Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Express2 (EXPRESS 2 SPECIFY AND PROTECT THE EU SOCIAL CONTRACT (EXPRESS2))
Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-05-31
Europe is undergoing a period of profound transformation that challenges the foundations of the social contract underpinning its unity and democratic governance. Geopolitical instability and insecurity, populism, gender inequality, climate change, institutional mistrust, digital transformation, and the aftermath of pandemics have highlighted the urgent need to renew this contract. EXPRESS2 responds to this call by advancing a new, inclusive, participatory, and resilient European social contract.
In this context, EXPRESS2 responds to the urgent need to rethink and renew the EU social contract. Unlike traditional social contracts based on tacit consent, EXPRESS2 introduces the concept of an “express” social contract, in which both EU institutions and individuals are recognised as active parties capable of deliberating, negotiating, and articulating their rights and obligations.
The project pursues 4 interrelated objectives: 1) to conceptualise a concrete proposal for an express EU social contract, moving from implicit consent to explicit participation; 2) to foster inclusive narratives that communicate the benefits of this social contract and strengthen civic engagement; 3) to analyse disruptive elements that threaten the integrity of social contracts; 4) to provide policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the resilience and legitimacy of the EU.
The project’s pathway to impact is threefold: 1) at academic level, EXPRESS2 develops an innovative framework that reconceptualises social contracts as living, participatory, and deliberative tools; 2) at policy level, it engages directly with EU institutions to deliver practical tools, narratives, and proposals that inform policymaking in areas such as fundamental rights, democratic resilience, and civic inclusion; 3) at societal level, empowers Europeans to participate in democratic life and strengthens the legitimacy of the EU.
In this context, EXPRESS2 responds to the urgent need to rethink and renew the EU social contract. Unlike traditional social contracts based on tacit consent, EXPRESS2 introduces the concept of an “express” social contract, in which both EU institutions and individuals are recognised as active parties capable of deliberating, negotiating, and articulating their rights and obligations.
The project pursues 4 interrelated objectives: 1) to conceptualise a concrete proposal for an express EU social contract, moving from implicit consent to explicit participation; 2) to foster inclusive narratives that communicate the benefits of this social contract and strengthen civic engagement; 3) to analyse disruptive elements that threaten the integrity of social contracts; 4) to provide policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the resilience and legitimacy of the EU.
The project’s pathway to impact is threefold: 1) at academic level, EXPRESS2 develops an innovative framework that reconceptualises social contracts as living, participatory, and deliberative tools; 2) at policy level, it engages directly with EU institutions to deliver practical tools, narratives, and proposals that inform policymaking in areas such as fundamental rights, democratic resilience, and civic inclusion; 3) at societal level, empowers Europeans to participate in democratic life and strengthens the legitimacy of the EU.
During the first reporting period, significant progress was achieved toward core technical and scientific objectives. The project established a robust interdisciplinary framework to conceptualise, co-create, and draft an EU social contract.
WP1 ensured effective coordination, timely submission of deliverables and milestones, and implementation of ethics, gender, and data protocols. The Ethics and Transparency Boards merged to enhance oversight.
WP2 provided the project’s theoretical foundation. It delivered a historical review of social contract theories (D2.1) a comparative constitutional law analysis (D2.2) and the first draft of the EU social contract (D2.3). Workshops facilitated theoretical integration across WPs.
WP3 launched stakeholder engagement, mapping 80+ actors. A high-level event in Brussels introduced the draft contract and its links to key EU challenges. Preparations for citizen feedback and narrative campaigns began.
WP4 analysed the Ukraine war’s impact on justice, refugee flows, and energy policy. Interviews with EU and Ukrainian actors informed analysis of disruption to EU values.
WP5 explored how populist narratives challenge democracy, focusing on identity politics, anti-elitism, and majoritarianism. Research and workshops will support future policy proposals.
WP6 applied a three-level methodology to assess gender equality implementation, using 5 country case studies and 12+ expert interviews. Outputs supported joint survey design.
WP7 examined climate and biodiversity stressors. Legal research, workshops, and publications were completed; survey protocols were finalised despite minor delays.
WP8 studied political trust, identifying conceptual gaps and developing new tools for measuring institutional legitimacy. Preliminary data analysis informed the coordinated survey.
WP9 analysed digitalisation’s effects on EU values. A legal review of EU regulation and governance implications was completed and contributed to the shared survey.
WP10 studied COVID-19’s impact on rule of law and fiscal governance. A comparative legal report (D10.1) was submitted. Additional research examined the Recovery Fund and rule of law mechanisms.
WP11 has not yet started;
WP1 ensured effective coordination, timely submission of deliverables and milestones, and implementation of ethics, gender, and data protocols. The Ethics and Transparency Boards merged to enhance oversight.
WP2 provided the project’s theoretical foundation. It delivered a historical review of social contract theories (D2.1) a comparative constitutional law analysis (D2.2) and the first draft of the EU social contract (D2.3). Workshops facilitated theoretical integration across WPs.
WP3 launched stakeholder engagement, mapping 80+ actors. A high-level event in Brussels introduced the draft contract and its links to key EU challenges. Preparations for citizen feedback and narrative campaigns began.
WP4 analysed the Ukraine war’s impact on justice, refugee flows, and energy policy. Interviews with EU and Ukrainian actors informed analysis of disruption to EU values.
WP5 explored how populist narratives challenge democracy, focusing on identity politics, anti-elitism, and majoritarianism. Research and workshops will support future policy proposals.
WP6 applied a three-level methodology to assess gender equality implementation, using 5 country case studies and 12+ expert interviews. Outputs supported joint survey design.
WP7 examined climate and biodiversity stressors. Legal research, workshops, and publications were completed; survey protocols were finalised despite minor delays.
WP8 studied political trust, identifying conceptual gaps and developing new tools for measuring institutional legitimacy. Preliminary data analysis informed the coordinated survey.
WP9 analysed digitalisation’s effects on EU values. A legal review of EU regulation and governance implications was completed and contributed to the shared survey.
WP10 studied COVID-19’s impact on rule of law and fiscal governance. A comparative legal report (D10.1) was submitted. Additional research examined the Recovery Fund and rule of law mechanisms.
WP11 has not yet started;
By M16, EXPRESS2 has produced significant advancements beyond the state of the art in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of a European social contract. It transforms the traditional, tacit, and abstract notion into a participatory and express framework that includes both institutions and individuals as active parties. A preliminary draft of the express EU social contract has been developed, rooted in EU founding values that will be shaped and further developed through multidisciplinary research, citizen input, and deliberative formats. The project has also mapped and analysed the disruptive elements threatening the social contract—such as insecurity, populism, gender inequality, climate change, mistrust, digitalisation and pandemics—providing the basis for integrated policy responses. EXPRESS2 has also developed an intersectional analysis framework to understand how these disruptive elements interlink and amplify each other, creating complex threats that require innovative responses. Finally, the project has also co-created inclusive narratives reflecting on the need and benefits of a new EU social contract to engage citizens and reaching wide audiences through different communication channels.
To ensure wider uptake and long-term success, EXPRESS2 identifies the need for sustained engagement with policymakers, the creation of safe participatory spaces and integration of findings into education, civic platforms, and EU policy cycles. These efforts aim to transform the contract from a theoretical construct into a living tool that informs EU governance and fosters democratic resilience.
To ensure wider uptake and long-term success, EXPRESS2 identifies the need for sustained engagement with policymakers, the creation of safe participatory spaces and integration of findings into education, civic platforms, and EU policy cycles. These efforts aim to transform the contract from a theoretical construct into a living tool that informs EU governance and fosters democratic resilience.