Building a digital Europe of equal opportunities

Creating a feminist agenda for quality jobs,
affordable housing and democratic empowerment

Call to Europe, held bi-annually in the country hosting the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, serves as a dynamic platform for dialogue among key stakeholders, experts, civil society representatives, and policymakers. Guided by the 3-P principle – Positive, Participatory, and Progressive – FEPS aims to inspire meaningful conversations on Europe’s most pressing challenges. The initiative strives to ‘bridge the gap’ between European citizens and institutions by employing interactive and inclusive formats. Ireland is holding the presidency from July to December 2026. 

The key priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU are competitiveness, security and values. On Saturday, 17 October, FEPS will analyse these priorities from a progressive and gender equality angle with three sessions on: 

• Competitiveness without a free pass for big tech, 
• Security, focusing on providing a roof for people, 
• Values that defend democracy. 

• Ivana Bacik, President, The Labour Party Ireland
• Iratxe García Pérez, President of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament (video message)
• Aodhán Ó Riordáin, Member of the European Parliament, S&D Group, Ireland 
• Irene Tinagli, Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the HOUS Committee, S&D Group, Italy 
• Evin Incir, Member of the European Parliament, S&D Group, Sweden 
• Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Member of the European Parliament, S&D Group, Poland 
• Aarthi Kumar, Founder, Yookthi Labs 
• Marian Cowley, Professor of Business, Maynooth University 
• Viola Bianchetti, Programmes Manager, IGLYO – The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation 
• Michaela Kauer, Director of Brussels Office of the City of Vienna 
• Mar Jiménez Carete, Commissioner for European Affairs at Barcelona City Council 
• Michelle Hall, Councillor, Louth, Drogheda Rural 
• Hannah Phillips, Jo Cox Foundation, Respectful Politics Policy Manager
• Salome Mbugua, AkiDwA Ireland 
• Zita Gurmai, PES Women President 
• Lhamo Fitzsimons, National Secretary of Labour Youth
• Mariam Asghari, Secretary General, Young European Socialists
• László Andor, Secretary General, FEPS 
• Ania Skrzypek, Director for Research and Training, FEPS 
• François Balate, Policy Analyst on Social and Academic Coordinator, FEPS
• Inga Sabanova, Policy Officer, FES Competence Center on Future of Work
• Among others!

All across these fields, women, girls and the LGBTQIA+ community are affected very differently and, often in a negative way. The EU must facilitate and embrace digital opportunities that have a meaningful impact in creating an equal, social Europe. 

The event will also feature the Socialist and Democrats Group in the European Parliament’s Housing Exhibition, which showcases real stories from across Europe and opens the door to Europe’s housing reality.

Listen to Katherina’s story about how Housing policies that prioritise social, cooperative and non-profit housing can benefit EU citizens. 🏡

By FEPS in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC), the Irish Labour Party, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), PES Women, Young European Socialists (YES) and PES Committee of the Regions. 

More information will follow. Secure your spot and register via the red button above.

Register already for this public discussion at the Communications Workers’ Union Dublin on 17 October, 9:00-13:45h followed by a lunch reception 13:45-15:00h.

For more information regarding the project and this publication, please do not hesitate to contact Julia Wild, Acting Gender Equality Portfolio Coordinator and Project Officer, FEPS (julia.wild@feps-europe.eu) and Ania Skrzypek, Director for Research and Training, FEPS, (ania.skrzypek@feps-europe.eu).