From 20 to 22 April 2026, the European Parliament in Strasbourg once again became a vibrant hub of youth participation, dialogue, and democratic engagement as it hosted a new edition of the European Student Assembly (ESA). This year’s edition marked a significant growth in both reach and impact, reflecting the increasing relevance of the initiative within the European higher education and civic participation landscape.
ESA 2026 received an impressive 2,889 applications — nearly 500 more than the previous year — demonstrating the growing enthusiasm among students to engage directly with European democratic processes. From this highly competitive pool, 250 students were selected, representing an increase of 20 participants compared to ESA 2025.
These participants came from 196 universities, members of 54 European University Alliances, further expanding the Assembly’s academic and geographical diversity. Students represented 34 countries and 54 different nationalities, making ESA 2026 a truly international platform where perspectives from across Europe and beyond converged.
Over the course of three intense and inspiring days, these young changemakers came together with a shared purpose: to actively shape the future of Europe through collective reflection, debate, and policy-making. The diversity of experiences, academic disciplines, and cultural backgrounds present at ESA 2026 once again proved to be one of the Assembly’s greatest strengths — transforming Strasbourg into a space where ideas transcended borders and democratic participation became a lived experience. The Assembly concluded on the voting of 85 recommendations. 84 were adopted, while 1 was voted against.
Beyond ESA
Beyond the European Student Assembly, EUC Voices also develops other key initiatives that strengthen long-term student participation across European University Alliances. Among them, the European Universities Student Ambassadors’ Forum (EUSAF) serves as a dedicated platform where selected student ambassadors from participating alliances exchange perspectives, share experiences, and contribute recommendations on the present and future of higher education in Europe. Complementing this, the ESA and EUSAF Alumni Network ensures that participation extends far beyond individual events, creating a vibrant and growing community where former participants can stay connected, expand their networks, share expertise, mentor future generations, and continue contributing actively to European civic engagement initiatives.
Day 1: Building Connections, Setting the Vision
The first day of ESA 2026 opened with an atmosphere charged with excitement and anticipation. As participants arrived in Strasbourg, the energy of the Assembly quickly took shape through informal exchanges, first encounters, and a dynamic meet & greet session that blended music, conversations, and cultural diversity.
The official opening inside the Hemicycle of the European Parliament marked a powerful and symbolic beginning to ESA 2026. Participants were welcomed by Raluca Istoan and Moniek Dijkema, ESA26 WP co-leaders, alongside Constance Chevallier-Govers, EUC Voices coordinator. The opening session featured Philippe Gréciano, President of the Franco-German University (FGU), Members of the European Parliament Ciaran Mullooly, Bernd Lange, and Sirpa Pietikäinen, FOREU4ALL representatives G. Andriolo, F. Candelaresi, E. A. Flores, and G. R. Conte, as well as Gerald Hucky, Representative of the European Parliament. Day 1 also included a dedicated intervention by Antonin Charret, Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, on the role of students in EU dynamics, while the closing dissemination session on Day 3 featured Yann-Maël Bideau, Policy Officer at the European Commission, further reinforcing the institutional and strategic importance of youth participation. Together, these speakers highlighted the essential role of students, European University Alliances, and civic engagement in shaping Europe’s democratic future.
Following this institutional opening, the work began in earnest. The eight thematic panels were introduced through their respective problem statements, laying the foundation for the days ahead. Participants then moved into their first panel sessions, where initial discussions unfolded, perspectives were shared, and the first steps toward policy co-creation were taken.
The day concluded with a symbolic group photo — capturing the beginning of a shared journey — and an international dinner that celebrated the richness of cultures, stories, and identities present within the Assembly. This first day was not only about setting the agenda, but about building a community grounded in dialogue, respect, and common purpose.
Day 2: Deepening Dialogue, Shaping Proposals
If Day 1 was about connection and orientation, Day 2 was defined by intensity, collaboration, and intellectual momentum. Returning to the European Parliament, participants engaged in a full day of structured discussions, including interpanel debates and subsequent rounds of panel meetings.
These sessions allowed students to dive deeper into their respective topics, challenge assumptions, and refine their ideas. Through constructive debate and collective problem-solving, initial concepts began to evolve into more concrete and structured policy recommendations. The process was dynamic and at times demanding, reflecting the complexity of the issues at hand and the diversity of viewpoints involved.
As the day progressed, the focus gradually shifted toward preparation for the plenary session. Participants worked collaboratively to consolidate their proposals, align their arguments, and ensure clarity and coherence in their recommendations ahead of the final day.
Alongside these core activities, ESA 2026 also offered spaces for exchange and discovery beyond the panels. The Village of Alliances provided a vibrant setting where European University Alliances showcased their initiatives, fostering connections and highlighting the role of transnational cooperation in higher education. Parallel activities for alumni further enriched the experience, strengthening an ever-growing network of engaged and committed young Europeans.
Day 3: From Debate to Decision
The third and final day marked the culmination of the Assembly’s work — a moment where ideas were put to the test and transformed into tangible outcomes. Inside the Hemicycle, participants took part in the plenary session, presenting, defending, and voting on their policy recommendations.
Each panel brought forward its proposals, engaging in real-time discussion, amendments, and democratic deliberation. This process was not merely symbolic: it reflected a genuine exercise in participatory democracy, where each voice contributed to shaping the final outcomes.
The adopted recommendations represent the collective effort of days of discussion, negotiation, and co-creation. They will now enter the dissemination phase and be formally shared with Members of the European Parliament and other European institutions, contributing to ongoing policy conversations on key challenges facing Europe today.
A Collective Voice for the Future of Europe
ESA 2026 once again demonstrated the transformative potential of youth participation when it is meaningfully supported and structurally embedded within European processes. By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds and empowering them to engage with complex policy issues, the Assembly fosters not only knowledge and skills, but also a sense of ownership and responsibility toward the European project.
The eight thematic panels addressed crucial topics for the future of Europe, ranging from sustainability and digital transformation to social inclusion, democracy, and global engagement. Through their work, participants contributed to a broader reflection on how Europe can respond to contemporary challenges in an inclusive, innovative, and forward-looking way.
As the Assembly comes to a close, its impact continues beyond Strasbourg. The ideas developed, the connections built, and the recommendations produced will travel across institutions, networks, and communities — feeding into ongoing dialogues and inspiring further action.
Three days. Hundreds of voices. One shared vision.
ESA 2026 was not just a moment — it was a movement toward a more participatory, inclusive, and democratic Europe.
A Project Rooted in Participation: EUC Voices
The European Student Assembly is part of EUC Voices, an Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships project co-funded in 2023 by the European Commission.
The project brings together seven partner institutions from seven countries with the goal of strengthening youth engagement in the European decision-making process:
Université Grenoble Alpes (Unite! Alliance)
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (EUt+ Alliance)
Erasmus Students’ Network – ESN
Warsaw School of Economics (CIVICA Alliance)
Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (CHARM-EU Alliance)
Università di Torino (UNITA)
NHL Stenden (RUN-EU)
Associated partners: Université franco-allemande (UFA), Université franco-italienne (UFI), Eötvös Loránd University (CHARM-EU Alliance) and FOREU4ALL.
At its heart, EUC Voices is driven by the conviction that empowering students through education and participation is key to building the future of Europe.
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