New Alliance "We are Europe"

In light of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, the rise of anti European forces within the EU, and growing geopolitical tensions, the young initiators Laura Wessbecher and Lina Abraham launched the cross party movement “We Are Europe.” On 21 February, demonstrations and actions took place in a total of 14 cities: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Ansbach, Barcelona, Madrid, Turin, Rome, Milan, Brussels, Budapest, Warsaw and Vienna. Europe as the last major stable democracy.

Around 350 people took part in the rallies across Europe, including 130 participants at the opening demonstration at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Within just a few weeks, the movement reached 500,000 people through its platforms.

Speech of Dr. Seyran Bostancı

In her speech, Dr. Seyran Bostancı underlined that Europe is at a momentum and that it is becoming evident that society’s actions are now what matters most. She reminded the audience that Europe is no accident, but an alternative proposal to the concentration of power, to National Socialism and the notion that equality arises from uniformity. As we all know, it stands for unity in diversity.

Bostancı then explained how diversity also shapes the foundation’s daily work: The European Youth Parliament brings together young people from across Europe to develop political solutions together. Educational programs such as Understanding Europe strengthen political education in schools, while trips to Brussels allow craftsmen and woman to experience Europe firsthand in workshops and workplaces. Formats such as the Young European Security Conference also demonstrate the high level of interest young people have in foreign and security policy.

At the heart of her speech was the conviction that young people don’t just want to watch from the sidelines. They want to shape the future. Their commitment is there; what they need are spaces that allow them to take on responsibility and get involved.

What is “We Are Europe”?

You can think of We Are Europe as “Fridays for Future, but for Europe” or “Fridays for Future, Saturdays for Europe.” We organise regular protests at the end of each month, with the ambition to grow steadily across the continent.

At its core, the movement is about three things:

First, mobilisation. We bring people into the streets and aim for broad-based participation, especially among Gen Z, while actively including older generations. Our goal is to rebuild a sense of community and show that pro-European voices are not alone.

Second, narrative change. We want to increase the visibility of pro-European positions, both online and offline. This includes actively reclaiming digital spaces and countering the dominance of right-wing narratives. Europe should again be seen as what it is: the foundation of democracy, climate action, free trade, fundamental rights, and social justice.

Third, political impact. We aim to create pressure from below so that all democratic parties place Europe more centrally in their agendas. Our diversity is our strength. We are deliberately cross-party and inclusive, united by the conviction that Europe is not negotiable.

At a deeper level, the movement responds to a generational moment. Many young people today feel shaped by crisis, from the pandemic to war, climate change, and the rise of authoritarian politics. We Are Europe seeks to turn frustration into collective action and to create a sense of hope and belonging.

We are currently expanding across Europe, with the ambition to establish a presence in every major EU city and beyond, including the UK, the Western Balkans, and other European countries.