Introduction: Citizen Organisations, Transnational Solidarity and Collective Learning in Europe

Abstract

This edited volume is devoted to the analysis of practices of transnational solidarity in response to the various crises affecting Europe, especially the economic and refugee crises. Its aim is to present new insights into existing informal groups, at the grassroots, geared at furthering transnational solidarity in three thematic areas (disability, unemployment and immigration) and builds on extensive fieldwork in eight European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and the UK). The introductory chapter provides an overview of the topic and the related research, discusses conceptual and methodological issues, and presents the structure of the book. It argues that the transnational solidarity work of citizen groups and organisations is strongly shaped by the socio-economic and political context in which they operate, by the action repertoires they promote, the networks of cooperation they are involved in and the experiences and lessons learned by engaged citizens and activists. It argues that in spite of apparent differences tied to contexts, there are a number of similarities in regard to the way transnationally oriented solidarity groups and organisations respond to societal challenges.

From Protesting Against Troika Bailouts to Pro‐EU Governing in Greece and Portugal: Europeanisation and Institutionalisation Processes

“…These 'hybrid' identities are also echoed in youth perceptions of 2018 with more 'higher levels' of trust (5-10/10) towards the EU than to the Greek government (39.5% and 23.8%, respectively) and less/reduced 'lower levels' of trust (0-4) to the EU than those towards the Greek government (60.5% and 76.0%, respectively). 11 The heightened importance of working within Europe and for a more social Europe in the crisis period is also revealed in interviews with representatives of Greek TSOs, including mainstream NGOs, informal collectivities, radical trade unions and small charitable groups, all of which tend to be highly politicised and autonomous from Greek political parties, especially in the crisis period (Lahusen et al, 2021). Whether in the form of demand-making to the Greek state, or criticising and trying to influence the policies of any given Greek government, or referring to internationalism and the need to overthrow capitalism, Greek TSOs are deeply concerned with and are active in politics.…”

Europeanization as Pragmatic Politics: Italy’s Civil Society Actors Operating in the Face of Right-Wing Populism

“…By looking into the strategies used by CSOs in trying to achieve policy change in the domestic arena, this article focuses on two types of mobilization (vertical and horizontal) in connection to the 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' understandings of Europeanization. In this context, the term 'vertical transnational mobilization' is not intended as a "scale shift towards the EU", achieved by a CSO through its membership in a European or international umbrella organization (Tarrow 2005;Lahusen et al 2021). We use the term to refer to the links established by CSOs with EU institutions and actors inside their country or at the EU level, taking place in two distinct forms.…”

“…In our understanding, this form of transnationalization entails domestic civil societies learning from each other by sharing goals, strategies, and action repertoires (Holzhacker 2009). Yet, it also involves collaboration across borders to create solidarity networks (Lahusen et al 2021;della Porta 2018) and engage in monitoring activities. In certain cases, the information thus collected could determine policy change at the domestic level through processes of vertical modes.…”