Elan aims to create a sustainable and inclusive forum for and by young citizens.

Launched in 2020 by the French and German think-and-do-thanks EuropaNova and Candid Foundation, Elan aims to operate as an interactive debate forum through online webinars and podcasts. The project is in line with the need to engage in concrete actions by strengthening the Franco-German tandem to build a united, innovative and strong Europe, while improving European decision-making by better informing leaders through a more active and concrete participation of citizens.

In 2020, Elan began with a series of eight Franco-German web-debates and eight podcasts on the challenges facing Europe. Throughout these debates, participants were invited to share their most daring and relevant ideas. At the end of the first debate cycle, a jury awarded ten prizes for the ten best ideas.

The second season of Elan in spring 2021 took place under the motto Europe from the “outside”. We talked - in English - about “outside” views on European culture and cultural politics. This programme was carried out with the support of the ifa.

The third season of summer 2021 with the title "The Scene - Artists in the Mediterranean" connected young artists throughout the region. It was supported by the Anna-Lindh Foundation.

The fourth season of autumn and winter 2021-2022 included three webinars supported by the Anna-Lindh Foundation and the ifa on current political events in Afghanistan and Ukraine and a more culture-related discussion on Berlin as a Mediterranean cultural capital.

The fifth season started in autumn 2022 around topics of the European neighbourhood. In the current context of the war in Ukraine, the pressure on democracies, the weakening of the rule of law and the difficulties caused by the health and economic crises, this cycle addresses current challenges in the direct neighbourhood of the EU, as we believe that a coordinated neighbourhood policy by France and Germany is more important and urgent than ever. Elan wishes to promote this policy and to communicate information on the expectations and needs of our neighbours on crucial issues.