Annual European Commission expenditure of approximately €25 million is allegedly directed towards promoting a pro-EU agenda within universities, according to a recent report.
The Jean Monnet Programme, launched in 1990 and named after Jean Monnet, a key architect of European Unity, is a controversial initiative aimed at encouraging teaching, research, and reflection in the field of European integration studies. This programme, run by the European Commission, is now under scrutiny for its role in promoting a pro-European Union narrative across the continent and beyond.
According to Thomas Fazi, an Italian journalist, the Jean Monnet Programme functions as 'institutional propaganda,' with the goal not specific policies, but rather to champion the EU and post-national integration. Fazi's concerns are shared by many, who argue that these initiatives blur the line between education and advocacy.
In her State of the Union address on September 10, EC President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to pour funds into media across Europe. This move is part of a broader strategy to promote media literacy and help students navigate disinformation. However, critics argue that the target audience of these initiatives suggests a more strategic dimension: shaping young citizens' perceptions well before they cast their ballots.
The European Commission describes the Jean Monnet Programme as a 'public diplomacy tool' designed to enhance the visibility of European values. Initiatives like the Media Resilience Programme, aimed at supporting independent journalism and media literacy, could further entrench pro-EU messaging across Europe.
However, Marginalizing critical or alternative viewpoints is a reported objective of the Jean Monnet Programme. Fazi warns that these initiatives may compromise academic independence, functioning more as spaces for political messaging than open inquiry.
In 2024, von der Leyen described disinformation as a 'virus' to be pre-emptively countered, advocating 'pre-bunking.' The European Commission is pushing for media literacy across the bloc via courses in 'critical thinking and politics' aimed at secondary school students, whom it calls 'first-time voters.'
The Jean Monnet Programme channels around €25 million per year to universities and research institutes in more than 70 countries. In 2025, key projects are distributed among seven Jean Monnet Designated Institutions (JMDIs): College of Europe (Bruges and Natolin), European University Institute (Florence), Academy of European Law (Trier), European Institute of Public Administration (Maastricht), European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education (Odense), and the International Center for European Training (Nice). Additionally, Centers of Excellence like the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence Crime Investigations and Criminal Justice at the Hochschule für Öffentliche Verwaltung Bremen focus on specialized research areas. These projects are supported within the Erasmus+ framework, aiming to stimulate EU-related academic teaching and research globally.
According to an official evaluation, Jean Monnet activities received €44.4 million in 2016 alone. The focus on younger students reflects an emphasis on fostering critical thinking skills early in the educational process.
Fazi's report on the Jean Monnet Programme as institutional propaganda has sparked a debate about the role of education in shaping public opinion. As the programme continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how it will balance its educational mission with its role as a tool for promoting EU narratives.
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