Franco-German Civil Society: Object and Actor of Bilateral Relations. Balance and Perspectives after the Signing of the Treaty of Aachen
The treaty signed by France and Germany in Aachen on January 22, 2019 highlights the role of civil society in bilateral cooperation and aims to contribute to "bringing societies [and citizens in both countries] closer together".
Since the beginning of the millennium, the media and public actors have been promoting "citizens initiatives", which are supposed to be a guarantee of democracy and commitment from below.
Starting from a definition of civil society in relation to economic and state actors, this article aims to analyze current issues and implications of said civil society in bilateral and European relations, after recalling the historical contribution of these actors to Franco-German relations. As an example, twinning is analyzed in depth in order to distinguish different periods. The partnerships between cities allow us to understand how civil societies contribute to a collective reflection on the past as well as how they face contemporary challenges, such as the 'closing' of borders during the coronavirus pandemic.
Today, associations or societal forums are considered as the foundation of European construction. They have also managed to specify their needs and to communicate them better to politicians. This dedication even resulted in the successful implementation of the Citizens’ Fund. They are coordinating their work, as reflected in the initiatives of the two major federations of Franco-German associations, the Federation of Franco-German Associations for Europe (FAFA) and the Vereinigung der Deutsch-Französischen Gesellschaften / Federation of the German-French Societies (VDFG), which intend to be a Franco-German citizens' office aiming to go beyond the bilateral perimeter to play a greater role in Europe. However, it is clear that the work carried out by French and German associations is still often bilateral. The Europeanization of Franco-German social initiatives remain a challenge for the coming years.
Prof. Dr. Corine Defrance is Research Director at the CNRS and Deputy Director of the UMR SIRICE (Sorbonne Identités, relations internationales et civilisations de l'Europe) research center. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Paris 1-Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Dr. Tanja Herrmann holds a PhD in History and defended a dissertation in Cotutelle at the University of Mainz and the University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne on the second boom of Franco-German town twinning (1985-1994) in October 2017.
This publication is available the following languages:
- FRENCH: "Société civile franco-allemande : enjeu et acteur des relations bilatérales. Bilan et perspectives après la signature du traité d’Aix-la-Chapelle" (pdf)
- GERMAN: "Die deutsch-französische Zivilgesellschaft: Gegenstand und Akteur der bilateralen Beziehungen. Bilanz und Perspektiven nach Unterzeichnung des Aachener Vertrags" (pdf)
Author(s)
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programs
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
Find out more
Discover all our analyses
The “Huawei Saga” in Europe Revisited: German Lessons for the Rollout of 6G
While the European Union attempted to coordinate a collective response through its 5G Toolbox in Europe’s 5G infrastructure, member states diverged significantly in balancing political, economic, and technological considerations. Germany, despite its economic ties to China and status as Europe’s largest telecom market, only reached a tentative agreement in July 2024—one that appears largely symbolic.
France, the U.S. Oldest and Most Complicated Ally: A Stubborn Defender of a Truly European Industrial and Defence Policy
France, the U.S.’ oldest ally, is also the EU country which most stubbornly defends genuinely European industrial and defence policies. It calls for ‘strategic autonomy’ in all political domains, a position increasingly difficult to hold against a hardening international climate.
The Franco-German Brigade and the Revival of European Defense
One thing has been clear since Donald Trump's return to the White House: the very existence of the European unification project is threatened. Unless it develops a sovereign defense policy to counter the war in Ukraine and the weakening of American security guarantees, the European Union will continue to see its internal cohesion and external attractiveness wane.
Friedrich Merz and the Zeitenwende 2.0. A “New Era” for Transatlantic Relations?
On February 23, 2025, almost 60 million voters were called upon to elect a new Bundestag. These elections will also give rise to a new government in Europe's largest economy.