European Futures is an independent programme of research and dialogue, offering an open approach to considering the strategic challenges facing the European project. It asks questions about the direction of the Union, its role in the world and its citizens’ place within it; what structures will best serve its constituent members; and what chance exists for radical institutional reform?

'Europe will be forged in crises, and will be the sum of the solutions adopted for those crises.' - Jean Monnet

Proposals to resolve Europe's current crisis - of finance, politics and identity - are plentiful, but whichever path is taken, it is clear the continent is undergoing a fundamental and irreversible transformation and will never be the same again.

The project has multiple strands:

• A pan-European network, Euronet, of policy makers, commentators and academics periodically convened to engage in bold thinking on the fundamental issues of the European project.
• Frequent analysis on the Union's developments as they happen.
• Original in-depth research, drawing on expertise from across the debate, such as our first publication, Rethinking Europe.
• Regular YouGov-Cambridge polling on European identities and perceptions of the Union's institutions.

However, it is of utmost importance the project does not itself become an elitist exercise, but a participative and democratic process. To that end RUSI plans:

• A series of lectures and debates to promote public discussion of significant EU issues. (See our Launch event here)
• A programme of Under 35s events to engage young policy makers and professionals.
• Finally, RUSI.org/EuropeanFutures will act as both notice board and forum, employing social media and encouraging user content to ensure anyone can interact with the ongoing research, making comments or providing submissions, and contribute to the debate on our European Futures . Continue the discussion on Twitter at #EuropeanFutures