European Student Assembly 2026 - 5th edition | European Universities Community

The European Student Assembly (ESA) is the flagship initiative of the EUC Voices Erasmus+ project, designed to bring together approximately 250 students from across Europe each year. This dynamic event provides a unique platform for selected European students to delve into essential issues facing the European Union, sparking impactful discussions and fostering intercultural exchange. In 2026, the event will take place from the 20th to the 22nd of April.

Students interested in participating have the opportunity to apply either as participants or coordinators, contributing to one of the Assembly’s discussion panels. The selection process is conducted collaboratively by EUC Voices partners and the European University Alliances, ensuring a transparent and inclusive approach. Selection criteria prioritize students with a passion for European politics, culture, and society, along with a motivation to engage in meaningful dialogue, share their perspectives, and positively impact their communities.

Panel coordinators, who play a central role in facilitating these discussions, are chosen not only for their interest and expertise but also for their experience as leaders in similar initiatives. These coordinators guide conversations that challenge perspectives and inspire new insights into Europe’s most pressing challenges.

Applications for the 5th European Student Assembly - ESA 2026 are now closed.

➡️ Click here to find out if your university is part of the 65 Alliances

➡️ Click here to download the handbook of ESA 2026 to learn all the information about ESA

Here are the panels for ESA 2026:

Panel 1—Strengthening democracy, engaging citizens: How can the EU bridge the gap between its institutions and its citizens to build trust and foster civic participation?

Panel 2—Scaling the circular economy: How can the EU overcome uneven progress and encourage change across sectors and societies?

Panel 3—Aligning budget with impact: How can the Union’s funding rebalance and adapt to the social changes?

Panel 4—Europe moving together: How can the EU develop an inclusive public transport system?

Panel 5—Unlocking digital potential: How can the EU empower inclusive digital literacy and cybersecurity and build resilience?

Panel 6—Educating without borders: How can the EU support universities in fostering interdisciplinarity?

Panel 7—Enabling generational solidarity: How can the EU address demographic change and promote meaningful participation for older generations in society?

Panel 8—Europe’s strategic autonomy: How can the EU reconcile strategic autonomy with its core values in the field of trade agreements?

For any questions, please contact esa@eucvoices.eu

Download here ESA2026 application FAQ

A GREAT CONTRIBUTION

This year’s edition was made possible also thanks to the invaluable support of the following students, former ESA participants, who contributed through dedicated working groups. Collaborating closely with some partner representatives, they helped develop outreach materials and content aimed at strengthening the project's overall dissemination and visibility:

Students supporting WP2 (name and surname, university alliance, university):

Adrian Klonowski, UNITE!, Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Chiara Nasonte, ARQUS, Università degli Studi di Padova
Corinna von Piechowski, EPICUR, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Franziska Bernadette Eggemeier, NeurotechEU, University of Bonn
Jihan Agualimpia Ramirez, E³UDRES², Politehnica University Timisoara
Jolie Albrecht, EUPeace, University of Giessen
Maciej Kisielewicz, UNITE!, Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Maria Kalaridi, EUniWell, Linnéuniversitetet
Narayana Manikanta Sunnit Satya Sai, Gattupalli Eswar, BAUHAUS4EU, Bauhaus Universität Weimar
Quentin Leroi, ECIU, INSA Toulouse
Sara Sagdati, CHARM-EU, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)
Sarah Fuhrich, EPICUR, University of Freiburg
Sophia Marinov, EC2U, Johannes Kepler University Linz
Sumedh Jitendra Sonavane, EURECA PRO, Hochschule Mittweida University of Applied Sciences

Students supporting WP5 (name and surname, university alliance, university):

Beatriz Machado Pernía, EUGLOH, University of Alcalá
Charles Chavarry Hidalgo, EULiST, Leibniz University Hannover
Chiara De Piccoli, UNITA, University of Turin
Corinna von Piechowski, EPICUR, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Eva María Durán Campón, EUPeace, Comillas Pontifical University
Jihan Agualimpia Ramirez, E³UDRES², Politehnica University of Timisoara
Josué Loyola CHARM-EU Julius-Maximilians Universität Würzburg
Kenza Yassaa, ENGAGE.EU, Toulouse Capitole University
Marija Bočiarovaitė, ARQUS, Vilnius University
Mario Fuentes, EU GREEN, University of Extremadura
Nora Sesselmann, ENGAGE.EU, Vienna University of Economics and Business
Quentin Leroi, ECIU, INSA Toulouse
Samanta Slana, EU-CONEXUS, University of Zadar
Satya Sai Gattupalli Eswar, BAUHAUS4EU, Bauhaus Universität Weimar
Sophia Marinov, EC2U, Johannes Kepler University
Sumedh Sonavane, EURECA PRO, Hochschule Mittweida University of Applied Sciences
Tatiana Vetešková, RUN-EU, Häme University of Applied Sciences
Tom Gormanns, UREKA SHIFT, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences