Upcoming Events Policy Conference 2026: Towards a sustainable European sovereignty 17.09.2026 Geopolitical and economic disruptions in recent years have shown that the EU must work toward a more sovereign future. Join our policy conference, jointly organsied with FEPS, to discuss what needs to change. Image: Creator: FEPS From the war in Ukraine, the following energy crisis, the trade uncertainties under the second Trump administration to the new energy crisis prompted by the conflict between the US/Israel and Iran: The European Union has faced a multitude of geopolitical and economic disruptions lately. Likewise, pressure on key environmental, social and digital issues is increasing, both from the US and conservative and far-right political groups relaying the interests of a few industrial lobbies. Towards a more sovereign European future These developments highlight the importance of building a sustainable European sovereignty by breaking away from fossil fuel dependence, protecting citizens’ and workers’ rights, and investing in a healthy and climate-neutral future. This project must be rooted in social justice, climate and biodiversity protection, and fair digital innovation. Join Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Honorary President of the Club of Rome and Executive Chair of Earth4All, as well as other high-level speakers for our 2026 Policy Conference to define and advance an agenda for a European sovereignty that serves people and the planet. Two-day Policy Conference On 30 September and 1 October 2026, we bring together progressive policymakers, trade unionists, civil society representatives and experts for high-level discussions, thematic sessions and networking opportunities. Together we will explore key topics likeenergy independence and affordability,the next Multiannual Financial Framework,and the social-democratic agenda for AI in the labour market.This conference is organised by FEPS and FES in collaboration with the ETUC, IndustriAll Europe and Solidar. Date: Wednesday, 30 September 2026, 16:00 CEST and Thursday, 1 October 2026, 08:30 CEST Venue: BIP Meeting Center, Rue Royale 2/4, 1000 Brussels, Belgium For more information, please contact Jonathan.Schnock(at)fes.de. Register now Programme overview Day 1 16:00 Registration 17:00 Keynote welcome remarksNicolas Schmit, FEPS PresidentIsabelle Schömann, ETUC Deputy Secretary GeneralIntroduced by László Andor, FEPS Secretary General 18:30 High-level Dialogue on a sustainable European sovereigntyTeresa Ribera, European Commission Executive Vice-PresidentSandrine Dixson-Declève, Honorary President of the Club of Rome and ExecutiveChair of Earth4AllModerated by Dave Keating, France 24 18:30 Networking reception // End of Day 1 Day 2 08:30 Registration and welcome coffee 09:15 Welcome remarksRichard Probst, Director, FES Competence Centre Climate and Social Justice 09:30 Session 1: Beyond the EU budget: innovative public investment instruments for sustainability and innovation scale-upMatthias Ecke, MEP, S&DLudovic Voet, Confederal Secretary, ETUCAnna Krzyzanowska, Adviser, Startups and Scale-ups, DG RTD, European CommissionDora Piroska, Associate Professor at Central European UniversityModerated by Anna Kolesnichenko (FEPS) and Jonathan Schnock (FES EU Office) 11:00 Coffee break 11:30 Session 2: The electrification challenge: how can Europe accelerate electrification while protecting its households and workers? Expert scene-setting by Frauke Thies, Director Europe, Agora EnergiewendeNicolas Gonzalez Casares, MEP, S&DJudith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary, IndustriAll EuropeNicola Rega, Executive Director Climate Change and Energy, CEFIC Moderated by Chloé Deffet (FEPS) and Stephan Thalhofer (FES Competence Centre Just Climate) 13:00 Networking lunch 14:00 Session 3: AI, work, and the future: where is the social-democratic agenda?Dragoș Adăscăliței, Research Officer, EurofoundZuzanna Warso, Director of Research, Open FutureVickie Dekocker, Senior Expert, AgoriaModerated by Justin Nogarede, Senior Policy Analyst (FES Competence Centre on the Future of Work) 15:30 Closing remarks / End of Day 2Mariam Asghari, Secretary General, YESModerated by François Balate (FEPS) Image: Creator: FEPS Related articles Tuesday, 02.09.2025 News Publication Policy Brief: A progressive roadmap for expanding European digital sovereignty Europe needs to reclaim control over digital technologies. Our new policy brief offers practical strategies and best practices for more sovereignty. Image: Creator: shutterstock.com/g/Viteethumb Friday, 28.08.2026 Publication How can Europe's missing middle be financed? When it comes to financing innovation scale-up, Europe often seeks inspiration in the Silicon Valley. However, important lessons might also be drawn from looking East, writes Cornel Ban. Thursday, 18.12.2025 News Publication Policy Brief: The Competitiveness Coordination Tool Fragmented industrial policies are holding Europe back. The Commission has announced a Competitiveness Coordination tool to tackle this issue. Explore what this could look like in our new policy brief. Event contact Jonathan Schnock Policy Officer Economic & Digital Policy, Social Europe Jonathan.Schnock(at)fes.de
