The European Policy Centre invites you to the launch of the Outlook Forum, a new annual gathering dedicated to anticipating the political developments, strategic risks and critical choices that could shape Europe in the year ahead. 

Europe operates in an era of permanent structural disruption. The rules-based international system that has underpinned its security and prosperity is weakening, while geopolitical rivalry, illiberalism, demographic change, technological revolutions and climate change are placing growing pressure on the foundations of the European project. 

Europe’s ability to act, retain public support and deliver security, prosperity, sustainability and opportunity depends on democratic institutions that are legitimate, effective and trusted. The future of Europe is therefore inseparable from the future of liberal democracy: if those foundations weaken, Europe’s capacity to shape its future – and the character of the European project itself – will weaken with them.  

Against this backdrop, the EPC Outlook Forum is a place to reflect on the strategic risks and critical choices that could shape Europe in the year ahead.  

Under the title Democracy under Pressure, the inaugural Forum will examine how today’s trends may interact, explore plausible futures for 2027 and stress-test whether Europe’s institutions, policies, assumptions and ultimately its democracies are prepared for what may come next. 

This event welcomes the participation of EPC member organisations, EU institutions and media. 

For media enquiries, please contact media@epc.eu.

For other queries, please contact events@epc.eu.