
New podcast episode
#30 Café Evropa - How to support Czech startups?
Just like other EU countries, the Czech Republic is experiencing a technological brain drain. The startup support system, both at the Czech and EU levels, is significantly weaker compared to competing environments. Strengthening European competitiveness is therefore a priority for the EU executive.
So what is the vision for Czech and European startups? In the latest episode of the Café Evropa podcast, Martin Jiránek, founder and chairman of the Czech Startup Association, discusses this topic. What steps should the Czech government and the European Union take to improve the situation? Where are the main obstacles? Is it possible to reverse the trends mentioned above?
Live Podcast Recording – How Is Europe Doing 80 Years After the End of World War II?
World War II was a pivotal event in the development of Europe and its current form. But are we still aware of its impact today? How does the younger generation perceive a conflict that will mark 80 years since its end this year? And is it still necessary to remember it? Join us for a live recording of the Café Evropa podcast and take part in the discussion with our guests. The Café Evropa podcast recording will last approximately 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A and open discussion with the guests. We look forward to seeing you there!
EuroLens Journal #1: Europe’s Security at Stake
And it's out! EUROPEUM’s journal EuroLens, which will be published biannualy from now on, is our new magazine full of interviews with experts, commentaries, and articles on both political and non-political topics. You will also find an overview of planned events, conferences, and of course much more. We hope it will be an interesting and inspiring source of information and helpful in your work!
About the EUROPEUM Institute
EUROPEUM is an independent think-tank focused on the European integration process. We conduct original research and organise public activities. We also formulate new ideas and recommendations to improve domestic and European policy.
Events
We organize regular seminars, debates, conferences, workshops and round tables focused on current European topics.
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Projects
Our long-term projects help to raise awareness of the European Union and strengthen international cooperation.
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Articles
Our research team publishes articles responding to topics related to European integration and more.
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Events
We organize regular seminars, debates, conferences, workshops and round tables focused on current European topics.
More information
Projects
Our long-term projects help to raise awareness of the European Union and strengthen international cooperation.
More information
Articles
Our research team publishes articles responding to topics related to European integration and more.
More information
Upcoming events
Past events

12. May 2025
We would like to invite you to the next in a series of debates that provide an up-to-date perspective on key topics discussed in the plenary sessions of the European Parliament. The aim of the debates is to offer a clear overview of the decisions taken and their wider impact on the European Union and the Czech Republic. Each debate will provide a space for reflection on major legislative and political steps taken by the European Parliament, direct discussion with MEPs and experts, and an open dialogue with the professional and general public.

9. May 2025
Public podcast - How is Europe 80 years on from the end of World War II?
The Second World War was a fundamental event in the development of Europe and its current shape. But are we still aware of this today? How does the younger generation feel about the conflict, which is 80 years away this year? And do we still need to remember it?

30. April 2025
Report | Reconstruction of Ukraine and support for its membership in the EU and NATO
The round table discussion focused on current issues of Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and its position in the European and security framework. The expert panellists debated the possibilities of providing credible security guarantees to Ukraine, the role of NATO and the EU in ensuring its long-term stability, and the challenges of its future EU membership.The discussion […]

24. April 2025
European Thursdays in the Scout Institute
Come join our Scout Community on the last Thursday of the month for an open discussion following Monika Ladman's presentation on “The current crisis is an opportunity to strengthen Europe”. Monika Ladmanová is the Head of the European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic and has also worked for the Czech Helsinki Committee and the Open Society Fund. She worked with European Commissioner Věra Jourová on the Directive on reconciliation of private and professional life of people caring for a close person.

16. April 2025
Seminar on opportunities and jobs within the EU institutions
Considering a traineeship in the European Union institutions? Come to a practical seminar where you will learn what types of internships are offered by the European Commission, the Council of the EU, the European Parliament and individual MEPs, how to apply and what the preparation involves.

7. April 2025
What's new in the European Parliament? Reflection on the plenary session
We would like to invite you to the next in a series of debates that provide an up-to-date perspective on key topics discussed in the plenary sessions of the European Parliament. The aim of the debates is to offer a clear overview of the decisions taken and their wider impact on the European Union and the Czech Republic. Each debate will provide a space for reflection on major legislative and political steps taken by the European Parliament, direct discussion with MEPs and experts, and an open dialogue with the professional and general public.

20. March 2025
Café Evropa debate: What changes with the climate?
DATE AND PLACE: Thursday, March 20, 5:00 pm, Březnice Municipal Library (V Koleji 1, Březnice) GUESTS: Moderator: Veronika Rajmanová The discussion will be an opportunity for an interesting debate. We look forward to hearing your views! The event is organised in cooperation with the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic. For more […]
In the Media
Projects
Publications

5. May 2025
Česká televize | Germany is changing course: New Chancellor promises a more assertive role in Europe
Germany has a new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who promises a more active and decisive role for his country on the European stage. While his predecessor Olaf Scholz was often criticised for his hesitant approach, Merz wants to end this era and strengthen German influence in key European negotiations, which diplomats say have long been hampered by Berlin's indecision. Martin Vokálek, executive director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Czech Television.

2. May 2025
STVR | Turning point in German politics: the AfD labelled a threat to constitutional order
The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has designated the political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a right-wing extremist entity. The office says it has direct evidence that the activities of the anti-immigration party pose a threat to the democratic order in the country. In addition, the investigation has revealed repeated racist statements by party leaders. EUROPEUM analyst Tereza Novotná commented on the situation for Slovak Radio.

1. May 2025
Odpadové Fórum | Car Wreck Recycling at a Crossroads: An Opportunity for Industry or Another Excuse for Inaction?
The European automotive industry is facing a major turning point. The new EU regulation on end-of-life vehicles (ELVR) has the potential to set clear rules for circular vehicle design, high-quality car wreck processing, and mandatory targets for the share of recycled materials. The current system, in which most materials end up devalued, is to be replaced by a truly closed recycling loop. ELVR could be a game changer — leveling the playing field, connecting manufacturers with processors, and making recycling a full-fledged part of a modern industrial strategy.
An article by EUROPEUM Institute analyst Filip Krenek, dedicated to the issue of end-of-life vehicle management, was published in the May edition of the professional magazine Odpadové fórum. The text was created in cooperation with the Institute for Circular Economy (INCIEN).

30. April 2025
STVR | Suspicious controls in the USA
The European Union is questioning whether the United States is still a reliable partner. Member states are concerned about possible espionage from Washington. Additional border checks in the U.S. have raised alarm. This could further strain mutual relations, which have worsened since Donald Trump returned to the White House. The situation was commented on for STVR by Danielle Piatkiewicz, a researcher at the EUROPEUM think tank.

30. April 2025
Reportér | Success in Brussels, silence at home. Czech politicians fail to sell Europe to voters
Czech involvement in the European Union has long been ambivalent. The country has had a number of concrete successes, but these have gone largely unnoticed by the domestic public, which has traditionally been sceptical of European integration. The ANO movement entered politics with a pro-European stance, and Andrej Babiš managed to negotiate a number of advantages in the EU, but today his party ranks more among the critics. This ambivalent attitude is likely to persist after the upcoming autumn elections. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, writes for Reporter.

28. April 2025
Ekonomický deník | You can't enter Europe without insurance. EU tightens shipping rules
The European Commission is tightening the rules for shipping - all vessels in European waters will now have to be insured and share information. Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the measures for Ekonomický deník.

1. June 2026
JustGreen
JustGreen project aims to engage the V4 citizens in debates and other forms of public engagement around decarbonization in three areas that are intimately linked to their everyday lives: housing, transport, and the job market. The public engagement activities, along with the ancillary research, shall pinpoint specific obstacles citizens and communities encounter when implementing climate-friendly steps or adapting to the EU decarbonization policies.

31. December 2025
Assisting Independent Media and CSOs in Enhancing the Access to Reliable Information on the European Union and EU Enlargement on Social Media in Armenia
The aim of the project is to provide access to reliable information about the European Union and its enlargement process in the Armenian social media environment.

31. December 2025
Celebrating 25 Years of Czech Republic’s NATO Accession
This project aims to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s NATO accession, which occurred on March 12, 1999. Anchored in the historic context of NATO’s formation on April 4, 1949, the primary goals of the campaign are to celebrate this significant milestone, effectively communicate the tangible benefits of Czech NATO membership to the public and cultivate a deeper understanding of NATO and U.S.’s pivotal role in safeguarding the nations and Central and Eastern European security. Additionally, the project’s goal is to underscore the strength and benefits of the U.S.-Czech partnership.

2. December 2025
Low-emission materials for the Czech automotive industry
The Low Emission Materials for the Czech Automotive Industry project is the fifth EUROPEUM project aimed at decarbonising the Czech automotive industry. The aim of the project for 2024/2025 is to improve understanding of material flows and regulatory barriers in the automotive sector; to transfer best practices from the international context to the Czech environment; and to identify key areas of Czech and European policies that need to be improved to enable the automotive industry to meet the challenges of decarbonisation and remain competitive.

31. October 2025
Platform Revolution: shaping the future of work in the EU and Western Balkans
The Project centres around the fast development of platform work in the Western Balkans and the EU. This new phenomenon has witnessed fast growth since the pandemic, particularly with digital platforms like “Upwork”.

31. October 2025
REWEU
The project (Re)uniting the East and West: Reflections on the 2004 EU enlargement (REWEU) is focused on the commemoration of the 2004 “big bang” EU enlargement at the occasion of its 20th anniversary in May 2024. This event had numerous positive effects on shaping Europe as we know it today, boosting its security, economic potential, and spreading democracy, good governance and European values across the European continent.

8. April 2025
Policy Brief | The EU’s Tech Dilemma Under Trump: How to Set Higher Ambitions That Europe Can Actually Achieve - 10 Recommendations for a Targeted European Tech Strategy
In a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, the European Union faces new challenges in its tech policy, especially under a second Trump administration. The EU’s Tech Dilemma Under Trump: How to Set Higher Ambitions That Europe Can Actually Achieve outlines ten targeted recommendations to help the EU build a realistic and effective tech strategy. The policy brief stresses the urgency of reducing Europe's technological dependencies, prioritizing critical areas, fostering tech adoption to boost productivity, and ensuring open, competitive digital markets. Drawing on insights from leading European think tanks, the paper calls for an ambitious yet achievable mission-based approach to safeguard European democracy, sovereignty, and competitiveness.

31. March 2025
Policy Brief | How to Prevent Transport Poverty Using the Social Climate Fund: Recommendations for Policymakers in the Czech Republic
Our latest policy brief is aimed at policy makers, government representatives and experts who influence the development of climate policy in the Czech Republic. The text, written by Rebeka Hengalová, Research Fellow, and Jana Abíková, Head of the Green Europe Programme, maps the transport needs of the most vulnerable groups in the Czech Republic and provides arguments for the timely and full adoption of ETS2 and the appropriate allocation of the SCF to minimise transport poverty. The brief assesses possible solutions and discussed measures that could be funded by the national Social Climate Plan to reduce the impact of ETS2 on low-income households.

31. March 2025
Policy paper | Tackling Transport Poverty in the Czech Republic
While transport poverty does not affect the majority of the population, available data shows that it impacts a significant and growing portion of Czech society, making it a serious issue that cannot be overlooked or expected to resolve itself over time. This policy paper by research fellow Rebeka Hengalová and head of Green Europe programme Jana Abíková details the experiences of transport-poor citizens, outlines good practice of measures from abroad and explains the potential utilisation of the Social Climate Fund in alleviating transport poverty.

31. March 2025
Background paper | Mapping Platfrom Work in Czechia
This background paper, written by EUROPEUM Institute researcher Silke Maes as part of the Platform Revolution project, provides an overview of the evolving landscape of platform work in Czechia. It explores the rapid growth of digital labor platforms since the arrival of Uber in 2014, mapping the types, prevalence, and demographic characteristics of platform workers across the country. Drawing on recent survey data, the paper highlights both the opportunities and challenges posed by platform work—including flexibility, supplementary income, and the risks of precarious employment and regulatory gaps. The paper also examines the current legal and policy framework in Czechia, the discussions around the EU Platform Work Directive, and ongoing debates around worker classification, tax compliance, and social protection.

31. March 2025
Background papers | Mapping Platform Work
These background papers, produced by EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy as part of the Platform Revolution project, provide an in-depth analysis of the evolving landscape of platform work in North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, Montenegro, Hungary, Albania and Slovakia. They explore the rapid growth of digital labor platforms, mapping the types, prevalence, and demographic characteristics of platform workers across the countries.

28. March 2025
Background paper | The Czech Republic and the priorities of the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034
The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is the EU's key instrument for determining the expenditure and revenue components of the common European budget. The negotiations on the long-term budget are among the most important and lengthy at European level. It decides on overall spending in traditional areas such as agriculture and cohesion, but also on new priorities such as defence and competitiveness. The European Commission is expected to present its proposal for the 2028-2034 financial framework by mid-2025, but informal discussions on the shape of the proposal are already taking place at both working and political level - the new European Commissioner for Budgets is now touring Member States and the Commission has launched a public consultation on the subject.
The Commission has already presented the broad outlines of the next MFF, including a greater focus on efficiency, added value and simplification. It has also stressed the need for more flexibility to make the budget more responsive to crises. The number of (old) new priorities, including defence, climate and competitiveness, also raises the question of the size of the next European budget and new own resources. The current debate on the Czech priorities for the next MFF is therefore more than appropriate and the Czech Republic should actively enter into negotiations at the European level.
The background paper for the round table of the National Convention on the EU was prepared by Josef Bič (FSV VŠE) and Filip Křenek (EUROPEUM).
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