The aim of the proposed action is to reflect on the impact of the current instability of the EU on the citizens. The future of European integration seems to be at risk. A threefold crisis is affecting its political, economic and identitarian dimensions. Such an instability opens new scenarios that, on the one side, call for a closer investigation of the underlying phenomena and the actual consequences on the citizens and, on the other, raise a debate, inside and outside the academia, in relation to the possible responses. The ongoing deadlock is capable of hampering the cohesion between the Member States and distancing citizens from the Union. Financial constraints have negatively affected public expenses at the national and European level and, by consequence, consumers and citizens. Therefore, populist politicians take advantage of the situation blaming the European Union for the current economic situation and claiming for a repatriation of competences.The current situation poses the member States, and thus the Union, before a political, legal and economic conundrum: endorse the federalist solution or retreat to nationalism. The institutional adjustments that followed the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty have only partly provided new instruments for combatting the disaffection generated by the crisis and the perceived inaptitude of the Union to react promptly to social emergencies. It therefore appears necessary to: a) deepen and stimulate research on how to effectively challenge the present state of affairs through institutional and legislative adjustments; b) to spread awareness amongst citizens about the opportunities offered by the Union, also intercepting those parts of the population that for whatever reason are not familiar with the latter’s functioning. This project aims at reflecting and disseminating knowledge on the EU and its functioning as well as promoting its role amongst civil society through research and teaching.