"Lessons of Europe" - webinar series 2026

From March 19th to May 14th, 2026, "Lessons of Europe", a series of nine webinars on topics related to the European Commission's "Work Plan for 2024", organized in collaboration with 7 Europe Direct Centers: Europe Direct Siena, Europe Direct Trapani Sicilia, Europe Direct Chieti, Europe Direct Venezia Veneto, Europe Direct Emilia-Romagna, Europe Direct Lombardia, and Europe Direct Molise, was held. 

The aim was to raise awareness of various European issues, in fact the following topics will be covered: EU enlargement and international policy issues, Europlanning, drought and European funding with a focus on National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRP) projects, active citizenship and European elections.

"Lessons of Europe" were intended for all citizens, university and secondary school students and journalists. In organizing the Lessons of Europe, speakers from the various DGs of the European Commission were involved, including that of the Joint Research Center, the European Digital and Health Executive Agency, the National Contact Points for European Programs, the Office in Italy of the European Parliament, and possibly Team Europe. 

The meetings are held online from 10:00 to 11:30.

The webinar series is free and open to all citizens, university and secondary school students, and journalists.

Final test (optional)
For those who need to take a final assessment of the skills they've learned, there's a final test.
The test will be in May, at the end of the 2026 European Lessons cycle.
The test is optional and will only be given if you ask for it, just to get your training recognised.

THE CHALLENGES FACING EUROPE: HOW TO RETHINK THE FUTURE OF THE EU
Thursday 19 March, 10.00-11.30 => Understanding the European Union: institutions, policies and decision-making processes
Thursday 2 April, 10.00-11.30 => Difficult times: the European Union and its defence
Thursday 9 April, 10.00-11.30 => Non-negotiable values: the European Union, democracy and the rule of law
Thursday 16 April, 10.00-11.30 => The Atlantic widens: the crisis in US-EU relations in the new global order
Thursday 23 April, 10:00-11:30 => Priorities and resources: the EU's multiannual financial framework
Thursday 30 April, 10:00-11:30 => From the AI Act to the Digital Omnibus: the European Union and the regulation of artificial intelligence
Thursday 7 May, 10:00-11:30 => The European Union and the green transition: where we are now
Thursday 14 May, 10:00-11:30 => From idea to funding: a guide to European project design.