democracy in line with the founding values of the EU. The organisation’s mission in this perspective rests on a foundational focus on diversity and inclusion, with activities designed to be accessible to all people, regardless of gender, age, (dis)ability, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation, in line with TEPSA’s Gender Equality Plan.