80 Years of Driving Change for Europe

Since the summer of 1945, the European Forum Alpbach has stood for a belief in a peaceful, open and forward-looking Europe. Founded during a time of upheaval and reorientation following the end of the Second World War, Alpbach became a place where students, academics, artists, thinkers and visionaries came together to ask one central question: What kind of Europe do we want?

Amid political uncertainty and social disruption, a forum emerged that has gone on to inspire countless individuals. It became a space for critical thinking, dialogue across borders, and the collective drafting of a better future. What began as an intellectual response to totalitarianism and violence has, over the course of eight decades, evolved into a place of change and cooperation.

80 years of EFA is therefore not merely a celebration, but also a new departure. Europe is once again facing profound challenges. Technological transformation, geopolitical tensions, the climate crisis and growing societal polarisation are placing the foundations of our shared life under strain. This makes it all the more important to sustain and strengthen the European dialogue – across generations, disciplines and national borders.

Now more than ever, we need spaces for constructive exchange, courageous ideas and a strong commitment to working together. The anniversary is both a moment of reflection and a call to all generations to take an active role in shaping Europe's future.

Showcasing Our Impact

To mark our 80th anniversary, we launched a series of projects that celebrate the spirit of Alpbach – highlighting the people who shaped the Forum, the impact it has had over the decades, and gathering bold new ideas for Europe's future through an open call. Explore the stories, the voices, and the visions that continue to define Alpbach.

80 Ideas for Europe

In times of profound transformation, we set out to gather 80 ideas that could help shape an ambitious and forward-looking vision for Europe. From a wide range of submissions, twelve outstanding finalists have been selected and will have the unique opportunity to present their ideas live on one of the EFA25 stages.

These four winning ideas, selected by the audience, will be connected with high-level and relevant decision-makers, creating the opportunity to further develop and implement their concepts.

Explore all 80 submissions and meet our 12 finalists here.

80 People of Alpbach

Over the past eight decades, the European Forum Alpbach has brought together countless thinkers, decision-makers, and changemakers. Many of them now play active roles in shaping politics, business, science, and civil society. The People of Alpbach project highlights this lasting impact: 80 individuals – including many former scholarship holders – represent the thousands who have shaped the Forum and been shaped by it. This project is more than just a retrospective: it aims to inspire young talents to engage with Europe’s future and serves as an archive and illustrates how the forum has been embedded in Austrian and European history since World War II.

The selection process
The selection was based on open calls within the community, particularly through the alumni network FAN, and was enriched by archival research and oral histories. The goal was to ensure a diverse representation of both prominent and lesser-known individuals who have influenced the EFA. The result is a nuanced portrait of the Forum’s evolution – from its beginnings to the present day.

80 Years of Impact

To explore the legacy of the European Forum Alpbach, we spoke with key figures who have shaped its journey from the very beginning. We delved into archives, books, manuscripts, and images spanning eight decades. Along the way, we uncovered milestones that highlight the Forum’s ongoing contribution to European cooperation, democratic development, and intellectual exchange.

As part of this journey, we selected five projects that represent just a small sample of the countless of initiatives that have emerged from the EFA over the years. Each of them stands as a powerful example of the Forum’s lasting impact.

The Free State of Artopia
In 1979, artists André Heller, Gustav Peichl and Horst G. Haberl declared part of Alpbach a symbolic micro-nation with its own borders and parliament. This artistic intervention paved the way for Alpbach’s ongoing cultural programme, transforming the village into a space where art, politics, and society intersect in public, participatory dialogue.

Forum Alpbach Network (FAN)
Founded in 1997 by alumni, the FAN links over 30 clubs in 21 countries. These grassroots initiatives organise events throughout the year, spreading Alpbach’s spirit of critical thought, civic engagement, and European cooperation far beyond the Forum itself. Read more in the FAN-NIVERSARY Booklet!

The Mayors' Initiative on Migration
In 2015, over 100 mayors gathered in Alpbach to address the refugee crisis in a participatory process through shared experience and practical exchange. The result was a widely distributed handbook of best practices, and a network of support for humane, community-based integration across Austria, followed by further meetings among mayors.

Alpbach in Motion (AiM)
Since 2013, AiM has brought together up to 40 young professionals from across Europe for three days of peer learning, experimentation, and leadership development – nurturing a new generation of leaders ready to tackle complex challenges and shape Europe’s future.

10x100 Lab
Launched in 2022, the 10x100 Lab connects actors from climate, food, health, and urban policy to test system-wide solutions in cities like Mannheim. Its goal: build resilient, scalable practices for climate protection and cross-sector collaboration in metropolitan regions in Europe.

Anniversary Events at the EFA25

Stories from 80 Years of Change

Echoes of EFA: Personal Stories from 80 Years of Change, 17 August, 16:30 p.m., with Karin Duftner, Othmar Karas, Hanna Molden, Josef Mitterer, Ulrike Tanzer, Maria Wirth, Irene Zanol
From Legacy to Impact: 80 Years of Driving Change for Europe, 23 August, 15:30 p.m., with Andreas Treichl, Caroline Paulick-Thiel, Peter Kurz, Nona Shepphard
From Legacy to Impact: 80 Years of Driving Change for Europe, 27 August, 18:30 p.m., with Franz Fischler, Ferry Meier, Elisabeth Schack, Robert Prosser, Janet Kuschert

Bold Ideas to Recharge Europe

Join us in shaping the future of Europe! In this dynamic pitch session, help select the boldest, most promising ideas to chart a recharged future for Europe.

Track Security, 24 August, 18:30 p.m.
Track Finance & Economy, 25 August, 18:30 p.m.
Track Democracy & the Rule of Law, 27 August, 18:30 p.m.
Track Climate, 28 August, 18:30 p.m.

Forum Alpbach Network

Alpbacher Stammtisch International, 18 August, 18 - 19 p.m., Jakober
International Evening, 21 August, 20:15 p.m.
Celebrating the History of the Youth: the Forum Alpbach Network, 26 August, 10:45 p.m.
FANniversary Celebration, 26 August, 12:00 – 14:00 p.m., Volksschule, Pausenhof

Arts & Culture

Theatre: Kcħψ̇ånt: A Play About Alpbach, 16 August, 20 p.m.
Concert: Ernst Molden and Aliosha Biz, 16 August, 22 p.m.
Filmscreening: Brennpunkt Alpbach – Kleines Dorf mit großer Wirkung, with Hannes Kar, 23 August, 20 p.m.