GEF Talks at Ecotransformation 2026 (Oucmanice)

How can European democracies respond to the rise of authoritarianism, technological disruption and growing inequalities? Join the GEF Talks at the Czech Green Summer School Ecotransformation 2026 for a day of discussions exploring democracy, technology, political resilience and the future of Green politics in Europe.

About the Event

GEF Talks is a special contribution by the Green European Foundation to the Ecotransformation 2026 Green Summer School, organised by the Institute for Active Citizenship in cooperation with Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Prague and the Green European Foundation. Taking place from 6–9 August 2026 at Ekocentrum Paleta in Oucmanice, the summer school brings together activists, local and regional politicians, academics, civil society organisations and engaged citizens from across Czechia and Europe for four days of political education, debate and practical exchange.

The sixth edition of the summer school explores the links between ecological transformation and democratic resilience at a time when Europe is facing growing political polarisation, technological change and mounting pressure on democratic institutions. Through debates, workshops and practical sessions, participants will examine how societies can respond to these challenges while advancing a just and sustainable future.

GEF Talks day, taking place on Friday, 7 August 2026, contributes a distinctly European perspective to these discussions, by bringing together Green politicians, researchers and experts from across Europe. Across the day, discussions will examine the future of democracy after authoritarianism, the need for European technological sovereignty, the regulation of digital platforms and artificial intelligence, and the growing influence of oligarchic power on democratic systems. Together, the sessions reflect GEF’s ongoing work on democracy, technology and political ecology, while fostering dialogue between European and Czech perspectives on some of the defining challenges facing Europe today.

Programme

You can find the GEF Talks sessions below. If you are interested in the full programme of the Ecotrasformation 2026 Green Summer School, please visit this page.

Thursday 6 August 2026

Opening debate: Must liberal democracy change in order to survive? Culture wars and the rise of the far right in Europe

in conversation with

• Jakub Jetmar, researcher and journalist on media and digital culture
• Benedek Jávor, GEF board member and former Member of the European Parliament, Greens/EFA

Friday 7 August 2026

Hungary after Orbán and its consequences for the V4 countries

• Benedek Jávor, GEF Board Member ad former Member of the European Parliament, Greens/EFA

Why do we need European technology sovereignty for saving democracy in the EU?

• Irena Ferčíková Konečná, Member of Parliament, Czech Greens and human rights expert
• Policy Advisor, Greens/EFA (TBC)
• Policy Officer, European Digital Rights (TBC)

Social media bans for minors: Can European laws protect vulnerable people against the harmful effects of toxic algorithms?

• Irena Ferčíková Konečná, Member of Parliament, Czech Greens and human rights expert
• Natalie Bennett, Member of the House of Lords, former Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
• Policy Advisor, Greens/EFA (TBC)
• Policy Officer, European Digital Rights (TBC)

Oligarchy in Europe: How can we fight it?

• Natalie Bennett, Member of the House of Lords, former Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
• Gabriela Svárovská, Member of Parliament, Czech Greens

What Green parties in Europe can learn from the recent surge of Greens in England and Wales? Q&A session with Natalie Bennett.

• Natalie Bennett, Member of the House of Lords, former Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Practicalities

Date: Friday, 7 August 2026 (within the Ekotransformace 2026  Green Summer School taking place 6–9 August 2026)

Location: Ekocentrum Paleta, Oucmanice, Czechia

Language: English (selected sessions) and Czech. Please note the GEF day will be the only one providing all English sessions. If you wish to participate to the broader summer school, keep in mind the sessions will mostly be in Czech with no live translation.

Registration: via the organisers’ registration form. Please note that the GEF sessions are free, but participation in the full summer school requires registration and payment of the participation fee. More information is available on the organisers’ website.

This stream of sessions is organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of Institut Aktivního Občanství and with financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.