EUKICON26
We are excited to invite you to #EUKICON26, the sixth Networking Conference of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI), on 19-20 May 2026 in Berlin. The conference will bring together key players in European climate action under the theme “Doubling down on climate action”. As urgency in climate action grows and geopolitical landscapes shift, the EU decarbonization efforts and its industries are experiencing increasing pressure from external competitors. The EUKI Community stands for practical relevance and cross-border cooperation. Experts, practitioners and policymakers will discuss the role of climate action in a new political reality, explore synergies between climate ambition and competitiveness, and reflect pathways to a resilient and sovereign transformation. Eight workshops will go into depth on important climate issues like methane emissions, Carbon Capture and Storage, effective climate change communication and many more – showcasing project insights and demonstrating how #EUKIworks.
Registration
Thank you for your great interest! The conference is currently fully booked. You can still join the waiting list and we will inform you if a place becomes available.
Join waitlistAgenda
Panels
European Climate Action Under Pressure
The panel discussion examines the growing pressure on European climate action and asks how Europe and civil society can nevertheless safeguard climate goals, democracy and the ability to act.
More about the panelThe Climate and Security Policy Nexus in Europe
The panel discusses how Europe can better strategically align its climate protection ambitions and security policy requirements so that both areas strengthen each other in practice today effectively.
More about the panelAnchoring Net-Zero in a Sovereign EU-Economy
The panel will explore how net-zero is reshaping Europe’s economy, industry, and global position, and what it takes to anchor clean technologies in a competitive and sovereign European model.
More about the panelWorkshops
#EUKICON26 || Day 1 || 02:00 PM Participants will explore the process of implementing the…
#EUKICON26 || Day 1 || 02:00 PM The workshop offers a hands-on and concise introduction…
#EUKICON26 || Day 1 || 02:00 PM Participants will examine why methane matters for climate…
#EUKICON26 || Day 1 || 02:00 PM The workshop aims to reframe vulnerability in the…
#EUKICON26 || Day 2 || 10:45 AM This workshop examines how Urban Resource Centers (URC)…
#EUKICON26 || Day 2 || 10:45 AM Attendees will explore challenges of carbon capture technologies…
#EUKICON26 || Day 2 || 10:45 AM This workshop addresses the question of how European…
#EUKICON26 || Day 2 || 10:45 AM In this workshop, European experts share key lessons…
Speakers
Faustine Bas-Defossez
is Policy Director for Nature, Health and Environment at the European Environmental Bureau. She has over 15 years’ experience in the environmental movement and since 2023 has been Director at the EEB, leading work on biodiversity, agriculture, chemicals and air quality. She previously led its agriculture programme, worked in sustainability think tanks, and at the European Commission. She holds degrees in law and European politics.
Dr Holger Klitzing
has headed Division 408, “Climate and Security; Environmental and Water Diplomacy,” at the German Federal Foreign Office since August 2025. A historian with a doctorate, he has held various positions at the Federal Foreign Office since 2006, including in the Policy Planning Staff and the Energy Division, as well as at the German embassies in Brasília and Lisbon.
Tefta Kelmendi
is Programme Lead Foreign Policy and Climate Cooperation at E3G. She focuses on advancing climate action as a strategic and foreign policy priority, promoting international cooperation. She contributes to E3G’s work on climate and geopolitics, is a researcher at the Jacques Delors Institute, and teaches at Sciences Po. She previously worked at ECFR and as a Kosovo diplomat, and holds a Master’s in International Security.
Julia Hammelehle
is a Senior Policy Advisor at the Munich Security Conference, responsible for the program areas “Global Order” and “Sustainability.” She focuses on energy, climate, and economic security, as well as European foreign policy and transatlantic relations. She studied International Relations and holds a Master’s in EU Politics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Niels Schuster
has been Policy Assistant to DG CLIMA Director-General Kurt Vandenberghe since July 2023. At the European Commission since 2008, he joined DG CLIMA in 2016, handling Council relations on major files like the Green Deal, European Climate Law, “Fit for 55,” and climate diplomacy. He previously worked in international law firms and studied law in Frankfurt, Madrid, and Edinburgh.
Elisabetta Cornago
is assistant director at the Centre for European Reform, where she leads work on EU energy and climate policy. Before joining the CER, she worked at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and at the International Energy Agency. She holds a PhD in economics from Université libre de Bruxelles.
Marek Tiits
is founder and chairman of the Institute of Baltic Studies. He applies data science to analyse global trade, investment, and industry, advising on export-led growth. With 25 years’ experience, he has worked in Estonia and internationally, including for the Prime Minister, the European Commission, and UNCTAD. He now leads an EUKI project on data-driven green growth in Eastern Europe.
Anna Marcinkowska
is an environmental engineer in the Energy Management department at Volkswagen Poznań. In her work, she develops innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency and support sustainable production. She is motivated by the goal of shaping a more sustainable industrial future through responsible energy use.
Veronika Mooses
is a Research Fellow in Human Geography at the University of Tartu. Her research interest lies at the intersection of spatial mobility, big data, and social inequalities. She holds a PhD in Geography. As a mother of three, she seeks to practice sustainable forms of mobility in her everyday life whenever possible.
Ema Gegić
is a Project Manager at Središte za cjeloživotno učenje (SCU) in Travnik. She focuses on developing digital and green transformation strategies for SMEs and driving sustainable rural development. Furthermore, Ema is deeply passionate about integrating advanced STEM technologies into non-formal youth education to help build a greener, innovative future.
Karolina Szyller
is a Communication Manager at WiseEuropa, an independent think tank based in Warsaw. She has over 10 years of experience gained in PR agencies, media, and NGOs, and has been involved in international energy and climate-related projects. She graduated from the University of Warsaw with degrees in international relations and journalism.
Marianna Evenstein
is an US-American broadcast journalist and moderator based in Berlin, Germany. In addition to her work as a television anchor and editor for Germany’s international network DW News (Deutsche Welle), Marianna hosts a wide range of conferences and events. Her clients include global corporations, political foundations, intergovernmental bodies, NGOs and many others.
Location
EUKICON26 will take place on the EUREF Campus in Berlin. The campus is fully accessible and very well connected to public transport. It can be reached via the S-Bahn lines S1, S41 and S42 as well as the bus lines M46 and 248 (stop: S-Schöneberg). Address: EUREF Campus 1–25 10829 Berlin
More about the locationAcademy Training
On May 21 the EUKI Academy Training will provide a dedicated space for in-depth learning and capacity building. After two intensive days of exchange and inspiration during the conference, project representatives will have the opportunity to further develop their skills, deepen their expertise and engage in practical exercises. There are limited places available for the training.
More about the academy trainingFlashback
Here's a sneak peek at EUKICON26: Looking back at the EUKI Academy Networking Conference 2024, you'll find a detailed report, impressions, videos, and interviews from the two-day EU climate event in Berlin – including summaries of the workshops and panels. Around 200 experts from across Europe discussed climate policy, innovations, digital approaches, and best practices for the green transformation. Read on and get inspired for EUKICON26.
Go to flashbackContact
Elsa Benhöfer
Conference Management
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Tel. +49 30 338424-345
Oliver-André Hölcke
Conference Public Relations
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Tel. +49 30 338424-592