17 October 2025

Apply now for ESA 2026 and speak up for your generation

Do you want to make your voice heard across Europe and help shape its future? Join the European Student Assembly (from April 20 to 22, 2026) in Strasbourg. Applications for the 2026 edition of the European Student Assembly now open until 2 November.

The European Student Assembly is the flagship initiative of the EUC Voices Erasmus+ project. Each year, around 250 students from all across Europe meet at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg to debate the most pressing issues of our time.

The objectives of the European Student Assembly (ESA) are to give a voice to engaged and motivated students, strengthen connections between European University Alliances, promote participatory democratic processes, and encourage youth involvement in European political life.

Participants of ESA 2026 will collaborate on eight key debate topics and produce a collection of policy recommendations. The Assembly will be followed by a series of dissemination events bringing together stakeholders and decision-makers, where students will advocate for and share their proposals with actors from various levels of government, companies, NGOs, and other organisations active in European political life.

Photo: Unite! students participated in ESA 2025

Debating topics

• Panel 1—Strengthening democracy, engaging citizens: How can the EU bridge the gap between its institutions and its citizens to build trust and foster civic participation?
• Panel 2—Scaling the circular economy: How can the EU overcome uneven progress and encourage change across sectors and societies?
• Panel 3—Aligning budget with impact: How can the Union’s funding rebalance and adapt to the social changes?
• Panel 4—Europe moving together: How can the EU develop an inclusive public transport system?
• Panel 5—Unlocking digital potential: How can the EU empower inclusive digital literacy and cybersecurity and build resilience?
• Panel 6—Educating without borders: How can the EU support universities in fostering interdisciplinarity?
• Panel 7—Enabling generational solidarity: How can the EU address demographic change and promote meaningful participation for older generations in society?
• Panel 8—Europe’s strategic autonomy: How can the EU reconcile strategic autonomy with its core values in the field of trade agreements? 
  

Selection process

1. After 2 November 2025, the list of eligible applications will be shared with all European University Alliances.
2. Each alliance will review applications from its member institutions and propose a shortlist of around five students.
3. The ESA Organising Team will then review these lists to ensure geographical, disciplinary, and gender diversity.
4. Final selections will be communicated to the alliances and then to the selected students.