European Forum Alpbach
is an inspirational place that opens minds and souls for Europeʼs future. A forum that generates ideas and sparks action.
Every year, for two weeks, the mountain village of Alpbach becomes an international meeting place for people committed to shaping Europe’s future. In a time marked by global uncertainties, technological transformation and major social challenges, the Forum offers a space for exchange, fresh ideas and concrete solutions.
The EFA26 will take place from 22 August to 4 September 2026.
Stay tuned – information regarding the European Forum Alpbach 2026 will be continuously updated. In the meantime, we invite you to explore some key highlights of EFA25 below.
That was EFA25!
EFA25 concluded with a powerful message of renewal and unity, welcoming 4,700 participants from 127 countries – including 500 scholarship holders selected from a record of 7,000+ applications. Under the theme “Recharge Europe,” over 550 sessions tackled the future of Europe’s economic, social, and institutional resilience. The Forum saw exceptional engagement from political leaders, as well as a record number of business leaders, with 36 CEOs taking part.
Eight renowned think tanks served as Reporting Partners, helping secure long-term impact. Learn more about Reporting Partners. Explore more selected outcomes of the European Forum Alpbach 2025.
The traditional reception with the Alpbach Rifle Company and the Alpbach Federal Music Band at the Austria in Europe Days Opening.
Othmar Karas (EFA-President and former First Vice-President of the European Parliament) during his opening speech at the Europe in the World Days.
The Loggia with the church of Alpbach in the background.
Jean-Claude Juncker (former President of the European Commission) at a panel discussion.
Scholarship holders attend a seminar on "Power, Activism, and Change" with Alberto Alemanno (HEC Paris).
f.l.t.r.: Othmar Karas (EFA-President), Anton Mattle (Governor of Tyrol), Jean-Claude Juncker (former President of the European Commission), Arno Kompatscher (Governor of South Tyrol), Maurizio Fugatti (Governor of Trentino), and Norbert Totschnig (Austrian Federal Minister of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism) at the Tyrol Day.
Participants on a hike.
Discussion of Europe's place in the world with (f.l.t.r.) Wolfgang Ischinger (President of the Foundation Council, Munich Security Conference Foundation), Peter Bosek (CEO, Erste Group), Corinna Milborn (Director of Information, ProSiebenSat1Puls4), Beate Meinl-Reisinger (Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs), Jan Lipavský (Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs), and Oana Țoiu (Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs).
Jessika Roswall (EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy) at a session.
Fatou Jeng (Founder of Clean Earth Gambia) at the seminar "Global Politics and Influence: Africa at the Crossroad of Geopolitics and Climate Crisis".
Participants engage in a hike and discussion with Armin Laschet (Member and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Bundestag and Co-Chair of the EFA Strategic Advisory Council), focusing on the mainstreaming of extremism.
Alexander van der Bellen (Federal President of Austria) at his opening speech for the Austria in Europe Days.
Participants at a Brown Bag Lunch.
f.l.t.r.: Panel discussion with Bart De Wever (Prime Minister of Belgium), Moderator Raffaela Schaidreiter (ORF-Correspondent, Head of Office ORF-Brussels), Christian Stocker (Federal Chancellor of Austria), and Axel van Trotsenburg (Senior Managing Director, World Bank).
Maria Luís Albuquerque (EU Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union) on a hike about a Green Industrial Deal.
Christian Stocker (Federal Chancellor of Austria) at the closing of the Austria in Europe Days.
Participants at a panel discussion.
Edgars Rinkēvičs (President of the Republic of Latvia) holds an opening speech.
Radikale Töchter ask thought-provoking questions as part of the Arts & Culture programme at the EFA25.
Joseph E. Stiglitz (Nobel Laureate) and Sabine Weyand (EU Director-General for Trade) at a Brown Bag Lunch hosted by SZ Dossier.
Participants of the international evening, organised by the Forum Alpbach Network (FAN) Committee.
Lukas Oscar at a concert as part of the Arts & Culture programme.
80 Years of Driving Change for Europe
Since its founding in the aftermath of World War II, the European Forum Alpbach has been a space for critical thinking, open dialogue, and visionary ideas for a peaceful and forward-looking Europe. For 80 years, it has brought together students, thinkers, and changemakers to ask: What kind of Europe do we want?
To mark this anniversary, we celebrate the people, stories, and bold ideas that continue to shape the spirit of Alpbach – and the future of Europe.
About us:
Our purpose for today and beyond is quite simple: The European Forum Alpbach is a space and place for the emergence of reflection and action. It brings together young people from Europe and from all over the world with the most innovative minds from politics, business, civil society, culture, and science to drive ideas for a strong and democratic Europe. With this diverse, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary community, the Forum influences key actors throughout the European continent to facilitate their learning and decisions.
Be a part of the EFA:
There are many options to become part of the European Forum Alpbach! Whether you want to attend the event, become a scholarship holder, participate in our leadership lab, Alpbach in Motion, and become part of the Alumni Network, or join us as a partner or an association member.
Joining the EFA offers exclusive access to valuable insights on Europe’s most pressing challenges, inspiring ideas, and valuable networking opportunities. For many it is the beginning of a personal transformation. More than 4,000 people participate in the annual main event, taking place each summer in Tyrol. You can be one of them!
Stay up to date:
Stay informed with our newsletters: Get the latest insights for EFA25, receive event invitations of our year-long EFA365 initiative, or learn more about the scholarship programme and our track topics.
Our track newsletters dive deeper into our four tracks climate, security, finance & economy, and democracy & the rule of law and contain political analyses on the respective topic, expert interviews, podcast tips and more.
Sign up to our newsletters!
EFA Update
Change in the EFA Management
The European Forum Alpbach has undergone an intensive transformation process over the past four years, the success of which was impressively evident at this year’s EFA25. With preparations for EFA26 now underway, a change in the management is imminent.
4.700 participants at the European Forum Alpbach 2025
The success of the European Forum Alpbach confirms chosen path.
Filter the Future – An Alpbach IDEA Success Story
What began as an Alpbach IDEA, incubated by Club Alpbach France in 2024, has grown into a global coalition tackling one of the most overlooked sources of marine pollution: cigarette butts.
Opening Speech: Europe in the World Days
Othmar Karas, President of the EFA, opens the Europe in the World Days with a call for European unity in times of global crisis. In his speech, he highlights the strength of shared values, the responsibility to uphold democracy and the rule of law, and the need for Europe’s voice to be heard clearly and decisively on the world stage.
Expert Insights
Eight reporting partners will closely observe the discussions at European Forum Alpbach 2025. Their mission: to analyse key topics in democracy, climate, security, and economics and capture critical insights.