The EUROPEAN MOVEMENT is an international organisation open to all political, economic, social and cultural trends in civil society. Its objective is to "contribute to the establishment of a united, federal Europe founded on the respect for basic human rights, peace principles, democratic principles of liberty and solidarity and citizens' participation". Its 41 national councils and 21 associate member associations work towards bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises, trade unions and individual lobbyists.

Born over half a century ago, the EUROPEAN MOVEMENT has played a crucial role in the construction of Europe. The EUROPEAN MOVEMENTS' main focus of attention centres on influencing political, social and cultural arenas within the framework of the European Civil Society.

The EUROPEAN MOVEMENT works as a study and information group, and also as a pressure group. It operates as a study and information group through the many projects and activities undertaken, and has been at the forefront in helping large segments of the public take part in the dissemination of information on European affairs and activities. It operates as a pressure group through the influence exerted by its members at all levels in each sector of activity. The European Parliament, Commission, national parliaments, authorities and governments, business-people, industry associations, NGOs and the many associations which make up the civil society in Europe have been influenced through the European Movement's network of contacts.

Influence is exerted at the EU level via the EUROPEAN MOVEMENT INTERNATIONAL and its individual member organisations and at the level of member countries via national councils, covering a geographical area that extends from Iceland to Turkey and from Portugal to Finland. The EUROPEAN MOVEMENT is also the only NGO of its type that covers almost all of Europe, i.e. the EU countries, the candidate countries as well as non-candidate countries, and as such provides effective information dissemination with a large multiplier effect across Europe.

An opportunity to support the EUROPEAN MOVEMENT is therefore given to all those who want Europe to progress towards a stronger, more democratic and efficient union with a strong voice on the international stage.