What a feeling?! How to promote ‘European Identity’

Understanding the Report’s Origin

The policy report “What a feeling?! How to promote ‘European Identity’” is a publication of EconPol Europe, a research network of the ifo Institute in Munich. The authors – Sarah Cialgia, Clemens Fuest and Friedrich Heinemann – are senior economists associated with the ifo Institute, a leading German economic think‑tank. The study was published in October 2018 and presents an extensive review of literature, empirical analysis, and policy proposals aimed at strengthening European identity across the EU.

Key Objectives of the Study

The report investigates why European identity matters for the EU’s political stability and economic prosperity. It distinguishes between “identification as European” (a cognitive self‑assessment) and “identification with Europe” (behavioural commitment). The authors argue that a robust European identity is a precondition for trustful cooperation among member states, especially after crises such as Brexit, the sovereign‑debt turmoil and the refugee emergency.

Empirical Findings on Determinants

Using the Eurobarometer “Moreno” question (2017) the authors find that 60 % of respondents see themselves at least partly as European. Determinants that increase this share include: higher education, frequent discussion of EU politics, intra‑EU migration (which raises the likelihood by 0.64), travel and exchange experiences, and a positive perception of personal and national economic situations. Conversely, strong national identity, regional attachment, and perceiving the EU as a cultural threat reduce the probability of a European self‑identification. Age shows a negative effect, with retirees less likely to feel European, while students are markedly more European‑oriented.

Policy Proposals for Civic Identity

The report outlines several civic‑focused measures to boost European identity:

• Transnational party lists for European Parliament elections to create a truly EU‑wide constituency.
• European Citizens’ Assembly to involve a representative sample of citizens in deliberations on EU‑wide issues.
• EU consular offices offering joint consular services across member states.
• Constitutional reforms such as extending the right of initiative to the European Parliament and enhancing transparency of the Commission’s activity reports.

🖼️Cultural‑Identity Initiatives

To foster the cultural component, the authors propose:

• European Waltz programme – a work‑exchange scheme for employed adults to experience other EU labour markets.
• Pensioners’ Erasmus – a travel and learning scheme for retirees, addressing the identified gap in this demographic.
• Vocational Erasmus and European public‑service broadcaster to provide multilingual, EU‑focused news and cultural content.
• School‑twinning and language curricula to ensure young Europeans acquire at least two foreign languages and experience cross‑border education.

Relevance to Sustainable Housing

While the primary focus is identity, the report’s emphasis on transnational mobility, shared cultural values and civic participation aligns with broader sustainability goals. Cross‑border collaboration can facilitate the diffusion of green‑building practices, energy‑efficiency standards and innovative housing policies across member states. The proposed EU‑wide public‑service broadcaster could disseminate best‑practice case studies on sustainable housing, while the European Waltz and Erasmus programmes may enable professionals in construction, architecture and urban planning to exchange knowledge on eco‑friendly design.

Key Statistics at a Glance

• Survey sample: 28 007 respondents (Eurobarometer, Spring 2017).
• European identity (inclusive of all European‑related answers): ~60 %.
• Intra‑EU migrants: 2.4 % of respondents, yet their odds of European identity increase by 0.64.
• Students: 5.98 % of sample, with a 0.226 probability boost in European identification.
• Retirees: 32.22 % of sample, showing a 0.038 reduction in European identity.
• Positive personal economic perception raises European identity probability by 0.325.

Conclusion for a Pan‑European Audience

The report provides a data‑driven roadmap for strengthening both civic and cultural dimensions of European identity. Its policy recommendations—ranging from electoral reforms to mobility schemes—offer mechanisms that can also support the diffusion of sustainable housing innovations across the Union. By enhancing shared European consciousness, the EU can create a more conducive environment for collaborative climate‑friendly housing initiatives that benefit citizens in all member states.