Between populist noise and technocratic silence, Europe needs leaders who can actually listen — and citizens who know how to speak.
Populism, Citizens and Leadership in the European Union Decision-Making Process
Erasmus+ | Jean Monnet Module
About the Module
POPULIST-GAMEMODE is an innovative Jean Monnet module that explores the intersection between populist discourse, citizen participation and decision-making in the European Union.
Discover Courses
The module provides master’s students in the fields of International Relations, European Studies, Political Science and Public Administration with the necessary tools to critically analyze populist narratives.
Explore Populist Discourse Observatory
This interactive platform allows students, researchers, journalists, and interested citizens to document, analyze, and critically evaluate populist narratives in electoral campaigns.
Courses
Leadership and Decision-Making in Organizations
This course explores how leaders take decisions when they face polarised publics, populist narratives and high levels of uncertainty. Students work with real-life cases from public institutions, NGOs and private organizations connected to EU policies. Through simulations, decision-making games and leadership labs, participants learn how to move from slogans to evidence, how to manage disagreement inside teams, and how to design decisions that are both legitimate and effective. The course is ideal for students interested in leadership roles in public administration, civil society, media or EU-related careers.
The Role of Leadership in the European Union: State and Citizens
This course focuses on leadership at the intersection between national politics and EU decision-making. We examine how political leaders communicate “Europe” to their citizens, how populist actors challenge EU institutions, and how democratic leadership can remain both responsive to voters and responsible for the European common good. Through case studies on European Council negotiations, election campaigns and referendums, students analyse the relationship between state, parties and citizens. Interactive exercises, debates and mini-simulations help participants understand what credible leadership looks like in a multilevel European democracy.
events
Policy Papers
POPULIST-GAMEMODE will produce a yearly series of policy papers written by students and staff, addressing key challenges related to populism, citizen participation and EU decision-making. Participants learn how to translate academic knowledge into clear, concise recommendations for policymakers, journalists and civil society. The best papers will be published online in the POPULIST-GAMEMODE Policy Paper Series and shared with stakeholders at local, national and European level. In this way, the project connects classroom work with real debates about the future of democracy in the European Union.
Platform launch – “Populist Discourse Observatory” – 2026
The Populist Discourse Observatory is an interactive online platform that collects, maps and analyses examples of populist discourse in EU and national politics. Built together with students, researchers and journalists, the platform will offer a searchable database of speeches, campaign materials and social media content, coded using transparent criteria. The launch event in 2026 will present the first findings, host a roundtable with experts and practitioners, and offer a live demonstration of the platform’s tools for teaching, research and fact-checking. The Observatory aims to support more informed, critical discussions about populism in Europe.
Summer school 2026 – “Countering Populist Discourse in the European Union”
This one-week summer school at Babeș-Bolyai University brings together students, young professionals, journalists and NGO activists interested in democratic communication. Through lectures, workshops and simulation games, participants explore how populist narratives are constructed and how they can be answered without copying populist styles. The programme combines theoretical sessions on EU politics and populism with practical training in argumentation, storytelling, media literacy and citizen engagement. The summer school concludes with a public debate and a set of joint proposals on how European institutions and national actors can better communicate with citizens.
POPULIST-GAMEMODE 