About

The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence BRIDGE (Building Research and Innovation in Identity, Diversity, and Governance in Europe), established at Özyeğin University (OzU), aims to serve as a leading platform for research, education, and dialogue on European governance, democracy, and inclusion. BRIDGE responds to the major transformations reshaping Europe today — migration, digitalization, and climate change — by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and civil-society actors.

As part of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Actions, BRIDGE strengthens Turkey's engagement with European integration studies through innovative teaching, policy-relevant research, and public outreach. It embodies the European Union’s 2024-2029 strategic priorities of democratic resilience, sustainable competitiveness, digital transformation, and social inclusion.

The Centre brings together a diverse community of researchers and practitioners committed to exploring how European governance can remain inclusive, sustainable, and future-oriented. By bridging academic inquiry with civic engagement, BRIDGE contributes to a more informed, participatory, and resilient democratic culture in Turkey and across Europe.