The alliance aims to promote a citizens-centered European democracy starting with a democratic, transparent, and participatory Conference on the Future of Europe. Together with now 50 organizations and counting, the coalition has organized three online conferences, submitted an open letter to Angela Merkel and the EU institutions, drafted 10 principles for how a citizens’ conference should be run, and submitted an official petition to the European Parliament followed by a self-organized public hearing. Currently, Democracy International is leading the monitoring and evaluation of the Conference and the European Citizens' Panels.

The goal of the Citizens Take Over coalition is to ensure citizens continue to hold a central role in the Conference as equal partners alongside politicians and that the outcomes of the Conference are adequately followed-up, also by beginning of a process of EU Treaty change, if necessary.