FEPS Newsletter 22 July 2026 – 🎓 FEPS’ training recap

Have a great summer break! – If you have problems displaying this email, follow this […]

22/07/2026
Have a great summer break! –

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Training

FEPS’ European Progressive Training Lab (EPTL) has been gearing up a number of initiatives these past weeks. As the 9th cycle of the FEPS Young Academics Network came to an end, we have published some thought-provoking papers that reflect 18 months of work. 

 

Speaking of the youth, FEPS organised a series of fringe events during the YES Summer Camp in Warsaw. The Friends of Eastern Partnership also took place in the Polish capital. We could rely on the support of the members of the Pool of Trainers, which itself saw a Training of Trainers seminar on digitalisation in the Netherlands.

 

We hope you all enjoy a restful break, so you can return refreshed in September, ready to engage in vibrant discussions and explore innovative progressive ideas!

FEPS activities in the framework of YES Summer Camp

 2-4 JULY – WARSAW, POLAND

Empowering youth

FEPS activities in the framework of YES Summer Camp

 

FEPS participated in the Young European Socialists Summer Camp in Warsaw with a series of interactive panel discussions and training workshops exploring some of the most pressing challenges facing Europe and its neighbourhood.

 

The programme focused on the future of the EU and the culture of fear, strategies to counter the far right, advancing women’s political leadership, and the main gender issues in the Eastern Partnership.

These FEPS fringe events were part of FEPS’ European Progressive Training Lab, led by FEPS, in collaboration with Friederich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), Karl-Renner-Institut, Amicus Europae, Eteron, Foundation Max van der Stoel (FMS), Olof Palmes Internationella Center and Fondazione Pietro Nenni.

New policy studies by FEPS YAN young scholars

 

The 9th cycle of FEPS’ Young Academic Network  (YAN) has successfully concluded, marking another great chapter of this initiative.

New policy studies by FEPS YAN young scholars!

Thirthy incredibly motivated PhD candidates and postdocs worked throughout the almost two-year cycle with mentors and experts, including MEPs, and produced six policy papers:

 

The 10th cycle of FEPS YAN has already started, with a first meeting planned in Vienna in September.

These publications were prepared in the framework of the European Progressive Training Lab.

Friends of Eastern Partnership

1-4 JULY – WARSAW, POLAND

Friends of Eastern Partnership

 

What do social democracy and progressivism mean in the Eastern Partnership region? 

 

This year’s edition of Friends of Eastern Partnership provided a space for in-depth discussions on strengthening progressive cooperation, developing local strategies and fostering regional networking across the Eastern Partnership.

Participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine explored key topics such as defining progress in the region, mapping the political landscape, translating core values like democracy, equality and solidarity into practice and identifying the strategic and electoral positioning of centre-left forces.

 

This event was organised in the framework of the European Progressive Training Lab.

5-7 JUNE – THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS

Training of Trainers (ToT) on Digital

 

Focusing on digital topics, the event brought together experienced and aspiring trainers from across the European Union, creating a unique space for cross-border learning, exchange, and collaboration within the progressive family.

 

The ToT aimed to upskill a representative group from the existing FEPS Pool of Trainers, strengthen participants’ capacity to design and deliver engaging training sessions on digital topics, and share methodologies, tools, and best practices for digital training design

Training of Trainers (ToT) on Digital

This event was organised in the framework of the European Progressive Training Lab.

FEPS training Manuals

FEPS Training Manuals

 

The Training Manuals, part of FEPS European Progressive Training Lab’s toolbox, describe methodologies of specific training progreammes so they can be consistently and reliably replicated by other trainers.

 

Discover the latest editions: 

  • Because the leadership matters – This training focused on the role of the political leaders with young leaders aspiring to serve further, implement political projects and accomplish political missions. By FEPS, in collaboration with FES.
  • How to design a skill booster – Those short, focused training sessions are designed to equip European progressive actors with practical skills and strategic insights to strengthen progressive ideas and political action across Europe. By FEPS, in collaboration with FMS and Karl-Renner-Institut.

POLICY BRIEF

Institutional aspects of Ukrainian accession to the EU

 

Ukrainian accession to the European Union has major implications for the EU itself. It has economic, political, security and institutional consequences and complications which will have to be addressed to make it work in the interest of everybody.

 

This policy brief examines the institutional aspects of Ukraine’s joining: how will it fit into the EU institutions, and do those institutions need to be adapted?

Institutional aspects of Ukrainian accession to the EU

By Richard Corbett – By FEPS, in collaboration with FMS.

Events
FEPS Policy Conference 2026
 

📅  30 SEPT – 1 OCT

📍 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

UPCOMING EVENT

FEPS Policy Conference 2026

Towards a sustainable European sovereignty

 

In these times of recurring disruptions, reclaiming a sustainable European sovereignty can be achieved by breaking away from fossil fuel dependence, protecting citizens’ and workers’ rights, and investing in economic activities fit for a climate-neutral future. The Conference will discuss how to reaffirm a European project rooted in social justice, climate protection, and fair digital innovation. Find out more.

Clean technology value chains and the EU’s industrial strategy
 

📅  23 SEPTEMBER

📍 FEPS HQ

UPCOMING EVENT

Clean technology value chains and the EU’s industrial strategy

Competitiveness and resilience of heat pumps

 

This public seminar will discuss the findings of FEPS upcoming policy study “European clean technology value chains: competitiveness and resilience of heat pumps”.

 

The study analyses key data to understand where the EU production of heat pump components stands in terms of competitiveness and innovation. The event will also explore ways to link the findings with current EU industrial policies, like the Industrial Accelerator Act. More info.

Podcasts

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

‘Don’t let AI take over your capability to think and be creative’

With Katarina Barley and Monty Aal

 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website | Youtube

Listen to the podcast 'Don't let AI take over your capability to think and be creative'

AI remains a priority topic on the political agenda. As the EU leverages an increasing number of policy and financial instruments to stimulate the development and uptake of AI in Europe, this technology permeates virtually every aspect of our lives – from work and education to public services and our private lives. Monty Aal, FEPS Policy Analyst on Digital, talks to MEP Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the EP and Chair of the AI Working Group of the PES.

Progressive Post
Good luck! And don’t f**k it up…

Photo credits: Shutterstock / csikiphoto

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Good luck! And don’t f**k it up…

Hungary beyond the elections: a fragile chance for LGBTQI+ equality

By Marene Elgershuizen, Vice President PES-Rainbow Rose

LGBTQI+ rights are a measure of a society’s health. In Hungary, Péter Magyar enjoys broad support for restoring democracy but will he make LGBTQI+ equality a priority?

 

Only progressive forces can deliver true social reform and equality. Read more.

 

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