European Forum Alpbach
In a world that acts faster and more decisively – can Europe still win on the decisive issues? Let's find out together at EFA26.
EFA26: 24 August - 4 September
Europe faces fundamental questions: Is Europe currently on the road to victory? Can Europe still win on the decisive issues? EFA26 will explore these questions, with voices from politics, science, business and culture, with young thinkers and experienced decision-makers.
Speakers at EFA26
Explore some of the confirmed and to be confirmed (tbc) speakers of the European Forum Alpbach 2026.
Claudia Bauer (fmr. Plakolm)
Wolfgang Hattmansdorfer
Joseph E. Stiglitz
Salome Zourabichvili (tbc)
Věra Jourová
Radek Sikorski (tbc)
Burkhard Balz
Peter Hanke
Gernot Wagner (tbc)
Peter Bosek
Anne Applebaum (tbc)
Martin Kocher
Rhiannon McQuone
Beate Meinl-Reisinger
Iara Lee
Magnus Brunner
Lea Ypi
Mairéad McGuinness
Ivan Krastev
Yascha Mounk
Christoph Wiederkehr
Norbert Totschnig
Clara Raposo
Alexander van der Bellen (Federal President of Austria) at his opening speech for the Austria in Europe Days.
The traditional reception with the Alpbach Rifle Company and the Alpbach Federal Music Band at the Austria in Europe Days Opening.
Discussion of Europe's place in the world with Wolfgang Ischinger (Munich Security Conference Foundation), Peter Bosek (Erste Group), Corinna Milborn (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).
The Loggia with the church of Alpbach in the background.
Othmar Karas (EFA-President and former First Vice-President of the European Parliament) during his opening speech at the Europe in the World Days.
Scholarship holders attend a seminar on "Power, Activism, and Change" with Alberto Alemanno (HEC Paris).
Jessika Roswall (EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy) at a session.
Participants on a hike.
Jean-Claude Juncker (former President of the European Commission) at a panel discussion.
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.
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.
Participants at a Brown Bag Lunch.
Panel discussion with Bart De Wever (Prime Minister of Belgium), Moderator Raffaela Schaidreiter (Head of Office ORF-Brussels), Christian Stocker (Federal Chancellor of Austria), and Axel van Trotsenburg (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.
Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo, at a Morning Briefing at the EFA24.
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.
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.
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EFA Update
OFFICE MANAGER:IN (m/w/d)
Europa liegt Ihnen am Herzen? Uns auch! Unterstützen Sie das Team des European Form Alpbach mit Ihrer persönlichen Expertise! Ab sofort suchen wir eine:n engagierte:n
We are looking for Hosts for EFA26
Zur Unterstützung unseres Teams in Alpbach suchen wir für August und September 2026 engagierte Hosts. Nutze deine Chance internationale Kontakte zu knüpfen und zur Mission eines starken und demokratischen Europas beizutragen!
Sovereign Europe Forum 2026
Recap of an official MSC side event co-hosted by European Forum Alpbach, United Europe, and Sovereign Europe Forum.
Alpbach in Motion
The EFA Leadership Lab: As part of the European Forum Alpbach, Alpbach in Motion (AIM) is a Lab for up to 40 outstanding professionals between the ages 30 to 40, who are willing to shape and transform Europe.
Scholarship Programme
Would you like to be part of the European Forum Alpbach event? Apply for a scholarship with us: You're in for a lifechanging experience!