European Forum Alpbach 2026

Can Europe still win on the decisive issues?

"How Europe Wins" is not a ready-made answer – it is an invitation to rethink Europe's strategies and, at the same time, an urgent call to follow up ideas with action.

In a world where everyone else seems to be acting faster and more decisively, Europe faces fundamental questions: Is Europe currently on the road to victory? Can Europe still win on the decisive issues? If so, alone or with which partners? Does someone have to lose for Europe to win? What is Europe missing to be a born winner – and what do we already have? And what game is being played anyway?

The European Forum Alpbach 2026 will explore these questions – with voices from politics, science, business and culture, with young thinkers and experienced decision-makers. Because the invitation and call for answers and action is addressed to everyone. No one can afford to remain in the status quo.

Academy Days: Building Europe’s Intellectual Commons

The Academy Days provide the intellectual foundation of the EFA. Through the new studio format and a shift to block structures, participants gain the space to think beyond immediate pressures and explore Europe’s long-term questions.

At stake is Europe’s capacity to cultivate knowledge, imagination, and a collaborative skillset. The Academy Days create an environment where reflection, exchange, and community-building strengthen the ability to anticipate challenges and shape the future with purpose.

Euregio Days: Expanding Europe Through Regional Constellations

The Euregio Days bring Europe into focus at a regional level, where cooperation becomes tangible and diverse perspectives meet. By extending EFA formats across additional European regions, they open new spaces for cross-border dialogue and shared problem-solving.

Conference Days: Converging Perspectives, Creating European Momentum

The Conference Days concentrate the module into a single, coherent experience. Each day revolves around one focus topic presented on the Main Stage and deepened through a corresponding networking event.

By bringing insights, actors, and ambitions together, the Conference Days help Europe move from reflection to direction. A strengthened closing session highlights the key outcomes and sets the stage for the next EFA cycle.

Tracks

Climate

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are defining challenges of this century. Europe has made a commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Reaching climate targets and exercising global leadership is becoming ever more challenging in light of a shifting political focus. Cross-sector and border collaboration and a focus on the economic opportunities of the transition are urgently needed. Europe must act and implement with greater unity than ever before, capturing hearts and minds, and transforming markets as it does.

Finance & Economy

The European economy is facing a number of challenges caused by geopolitical shifts, technological advances and climate change. Long-standing deficiencies such as slow growth, rising unemployment, stagnating productivity and demographic pressures further jeopardise Europe's prosperity. The Finance and Economy track explores possible solutions to these multifaceted challenges that threaten Europe's role in the world, aiming to strengthen its competitiveness and secure the financing of its future prosperity.

Security

The rise of military conflicts, dynamic shifts in Europe’s neighborhood, and the new U.S. administration coupled with the emergence of new blocs, induce a disintegration of global governance. This necessitates a reassessment of multilateral institutions and the international security framework. Europe must assert itself as a strategic actor by enhancing its geopolitical influence, boosting security and defence, and reducing dependencies. The new geopolitical reality demands a decisive, unified EU response to navigate an increasingly fragmented global landscape.

Democracy and the Rule of Law

After decades of expansion, democracy is in a worldwide decline. Liberal democracy is on the defensive under internal and external pressure. We are witnessing polarisation and the rise of populism and authoritarian politics. Disinformation and deep mistrust in governments and media are crucial factors. Democratic institutions and processes must be strengthened. Global alliances of democratic states, civil society and experts need to mobilise to develop solutions suited to today’s information and technology context.