EU Citizens' Gathering and EmpowerEU Awards: a day of community, celebration, and vision

In a powerful gathering on 12 November, the EU Delegation, in partnership with EU Member States, hosted the EU Citizens' Gathering and the very first EmpowerEU Awards to celebrate achievements in the EU community in the UK. The day brought together UK politicians, EU representatives, researchers and organisations representing EU citizens in the UK to discuss shared challenges, foster relationships, and recognize outstanding achievements of those advocating for EU citizens' rights.

Highlights of the EU Citizens' Gathering 2024
The day ahead would combine not only the annual Citizens Gathering, with its packed agenda of dynamic panel discussions, capacity-building workshops, and networking opportunities on the position of EU communities in the UK and the enduring importance of EU-UK cooperation, but also the launch and presentation of the inaugural EmpowerEU awards.

The day began opening remarks by EU Ambassador Pedro Serrano, alongside his colleague Ambassadors from the Polish, Italian, and German Embassies to the UK - Ambassador Piotr Wilczek, Ambassador Inigo Lambertini and Ambassador Miguel Berger. Each Ambassador reinforced their support ofEU communities in the UK and the enduring importance of EU-UK cooperation.

Following the Ambassadorial messages of support, the message of the Gathering was further expanded on in the first panel of the day - asking "How EU citizens in the UK can positively shape the EU-UK relationship? "

The panel brought together Lord Ricketts, Chair of the European Affairs Committee, Baroness Ludford, Member of the European Affairs Committee, Irena Moozová, Deputy Director-General, DG Justice and Consumers, European Commission, Robert Marin Consul General of Romania in London.

The debate then continued with a discussion led by Mihnea Cuibus from the Oxford Migration Observatory presenting insights on the challenges faced by EU communities in the UK. A deep dive into the issues affecting their integration and future.

Following the panels discussions, the over 200 participants broke up into three separate capacity building workshops; Improving online communication (led by Fabio Mauri, DG MEME); Navigating online misinformation in the advice sector (led by Luke Piper, Work Rights Centre) and Practical responses to issues affecting ethnic minority EU citizens (led by Aké Achi, Black Europeans).

The morning session closed with a fireside conversation between European Parliament Vice President Victor Negrescu, MEP, Liberal Democrat MP Manuela Perteghella and Labour's Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP who discussed what Parliamentarians can do to safeguard the rights of EU citizens in the UK.

EU Communities in focus:

Following a networking lunch and media reception that showcased the EmpowerEU shortlisted nominees, the Gathering dived back into Citizens Rights affairs with a panel dealing with the challenges and the horizon ahead for community organisations in the UK featuring Veronica Bortolato, EU Settlement Scheme adviser, Settled, Lydia Martin, Deputy Head of Projects, New Europeans UK, Fizza Qureshi, CEO Migrants' Rights Network, member of EUROMEC, Ilana Jackman, Fundraising coach and Jack O'Connor, Vice-Chair of the European Economic and Social Committee EU-UK Follow-up Committee.

The charged agenda of the day was brought to a close by a fireside chat between Dominic Grieve, President of the Franco-British Society and Cyprus High Commissioner to the UK Kyriacos Kouros. A final sum of to the Gathering was provided by the EU's Deputy Ambassador Isabell Poppelbaum and the Hungarian Ambassador to the UK Ferenc Kumin as the current holders of the rotating European Presidency.

• EmpowerEU Awards Ceremony

With the Gathering concluded, the evening section of the day's events began - guests began to gather for the first ever EmpowerEU Awards ceremony. With a change from business attire to some in evening dress, the atmosphere was celebratory, with live music and inspiring speeches.

At the heart of the EmpowerEU Awards is the recognition of organisations who have made outstanding contributions to EU citizens' lives in the UK. The EmpowerEU Awards aim to celebrate the achievements in supporting EU citizens and strengthening EU-UK relations, EU-UK youth cooperation and community champions who have made a lasting impact at the local level. This celebration acknowledges the resilience, commitment, and creativity of those who represent EU citizens in the UK and support the development of a strong and stable relationship between the EU and the UK….And the winners were………

Spotlight on the Award winners:

• Outstanding Achievement - the3million: honoured for their significant contributions in advocating for EU citizens' rights.
• Youth Award - Young European Movement: recognized for empowering young people and fostering civic engagement.
• Community Award - Polish Eastern European Christian Family Centre (PEEC): awarded for outstanding grassroots work supporting EU citizens.
• Special Mention for Community Endeavour - Settled: commended for their dedication to supporting vulnerable EU citizens.
  
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The EU Citizens' Gathering and EmpowerEU Awards toegther captured the spirit of unity, ambition, and shared purpose that drives the EU community in the UK. As we look forward, the EU Delegation is committed to supporting initiatives that empower and connect EU citizens, celebrating their achievements and nurturing a vibrant EU-UK relationship.