EFA Update from the President

Ever since we presented this year's EFA annual theme, "How Europe Wins", at our last General Assembly in December, hardly a day has gone by without this topic being discussed in the media and debated across politics, business, and civil society.

With our annual theme, we hold a tool in our hands to actively help shape the debate about the future of our continent and to pave the way for solutions and concrete actions with well-founded answers. I would like to sincerely thank you for your contribution to this effort again this year!

The European Union's steps of development and integration have often been driven by crises and challenges from within and beyond its borders. There is certainly no shortage of those at present. If we draw the right conclusions and take the appropriate actions, the much-invoked "birth of a new Europe" in these days can indeed become a reality.

The latest Eurobarometer survey shows that major progress is not only possible now, but is also urgently expected by the people. The ideas, plans, and initiatives that we have been advancing together at the EFA for decades are gaining increasing support - especially among young Europeans:

Around 90% wish for a Union that is more united and speaks with a stronger voice. More than 70% of those under 30 are convinced that EU membership "is a good thing".

It is a strong signal that the next generation has been one of the central pillars of the EFA for over 80 years. In recent days, we have launched the call for applications for this year's scholarship programme. I already look forward to many of you finding the time to actively participate in the selection of applicants.

I am also particularly pleased to share with you our latest video, in which former participants invite others to apply by sharing their experiences. For me, the reflections and account of these young individuals capture precisely why the EFA remains unique and indispensable even in its ninth decade.

In order for the EFA to continue fulfilling this role, we too - just like Europe - must constantly renew ourselves. With the resolutions of the latest General Assembly and the amendments to the association's statutes, important course-setting decisions have been made.

As announced, the Assosciation's Executive Board has subsequently made the necessary adjustments to the foundation deed. In the interest of maximum transparency, you can access the full document here.

Furthermore, the Foundation Board - consisting of the Managing Directors and myself - has been appointed, and the Foundation Advisory Board has been constituted. It includes all members of the Association's Executive Board.

The working group established at the General Assembly as part of the reforms has also begun its work and will, as agreed, present initial reports at the next General Assembly.

Together, we are now in the process of further specifying the EFA programme in Alpbach, closing the 2025 financial year in an orderly manner, and preparing a sustainable budget for both the Association and the Foundation for 2026. These points will, of course, also be addressed at the next General Assembly in spring.

Finally, I would like to draw your attention to our ongoing substantive work within the framework of EFA365. Upcoming events can be found on the EFA website. I am very pleased to see how many partners we are already collaborating with in the first quarter under the theme "How Europe Wins." For the first time, this also includes an event with the renowned Delphi Economic Forum in Greece.

I hope this newsletter helps to keep you, as members of the European Forum Alpbach, better informed about current developments within both the Association and the Foundation, and to involve you more closely in our joint efforts. I will take the liberty of reaching out to you in this format on a regular basis. Europe can only win if we remain in dialogue, stand together, and work together.

I therefore very much look forward to your feedback, thoughts, and suggestions at othmar.karas@alpbach.org.

Kind regards,

Yours,

Othmar Karas, EFA president