As the EU works to adapt to the tumultuous international situation, discussions around competitiveness, security, sustainability, strategic autonomy and other pressing policy challenges are only becoming more urgent.
And that’s where CEPS’ flagship Ideas Lab comes in. For its 13th edition from 2-3 March 2026, we once again brought together hundreds of speakers and participants from across Europe (and beyond) to debate these challenges and work towards solutions that could help light the path ahead. With overall attendance going far beyond past editions, we welcomed almost 900 representatives from international institutions, policymakers, academia, industry and civil society.
Still proudly the largest annual forum on EU policymaking, this year featured six plenaries (including a hastily assembled one on the new conflict in the Middle East, the impact of tariffs on global trade, the US intervention in Venezuela, and what these developments means for the EU and transatlantic relations) and over 20 smaller, more intimate lab sessions, covering a plethora of policy areas.
This report provides a summary of each plenary and a thematic roundup of all the key themes discussed throughout the lab sessions. And, with CEPS’ motto to ‘think ahead for Europe’ in mind, we very much look forward to seeing you in 2027.
