Building a common identity - the impact of transnational EU projects

Abstract

Previous research has shown that moving between European countries, interacting with other Europeans and involving in EU related matters have positive effects on the formation of a European identity. Research has also pointed to the importance of context and the changing nature of identities. This gives reason to believe that a “European experience” such as involvement in transnational EU projects would influence individuals’ sense of belonging to the EU and/or Europe. This thesis aims to study what the effects are and whether the involvement in these projects tends to foster a political-civic EU identity or a social-cultural European identity. Transnational EU projects include meetings with colleagues from other European countries as well as formal aspects such as learning about the EU and its funds. Characteristics from the two dimensions of identity are consequently present. The thesis is deductive and the analytical framework is created in light of the political-civic identity and the social-cultural identity. Using in-depth interviews with 12 participants in Gothenburg, their answers are analyzed in relation to the two dimensions of identity. The major finding is that involvement in transnational EU projects mainly seem to have influenced the formation of a political-civic identity and that the respondents feel more like EU citizens when involved in the project. The interaction with European colleagues has however also increased the social-cultural identity. Furthermore, can the result show that the participation has contributed to more positive feelings towards the EU.