The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is a non-governmental and supranational organisation dedicated to the promotion of a democratic and federal Europe. It consists of 25 constituent organisations and it has been active at the European, national, and local levels for more than 75 years. It was founded shortly after World War II with the belief that only a European Federation, based on the idea of unity in diversity, could overcome the division of the European continent that had caused the suffering and destruction of the two World Wars. Federalists believe that only a common effort of European citizens working towards this goal could create a peaceful and democratic Europe guaranteeing freedom and the protection of human rights.