A large-scale study by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), a pan-European think tank, finds that while 73% of Europeans share an ambitious vision for greater unity, peace, and prosperity, 74% believe the continent is handling its major challenges poorly and 56% think Europe's future is "in danger." The research, drawing on interviews with 5,800 people across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the UK, identifies what its author calls an "imagination gap" — people can picture the Europe they want but cannot envision a credible path to get there. The study warns that this widespread disillusionment is creating fertile ground for far-right narratives of decline, and urges European leaders to focus less on grand promises and more on delivering visible, tangible progress on issues such as defence, energy security, and the cost of living.