Perceive Project - European Feeling

PERCEIVE Project - Understanding European Cohesion Policies

The PERCEIVE Project is a research initiative funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program, focusing on the perception and evaluation of Regional and Cohesion Policies among European citizens. Led by a team of researchers, the project investigates how these policies impact European identity and the values associated with Europe. With a duration of three years, its findings aim to enhance awareness and understanding of the benefits of European integration.

The PERCEIVE research has uncovered eight significant insights regarding the relationship between Cohesion Policy and European identity. These findings reveal critical gaps in communication, awareness, and perception among citizens.

The project highlights that the communication regarding Cohesion Policy has been ineffective in garnering support for the EU. Traditional media channels such as TV (30%) and newspapers (23%) dominate awareness, while social media only accounts for 5.8%. This suggests a need for more engaging communication strategies that emphasize the benefits of EU funding, particularly to demographics that may feel marginalized by European integration.

A notable finding is that benefiting from European funds does not automatically translate into support for the EU. For instance, in Calabria, Italy, while over 60% of respondents are aware of EU structural funds, only 10% recognize their benefits, with a significant proportion viewing EU membership negatively. This indicates that the effectiveness of fund allocation and communication about the benefits needs to be improved.

The research indicates that nearly half of European citizens are unaware of EU policies, with only 45% familiar with Cohesion Policy. Awareness varies significantly across the EU, with countries that joined recently, like Poland (63%), showing higher recognition compared to older members like the UK (21%).

Interestingly, countries with Eurosceptic governments, such as Poland, still demonstrate a high level of awareness of the benefits derived from EU funding, with 60-80% of respondents acknowledging positive impacts. This contrasts with regions in Italy, where similar benefits are less recognized.

The perception of the EU is notably lower among older, less-educated, and rural populations. Younger individuals and those with higher education levels tend to recognize the benefits of EU membership more readily. Urban environments also correlate with greater awareness and appreciation of EU policies.

Investment in communication and awareness-building efforts is crucial for enhancing support for European policies. The allocation of structural funds and effective communication budgets can significantly influence citizens’ perception of the benefits of EU integration.

Finally, the quality of national institutions and levels of corruption significantly affect citizens' trust in the EU. Wealthier regions often show lower identification with the European project, while poorer regions tend to have higher trust levels in EU institutions, reflecting their concerns over local governance quality.

These findings provide essential insights for policymakers and practitioners in the EU aiming to foster a shared European identity and enhance support for sustainable housing initiatives across member states.