Creative communication: EU councillors connect citizens with Europe

How do you make Europe resonate locally? Members of the EU Local Councillors Network are doing it with energy, creativity and a wide range of engaging formats. Here are some examples from the ground. 

A Gnome Trail with a European Twist in Leimen Forest 

In Leimen, Germany, EU Local Councillor Ralf Frühwirt transformed a simple walk in the woods into a shared community adventure, bringing together nature, imagination and a European spirit.  

For the past four years, the Leimen Gnome Trail has invited visitors to explore a forest path lined with trees decorated as tiny gnome homes, creating a playful miniature world among the woodland trails. Ralf Frühwirt gave the idea an added European dimension: “Our gnome walk season started on Europe Day. We also had a ‘House of Europe’, where gnomes could sleep in hammocks, and the flags of all EU countries were displayed everywhere. There was even a sign on the door saying that rooms were still available.” 

More than just a walk through the forest, the Leimen Gnome Trail became a chance for people to come together and celebrate openness, belonging and togetherness through a shared imaginative experience. It offered a small but joyful expression of European values, showing how community spirit, creativity and a sense of welcome can flourish in everyday local life.

Café Europa: Young Voices, Fresh Ideas for Europe 

EU Local Councillor Ruben Geleyns from the Municipality of Leuven, Belgium, organised a participatory event where young people came together in small groups to discuss what Europe means to them today and how the European Union could better respond to their expectations in the future. 

Over coffees and drinks, the conversation continued in a relaxed and informal setting, creating space for open exchange, honest reflection and peer-to-peer learning. By placing young people’s perspectives at the centre of the discussion, the activity showed how simple, community-based formats can spark meaningful engagement with European issues. 

A travelling lab’ for democracy across the Italian Slovenian border 

In the border region between Italy and Slovenia, EULC member Giulia Massolino, from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, led a travelling civic and political laboratory aimed at bringing citizens closer to public life and reinforcing participatory democracy at local level. 

Moving from town to town, the initiative created spaces for dialogue between citizens, local stakeholders and civil society representatives through public meetings, workshops and discussions. Together, participants explored some of Europe’s most pressing challenges — from climate transition and social inclusion to peace and community-led development — showing how local engagement can help shape a stronger shared future for Europe. 

Celebrating Europe through food in Calp and St. Pölten 

Every year, on Europe Day, Marco Bittner, EU Local Councillor from Calp (Spain) invites all his community to share a giant paella, a tradition celebrating "coexistence, solidarity and mutual understanding"..Belgian, Dutch, French-speaking, German and Romanian residents' associations all take part as the invitation is for all residents, also those not (yet) part of the EU, "such as our dear Ukrainian friends". For the Municipality of Calp, a paella is a way "to celebrate the EU and our diversity as a strength". 

A thousand kilometres further north, Europe’s rich culinary traditions inspired a special brunch in St. Pölten, Austria. EU Local Councillor Birgit Becker transformed the St. Georgen community centre into a welcoming European corner, where guests could savour a range of delights — from French croissants and Greek salad to Italian minestrone. 

Surrounded by EU and national flags, information materials and giveaways, participants enjoyed not only the food but also lively conversations about the future of Europe, EU membership and partnerships. A live piano performance of the European anthem added a memorable touch to the event’s warm and festive atmosphere. 

From Sitges to Europe: Christmas postcards of tradition 

EU Local Councillor Eva Martin Martinez brought a festive European spirit to Sitges (Spain) with an initiative centred on unity, integration and Christmas traditions across Europe. In a municipality where 27% of residents are foreign nationals — most of them from other EU countries — the project offered a creative way to bring people together. An informative leaflet, complete with tear-off postcards on European Christmas traditions, invited residents to discover, share and celebrate the rich diversity of the season. The result was a warm and engaging initiative that reflected the multicultural character of the town itself.

Feeling inspired by these examples? 

Have you also found creative ways to talk about the EU in your community? We’d love to hear about it! Send your examples to infoeu-councillors [dot] eu (info[at]eu-councillors[dot]eu) — we’d be delighted to turn them into inspiring stories for fellow EU Local Councillors.