European Green Academy4

Jun 12 2026
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European Green Academy 2026: Democracy, Tech and Civil Society at a Turning Point

By European Green Academy

About EGA

The European Green Academy brings together Green and progressive actors, civil society representatives, activists, thinkers, and engaged citizens from across Europe and beyond to exchange ideas, strengthen connections, and reflect collectively on the political challenges shaping our societies. The Academy aims to foster learning, transnational debate, and networking across the wider Green and progressive ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

This April, the European Green Academy reopened its doors in an exceptionally sunny Brussels for its fourth edition. This year’s edition welcomed over 180 participants, organisations and platforms from more than 35 countries, alongside more than 40 speakers, moderators and trainers, with a strong emphasis on diversity and intergenerational dialogue. Over 1.5 days, participants and speakers came together not only to debate the challenges facing Europe today, but also to collectively reflect on the kind of future Greens and progressives want to build.

Under the overarching themes of democracy under pressure, digital sovereignty, and autonomy and resilience, the Academy created a rich space for discussion across plenaries, debates, and workshops. The programme combined strategic reflection with practical exchange, creating space both for high-level political discussions and for sharing concrete experiences, initiatives, and organising practices from across Europe. From Nika Kovač’s reflections on civic mobilisation and democratic participation, to Tarik Abou-Chadi and Rosa Martínez’s discussion on the future of democracy in Europe, and Shannon Vallor’s exploration of technology and human agency, participants engaged with some of the most pressing questions facing Europe today. 

Beyond the formal programme, this edition stood out for the strong sense of community that emerged throughout the event. Participants repeatedly highlighted the value of having a space where people from different sectors, countries, generations, and political experiences could meet, exchange openly and build new connections. The programme was also enriched by a cultural evening featuring Iranian singer-songwriters and dancers, creating a powerful artistic moment centred on resistance and solidarity. 

The Academy once again affirmed the importance of transnational spaces for political education, collective reflection, and movement-building across the Green and progressive ecosystem. We warmly thank all participants who joined us, as well as the inspiring speakers for their contributions, our dedicated volunteers, partners, and everyone who helped make this edition possible.
Photography: © 2026 Giulia Simonetti

 

Quotes from participants at EGA 2024

“I left with feelings of renewal and optimism. The former from all the new ideas I had heard, and the latter from the energetic, clever, passionate and kind people I met.”

“The whole event was extremely inspiring, I loved how you curated the audience- majority women and majority young, but it wasn’t labelled as a youth event. I think that is true representation.”

“I liked most sessions equally. I enjoyed when speakers gave specific examples of what I can implement in my work.”

“The sessions co-organised with FYEG were very beneficial to me, as having a youth wing and youth engaged in my party is currently one of my main priorities and learning from fellow Young European Greens is very valuable in terms of dos and don’ts in what I’m hoping to build. And networking is also one of the most beneficial aspects of EGA. Sessions are great for knowledge-building, but so are more personal exchanges.”

Recordings & Photos

Did you miss #EGA2026? Watch our after movie!

Videography: © 2026 Clément Carat

View #EGA2026 in photos here!

 

This event was organised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

Dec 03 2024
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European Green Academy 2024: Inspiring a Collective Green Vision for Europe

By European Green Academy

About EGA

The European Green Academy (EGA) serves as an annual meeting point for Green actors and engaged citizens from across Europe to connect, debate and build capacities in an inspiring learning environment. With a strong focus on political education and tailored methodologies, EGA provides a space for learning and experimentation, and for participants to gain inspiration and insights to build common Green vision for Europe.  

This November, EGA reopened its doors for the third time, taking place in Brussels and gathering leading green actors, activists, civil society actors, and engaged citizens from across Europe. 

Key Takeaways

GEF welcomed over 300 participants, organisations, and platforms from 42 countries, with around two thirds of attendees under the age of 30. Joining them were 75 speakers from 25 countries, all coming together to connect, exchange ideas, and inspire action.

In the context of a post-EU election landscape, this years’ edition focussed on the future of Europe, delving into key thematic areas around Democracy, Social Europe and Green Deal. Offering over 20 programmatic sessions, the programme fostered forward-thinking discussions on critical topics, from democracy and the far right, housing, and environmental racism, to media freedom, peace and security, and a green and social pact. Spanning a diverse range of formats, from keynote and plenary moments, to workshops, training, cosy living room style conversations and networking activities, the agenda was complemented with a cultural programme bringing together artists, comedians and dancers, from Europe, Palestine and the Middle East.  

The Academy concluded with an Activist Training Day, facilitating a space for young activists to conclude their Academy journey with skills building and activation strategies to put their learning on European and Green topics into action. Participants benefited from expert-led training and peer-to-peer learning, as well as having the opportunity to meet inspiring leading Green actors.

The success of the Academy was driven by the active participation and contributions of attendees. Their enthusiasm and ideas sparked meaningful discussions, fostered valuable connections, and brought fresh perspectives to the forefront. Such dynamic exchanges and collaborative atmosphere truly underscored the importance of collective action in shaping a greener, more socially just and democratic future.

Check out our full photo album here!

Quotes from participants at EGA 2024

“The Academy taught me that our impact in society is not that small that we maybe thought, but every action and attitude that we take will have a profound impact.”

“I had new perspectives regarding how to make my organization more inclusive and able to promote the participation of these social groups which are underrepresented (women, racialized people, migrants). Also, I gained a new way to approach campaigns and speeches regarding the values which determine the recipient of the messages’ opinions.”

“It was very rewarding and helped foster a great sense of community over the days!”

“I go back home more reassured than ever that European Greens are, first of all, very useful for Green Activists since it provides incredibly useful knowledge, skills and connections. And, secondly, that European Greens are extremely important to produce a meaningful change in Europe thanks to the values we share.”

Recordings & relevant resources 

Did you miss #EGA2024? Watch our recorded livestreaming sessions of our keynotes and plenaries here and the after movie here or find them right below!

 

View #EGA2024 in photos here!

This event was organised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

Dec 19 2023
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European Green Academy 2023: Democracy and Security Must go Hand in Hand

By European Green Academy

About EGA

The European Green Academy (EGA) is an annual event and key meeting point for Green actors and engaged citizens from across Europe to connect, debate and build capacities in an inspiring learning environment. With a strong focus on political education and tailored methodologies, EGA provides a space for learning and experimentation for green-minded people to gain inspiration and insights to build and experience a common Green vision for Europe.  

 

Key Takeaways

On 17-18 November 2023, the European Green Academy reopened its doors for the second time in Warsaw. GEF, together with Heinrich Böll Stiftung Warsaw, Fundacja Strefa Zieleni and Ostra Zielen, welcomed over 240 diverse green actors, activists, politicians, and academics from 28 countries across Europe to connect, discuss, explore salient green issues and build bridges between national and European-level debates.   

In a polycrisis context and looking ahead to 2024 as a pivotal year for Europe, the Academy focused on three key themes: Democratic Resilience, Peace & Security, and the Social Dimension of the Green Deal.   

On this occasion, the European Green Academy held a larger range of formats, including workshops, training, plenary debates, and networking activities aiming to equip participants with knowledge and skills on key themes and make new connections to further their involvement in the green movement. Over two days, the Academy offered nearly 20 different sessions on pressing topics such as green visions on peace and security, migration policies and practice, doughnut economy, peacebuilding, digital mobilisation and the gender dimension of the energy transition.  

EGA was designed for participants to gain inspiration and insights to fight for a better and greener future, but beyond the political and social debates, the academy was a thought-provoking platform for collaboration, learning, and exchange.  

 

 

 

Quotes from participants at EGA 2022 

“I came back home with my heart full of hope. Seeing so many young people active to make a change was very inspiring”

“Lots of people from all around Europe together with similar values. Very important takes about peace, how to achieve it and how to maintain it”

“I enjoyed that the topic security and peace were center of attention even though I hadn’t thought much about this in forehand.”

“This was maybe the only conference I saw so many young women attended as speakers, you did a great job I think, thank you!”

 

 

 

 

 

Recordings & relevant resources 

Did you miss EGA 2022? Watch or relive some of the best moments of the event below:

 

 

 

This event was organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of the Fundacja Strefa Zieleni, Heinrich Böll Stiftung Warsaw and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

Sep 06 2022
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European Green Academy 2022: Bringing the Academy to Life

By European Green Academy

About

The European Green Academy (EGA) is an annual event and key meeting point for Green actors and engaged citizens from across Europe to connect, debate and build capacities in an inspiring learning environment. With a strong focus on political education and tailored methodologies, EGA provides a space for learning and experimentation for green-minded people to gain inspiration and insights to build and experience a common Green vision for Europe. 

Key Takeaways

EGA opened its doors for the first time in Warsaw, in July 2022. GEF, together with Fundacja Strefa Zieleni and Heinrich Böll Stiftung Warsaw, welcomed over 200 diverse green actors, activists, politicians, and academics from over 26 countries to connect, debate and build capacities, delving into salient issues in Poland and connecting them to wider European-level debates. 

Central themes of EGA 2022 were Just Transition and Peace & Security, serving to frame plenaries and exchanges throughout the Academy, accompanied by important streams of work on energy and feminism and LGBTIQA+ rights. The EGA 2022 programme offered a plethora of workshops, skills training, seminars, and roundtable debates for participants to deepen their knowledge on key topics, including doughnut economy; right to housing; debunking nuclear myths; food security; reproductive rights; ecofeminism, amongst others.  

 

Quotes from participants at EGA 2022 

“I gained a lot of new knowledge about diverse topics (nuclear and peace & security especially) and above all I was very inspired by the impact that people with green and progressive agendas are pushing for, even in countries where they have little electoral representation.” 

“My biggest takeaways were meeting people, networking, and exchanging political or work ideas”. 

“I found it inspiring and enriching to speak to women in Poland who are standing up for their rights and the rights of others despite all the struggles they face. I take them as role models”

“EGA 2022 made me much more comfortable with discussing and engaging with topics that were new to me.”

 

 

Recordings & relevant resources 

Did you miss EGA 2022? Watch or relive some of the best moments of the event below:

 

This event was organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of the Fundacja Strefa Zieleni, Heinrich Böll Stiftung Warsaw and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.