European Forum Alpbach

In two months, the European Forum Alpbach brings together 5,000 participants from 100+ countries.

There are many roads leading to Alpbach – with standard, reduced & free ways to join. Choose your option and be part of How Europe Wins.

More about the ticket options : https://www.alpbach.org/tickets

EFA26 Is Coming to Life!

EFA is diverse across disciplines, generations, perspectives, and formats. Whether you are interested in policy, business, science, technology, culture, or civic engagement, you'll find sessions that match your interests and opportunities to build meaningful new connections throughout the Forum.

Across four focus topics, we will explore some of Europe's most pressing questions:
🔹 Capability & Renewal: How can Europe regain its ability to act?
🔹 Finance & Trust: How should Europe invest in its common future?
🔹 Technology & Society: How can Europe shape its technological destiny?
🔹 Envisioning the Europe We Build: What kind of Europe do we want to build?

From high-level panels and interactive workshops to artistic interventions and networking opportunities, the programme brings together diverse perspectives to tackle the challenges – and opportunities – ahead.

Filter the programme by your interests, and start planning your EFA experience: https://www.alpbach.org/event/programme-26

EFA365 Event: The New Energy Transition Imperative for European Security

Energy policy is no longer just climate policy – it is central to Europe’s security, competitiveness, and ability to act strategically. This discussion explores the key industrial and energy policy choices Europe must make today to stay resilient tomorrow.

How can we avoid new dependencies on critical raw materials and key technologies? Which partnerships matter in a shifting geopolitical landscape? And what vision for Europe will ensure a transformation that truly lasts?

Speakers:
- Johanna Roniger, Research Analyst at the KONTEXT Institute for Climate Matters
- Tobias Lang, Director of the Austrian Centre for Peace
- Antonella Mei-Pochtler, CEO of iSi Group; Board Member, EFA
- Members of the European Parliament .ats and Lukas Mandl
The event will be moderated by Irene Giner-Reichl, EFA Climate Committee member and co-founder of the Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition.

📅 Date: 25 June 2026
🕒 Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
📍 Location: Haus der Europäischen Union, 1010 Vienna
🎟️ Free registration: https://www.alpbach.org/sessions/efa_365_-_how_europe_wins_die_neue_energiewende-maxime_europischer_sicherheit2446905578
The event will be held in German.

What does it mean for Europe to win?

Ahead of , EFA President Othmar Karas speaks about Europe’s implementation gap, fragmented capital markets, and why too many European scaleups are lost at the growth stage – despite the EU’s enormous potential.

Under this year’s theme, “How Europe Wins,” the European Forum Alpbach brings together voices across generations, sectors, and borders to discuss how Europe can strengthen its freedom, democracy, competitiveness, and capacity to act in an increasingly complex world.

Because Europe does not lack ideas – it must learn to act together.

This interview is part of a thematic partnership with DerBrutkasten.

Read the full interview (in German): https://brutkasten.com/artikel/wir-verlieren-zu-viele-unternehmen-genau-dann-wenn-sie-wachsen

We will continue these discussions at the European Forum Alpbach 2026 (24 August - 4 September 2026) – be part of the conversations and get your ticket now!

🇪🇺✨ Europe Rave Recap
On Europe Day (9 May), we came together to celebrate what Europe is all about: unity, connection, diversity, and a shared future. From music and conversation to dancing together across cultures, this evening showed that community can be powerful — and fun.
 
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating Europe, and the idea that together, we are stronger. 🤝

Like EFA President said: “Europe needs you: your energy, your impatience, your creativity!”
 
In cooperation with and

📸 ZWIDEMU

What does leadership look like when we truly lead differently?

At the EFA x PwC Women Network event, one thing stood out: female leadership is not about fitting into existing molds, it’s about reshaping them with authenticity, diversity, and courage.

Together, we explored big questions:
✨ What defines successful leadership today?
✨ How do diverse perspectives drive innovation and sustainable success?
✨ And how can leadership thrive across different genders, generations, and realities?

With insights from Karin Gonnermann (PwC Austria), Prim.a Dr. Judith Noske (Lower Austria State Health Agency), Prof. Mag.a Dr.in Sabine Bergner (University of Graz), Valerie Hengl (Wien Energie; Forum Alpbach Network), and Mariella Schultes (ÖBB), the discussion made one thing clear: inclusive leadership drives collaboration, innovation, and sustainable success.

One key takeaway: Leadership is like a raised garden bed – create the right conditions, and diverse talents can grow together and reach their full potential.

More details in our blogpost: https://www.alpbach.org/blog/women-network

Special thanks to PwC Women Network for hosting and co-organising!

Meet this year's EFA Speaker: Yascha Mounk – a leading thinker on democracy and the challenges facing liberal societies. He is a political scientist and professor at Johns Hopkins University and the author of several influential books. His work connects academic research with public debate, focusing on populism, polarization, and the future of liberal democracy.

Be part of the exchange on political cohesion in an age of division at the European Forum Alpbach 2026.

Secure your ticket now: https://www.alpbach.org/efa26

Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan

A meaningful exchange with President Alexander Van der Bellen at the Hofburg.

President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed Othmar Karas , President of the European Forum Alpbach, together with EFA scholarship holders and studio chairs at the Austrian Presidential Chancellery.

Alongside the symbolic handover of the first EFA ticket issued this year, the meeting created space for an open discussion on this year’s annual theme, “How Europe Wins”, and the shared responsibility to strengthen a democratic and united Europe.

The scholarship holders brought together perspectives from Austria, Spain, and India, and were spanning a wide range of fields – from the arts to Global Studies.

Their exchange with President Alexander Van der Bellen reflects what defines the European Forum Alpbach: dialogue across borders, generations, and disciplines.

However, the dialogue doesn’t stop here. It continues this summer in Alpbach at the European Forum Alpbach 2026 (24 August to 4 September) – and the EFA is honored and excited to welcome Austria's Federal President among its distinguished guests again.

Photo Credit: HBF/Peter Lechner

Forum Alpbach Network