Welcome to the FES EU Office

More information

EU flags in front of the European Commission's Berlaymont building. — Creator: VanderWolf-Images | Getty Images via canva.com

Bolstering European Social Democracy for over 50 years!

The EU Office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), with its headquarters in Brussels and activities in Brussels and Strasbourg, was opened in 1973. It participates in the European integration process, backs and accompanies the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany in Europe and contributes to shaping the external relations of the European Union by facilitating dialogue, education and consultancy.

Our topics

News

A view of the conference room for the Brussels Democracy Dialogue 2026 — Creator: Bernal Revert | BR&U

News

Tuesday, 27.10.2026

Recap: Brussels Democracy Dialogue 2026

Illiberal forces threaten European democracies, with new technologies accelerating democratic backsliding. The Brussels Democracy Dialogue 2026 brought together experts to discuss strategies for progressive resilience.

Flags of the UK and EU. — Creator: narvikk | Getty Images via canva.com

Upcoming Events

Friday, 09.10.2026

The EU-UK Progressive Forum: A new chapter

EU-UK relations have entered a new phase, marked by new agreements and closer cooperation. But how can these developments lead to a more strategic and impactful long-term partnership? Join our discussion on 3 November!

Protesters holding up posters. — Creator: shaunl | Getty Images via canva.com

Publication

Friday, 09.10.2026

Resisting democratic backsliding

Democratic backsliding does not happen overnight. Rachel Beatty Riedl analyses typical patterns in the latest Brussels Democracy Paper and shows how to best resist them.

The central market hall in Budapest. — Creator: Digital-Fotofusion Gallery / Alamy

Publication

Wednesday, 07.10.2026

Illiberalism and the European Single Market

When the rule of law is undermined, the European Single Market suffers. This policy brief examines the situation in Poland and Hungary and offers recommendations for the next EU budget to safeguard democratic principles.

Two women with their backs turned to the camera holding up an EU flag. — Creator: Viktorcvetkovic | Getty Images Signature via canva.com

A sovereign and social Europe

A sovereign and social Europe depends on the financial choices the EU makes today. We accompany the negotiations for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 to ensure policy proposals are assessed through a social-democratic lense.

A paper chain of humans holding hands. — Creator: Africa Images via Canva.com

Democracy, Gender Justice and Human Rights

Democracies around the world are feeling the pressure in the face of rising authoritarianism, nationalism and populism. The EU is no exception.

EU Projects

By implementing projects co-funded by the EU, the FES aims to actively contribute to sustainable EU development cooperation based on solidarity.

People passing by at Cologne Central Station. Cologne, 16 March 2017 — Creator: picture alliance / Christoph Hardt / Geisler-Fotopress

Migration and Integration

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s EU Office uses its expertise to bring greater objectivity to the debate on migration.

Ukrainian flag in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin — Creator: © Olaf Schülke / picture alliance / SZ Photo

Foreign, Security and Defence Policy

The FES EU Office works to ensure that the Common European Defense policy remains value-driven and peace-oriented.

A scale with an EU flag tipping between two shopping carts. — Creator: Yingko / Gettyimages via Canva.com

Trade and International Cooperation

The FES EU Office is dedicated to promoting a trade and development policy at EU level that is sustainable and fair, democratic and transparent.

Four hands hold four puzzle pieces in the air — Creator: PeopleImages / Getty Images via Canva.com

Economic and Digital Policy, Social Europe

The Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation's EU Office aims at striking a social, environmental and economic balance in the EU.

Education in times of AI and Big EdTech

Rikap, Cecilia | Brussels, Belgium : FEPS, Foundation for European Progressive Studies, november 2026

why we need a public-led democratic and community-centred EdTech stack

Download publication

One-stop-shops: koordinierte Integration von Anfang an

Gebhardt, Dirk ; Kosmala, Bella | Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V., Juli 2026

Download publication

Montenegro between the EU and Trojan horses

Jovićević, Biljana | Belgrade : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, July 2026

Download publication

Illiberalism's challenge to the European single market

Albrecht, York | 2nd revised edition, Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V., September 2026

lessons learned for the next multiannual financial framework

Download publication

All publications

FES EU Office Newsletter

Sign up for our monthly newsletter and occasional emails with updates on publications, events and other news about our work at the FES EU Office. You can, of course, unsubscribe at any time.