More details tbc. 

Russia’s war against Ukraine has reinforced the strategic importance of EU enlargement. As Moldova and Ukraine advance in the accession process, Georgia retains its candidate status, although the progress has stalled, and Armenia deepens its partnership with the EU, the Eastern Partnership region has entered a new phase. This evolving landscape creates new opportunities to advance democratic reforms, while also being shaped by growing geopolitical uncertainty and authoritarian tendencies in some countries. Despite these, democracy and closer ties with the European Union remain a priority for many citizens across the region. Both the enlargement policy and the Eastern Partnership have an important role to play in advancing these aspirations.  

This panel will examine how the two frameworks can reinforce one another. How can enlargement remain a credible driver of democratic transformation? How can the Eastern Partnership continue to deliver meaningful engagement for countries at different levels of European integration? How can the EU maintain its normative role for countries that are becoming authoritarian? 

Coffee Break 

As the European Union advances its Connectivity Agenda linking Europe, the South Caucasus, the Black Sea region, and Central Asia, attention has primarily focused on transport, energy, digital infrastructure, and trade. Yet sustainable connectivity depends not only on physical infrastructure but also on strong connections between people, institutions, businesses and societies. Civil society partnerships, academic exchanges, cultural cooperation, youth mobility and professional networks, business cooperation are essential for building trust, fostering mutual understanding, and supporting long-term regional integration.

This panel will explore how people-to-people and business to business connectivity can become a stronger pillar of the EU’s cross-regional engagement. How can human and societal connections complement investments in infrastructure? What role can civil society and the private sector play within the EU’s Connectivity Agenda and in expanding cooperation across borders?

Speakers to be announced closer to the event dates. 

More details tbc. 

Coffee Break 

Side Room 1: Building Societal Resilience through Support of Local Civil Society Organisations 

This interactive session will showcase practical examples from the Eastern Partnership countries of how local civil society organisations, communities, and public authorities collaborate to strengthen societal resilience. Presentations will highlight initiatives that promote civic participation and community engagement through participatory processes, improve services for vulnerable groups through civil society-government cooperation and enhance resilience to foreign information manipulation through media literacy and critical thinking initiatives. 

Following presentations, participants will be divided into small groups to get to know each other, exchange experiences, and discuss examples from their own countries and organisations. The discussion will explore common challenges, lessons learned and opportunities for collaboration, creating a space for peer learning and networking among participants working to build resilience and cohesive communities. 

Speakers to be announced closer to the event dates. 

Side Room 2: Youth at the Table: Advancing Youth Priorities in the Eastern Partnership 

In May 2026, Eastern Partnership Youth Conference brought together more than 100 young leaders, youth and civil society representatives, to discuss how youth civic space can be protected and expanded across the region. Participants stressed that young people must be recognised not only as beneficiaries but as partners in shaping democratic reforms, resilience, and European integration processes.  

This panel builds on Conference’s key recommendations and offers an opportunity to connect youth priorities with broader discussions at the Summit. What barriers continue to limit youth political participation, and how can they be addressed? How can governments move beyond consulting young people to sharing decision-making power with them? How can the Eastern Partnership create more opportunities for young people, especially for young women, to shape public policy and democratic reforms? 

Speakers to be announced closer to the event dates. 

Side Room 3: Defending Democracy and Strengthening Independent Media in the Eastern Partnership 

Independent media are essential to democratic governance, accountability, and societal resilience across the Eastern Partnership. Yet they operate in an increasingly complex environment shaped by foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), disinformation, election interference, political pressure, and shrinking civic space. At the same time, artificial intelligence and evolving digital platforms are transforming the information landscape, creating both new opportunities and new risks for information integrity, democratic governance, and public trust. 

What lessons can be drawn from recent experiences in strengthening independent media and protecting information spaces from emerging threats?  How can media organisations, civil society, and public institutions strengthen resilience against information manipulation while safeguarding media freedom, openness, and pluralism? How can cooperation between independent media, civil society, governments, and international partners help build public trust and strengthen democratic information ecosystems across the Eastern Partnership region? 

Speakers to be announced closer to the event dates. 

More details tbc.