12. January 2026
What awaits us in 2026?
The year 2026 will bring new challenges for the European Union. Join us on 12 January 2026 to discuss them at a debate from the series ‘What’s New in the European Parliament?’.
Internship opportunity from March 2026
Would you like to be involved in the running of the Prague office of a leading Czech think tank or in its communication activities right in the heart of Prague? We are looking for proactive and creative university students, ideally with a focus on international relations or European studies. The internship duration is from March 2026 to September 2026.
Applications are open until February 15th 2026.
New podcast episode
#39 Europe, my homeland
Just under a third of Czechs would defend their country in the event of an armed conflict. Is that a little or a lot? And are Czechs proud of their country even 36 years after the Velvet Revolution? And what should we do to feel at home in Europe? We asked these and other questions on 17 November to sociologist Paulína Tabery, investor, member of the active reserve and co-founder of Skupina D, Jan Veverka, and security analyst at the Institute of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Vojtěch Bahenský.
EuroLens Journal #2: The Price of Inaction
And here it is – the second edition of our EuroLens journal! Building on the success of the first issue, this new edition once again offers interviews with experts, commentaries, and articles on both political and non-political topics. You will also find an overview of upcoming events, conferences, and much more.
We hope it will serve as an interesting and inspiring source of information and support your work.
New podcast episode
Jan Lukačevič: How to handle crisis situations?
Do you know how to cope with a long blackout? What should never be missing from your emergency bag? Or where to find the nearest shelter if an alert is issued?
You can learn how to prepare for crisis situations in the new guide from the Ministry of the Interior titled “72 Hours.” In the latest episode of the Café Evropa podcast, we bring you an interview with its co-author, space engineer and science communicator Jan Lukačevič.
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.
More info
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
1. December 2025
Ambition vs. Reality: What Will the EU’s 2040 Climate Targets Bring?
Join us on 1 December for a debate from the series “What’s New in the European Parliament?”, where this time we will focus on the EU’s 2040 climate targets.
1. December 2025
EU Enlargement Forum 2025
We warmly invite you to Monday’s programme of the Enlargement Forum conference, featuring a series of discussions on the lessons of past EU enlargements, the role of women in accession processes, and the importance of reconciliation in European integration.
27. November 2025
European Thursday over a Beer
Come join us on 27 November at Pauwel Kwak Bierhuis for an informal discussion on foreign policy as well as current European and security issues with Tomáš Pojar and Viktor Daněk. You can look forward to an open debate, a friendly atmosphere, and—on top of that—two Belgian beers and light refreshments on the house.
25. November 2025
New EU Priorities: What Does the Proposed Budgetary Framework Reveal?
We invite you to a debate in Plzeň on what the EU’s new budget proposal reveals about the Union’s future priorities and the role the Czech Republic may play in them.
25. November 2025
Cinema Europa: Drenched in Oil | Screening with Discussion
We cordially invite you to the screening of the film Drenched in Oil (2022), which will be followed by a discussion with our guests.
In the Media
Projects
Publications
19. January 2026
Deník N | Fico spent less than an hour with Trump. The photos show how the visit unfolded.
Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago did not yield any official results, yet Fico presented it at home as a significant diplomatic success. Analyst Martin Vokálek comments on the meeting, considering Fico's foreign policy unreasonable and claiming that "Slovakia risks being torn apart in all four directions."
19. January 2026
Teraz.sk | Analyst: EU should respond with unity and reject Trump's pressure
Martin Vokálek, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, points out that the European Union should respond unanimously to Donald Trump's statements regarding possible pressure on Denmark in connection with Greenland. He believes that the EU should confirm its common position at the upcoming summit and send a signal that it rejects the use of economic threats as a tool of political pressure. At the same time, he emphasizes that the Union should prioritize dialogue but be prepared to use legal instruments to protect its interests if pressure is actually exerted.
12. January 2026
The Chinese electric vehicle bubble is bursting. Will fake used cars flood the European market?
The Chinese electric vehicle market is slowing down as government support is gradually being reduced and domestic demand weakens. Chinese manufacturers are increasingly seeking to export their vehicles abroad, including to Europe, which may influence future EV prices and intensify competition for European carmakers. However, analysts stress that this does not indicate a collapse of the Chinese market, but rather a consolidation in which only the strongest players will survive, giving Europe time to adapt its electric mobility strategy. The article was commented on by Filip Křenek, analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.
2. January 2026
“The situation is not catastrophic.” The top ten geopolitical risks and opportunities for Ukraine in 2026. Spoiler: Ukraine itself generates some of the risks.
The prospects for ending the war in Ukraine in 2026 remain uncertain, shaped by global geopolitical dynamics from Washington to Beijing. While risks include wavering U.S. commitment, European political fragmentation, and growing Russia–China cooperation, Ukraine also faces important opportunities, particularly through deeper integration with the European Union and a stronger role in Europe’s security architecture. Commented by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.
29. December 2025
Despite the challenges, the Czech automotive industry is doing well. What awaits it next year?
Despite high energy prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and growing international competition, the Czech automotive industry remains in relatively strong shape. Production levels in 2025 remain high, with Czechia recording one of the strongest year-on-year growth rates in Europe. The sector’s resilience is driven by its flexibility, high factory utilization, and growing success on European markets, particularly in electric vehicles. The article was commented on by Filip Křenek, analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.
18. December 2025
“Wary Brussels: Babiš’s solution to the conflict of interest may not be enough.”
Although Andrej Babiš claims to have resolved his conflict of interest by transferring Agrofert into a trust structure, Brussels remains cautious. The European Commission has so far refrained from issuing a clear position, waiting to see whether the proposed solution genuinely addresses the legal and political risks related to the use of EU funds. Commented by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.
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. March 2026
Czech position towards e-mobility, ETS2 and SCF in 2025+
This project continues to monitor and assess the implementation of ETS2 and the allocation of SCF funds to ensure that resources are used effectively and equitably. At the same time, it provides an in-depth analysis of transport availability, accessibility, and affordability, while exploring sustainable mobility trends, innovations, and policy pathways that can strengthen long-term resilience.
31. March 2026
25 and Counting – The Voices of Visegrad
Res Publica Foundation, together with its partners from the Visegrád Group, has launched a unique project entitled Voices of the Visegrád Four, which features short videos and explanatory texts. The main objective is to provide media coverage of key issues relevant to the Visegrád region, raise awareness, and ensure better access to information.
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.
5. February 2026
Report | Revision of Price Safeguards in the ETS2 System
This briefing document maps the current state of negotiations regarding changes to the ETS2 emission allowance system proposed by the European Commission. The text is based on an expert roundtable discussion held on January 16, 2026. The discussion was attended by representatives of the European Parliament and the Commission, experts from Czech ministries, employer associations, companies, and regional organizations, as well as specialists from the non-profit sector, research institutes, and academia. The primary objective of this material is to bring necessary expert depth to the debate on the future form of ETS2 and to help the public and key stakeholders better navigate this complex topic, which will fundamentally affect not only household budgets but also key economic sectors. The authors of the text are our research fellow Rebeka Hengalová, analyst Kateřina Kolouch Grabovská (Fakta o klimatu), and researcher Tomáš Protivínský (IDEA at CERGE-EI).
31. December 2025
Policy Paper | From REARMing to SAFEty: Defence Capability Development Trends of the V4
As the European Union has significantly stepped up its political, institutional, and financial support for strengthening defence capabilities across the Union in recent years, the paper examines how the V4 countries rely on the levers of the “Europeanisation” of defence—particularly through European funds and frameworks for defence industry development. This aspect gains particular importance in early 2025, when the European Commission will assess national programmes submitted under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative for joint loan financing and decide on the allocation of funding for joint production, research, and development projects across European and partner defence industries, writes Tamás Csiki Varga in his policy paper.
27. December 2025
Policy paper | After USAID: What Does Czech Experience Show about Europe’s Ukraine A
Europe is closing out 2025 in the same strategic debate that defined its beginning, albeit now under conditions of significantly heightened uncertainty and tension. The continent is striving to define its own strategic autonomy while simultaneously seeking a response to the diplomatic “blitzkrieg” coming from Washington, even as decisions are still being made on the terms of a just peace in Ukraine and on the future security architecture of the wider European space. Rather than actively shaping its own framework for the post-war order, however, the European Union is increasingly confined to a reactive role, write Eva Rybková and Maria Gorbatova.
20. December 2025
Policy Paper | 2025: New Frontrunners and Laggers in the EU Enlargement Process
The 2025 Enlargement Package highlights a clear distinction that has emerged in recent years between countries advancing on their EU accession paths through the adoption and implementation of reforms and those falling behind for various reasons. For a long time, the EU has applied a regional approach to the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe (the “Associated Trio”). It has now become evident that a more nuanced approach is necessary, as disparities are growing both among countries and within the two enlargement regions, writes Jana Faktor Juzová.
18. December 2025
Policy Paper | "Smartphones on Wheels": Connected Cars and the EU’s Cybersecurity
The increasing presence of Chinese connected vehicles on the European market has heightened concerns about cybersecurity risks, particularly regarding their potential use for surveillance, espionage, and cyber operations. Discussions on this issue frequently draw on regulatory approaches and risk assessments developed elsewhere, most notably in the United States. Yet China itself has established one of the most comprehensive regulatory and technical standardisation frameworks for connected vehicles worldwide, writes Paulina Uznaska.
18. December 2025
Blog | Affected by the Grey Digital Divide: How Digital Exclusion Prevents Older People from Accessing eHealth in Czechia
In this blog post, EUROPEUM intern Emma Šílová examines how digital exclusion continues to limit older people’s access to eHealth services in Czechia. Drawing on national data, EU and national strategies, and recent reforms in healthcare digitalisation, the article explores the barriers faced by older adults when accessing eHealth services, assesses Czechia’s performance in eHealth inclusion, and outlines policy recommendations to ensure that the digital transition in healthcare does not leave seniors behind.
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EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy
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