Participants, panelists, and special guests will join forces to seek answers on how to navigate a world where change has become the norm. Discussions will cover the shifting balance of power among major nations, Europe’s recovery of competitiveness, and the digital and energy transitions. The Forum will open with a debate on values ​​and conclude with an address by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

This year’s program is structured around four thematic tracks: Our New World, Our New Europe, Our New Poland, and Our New Human. Key geopolitical topics will include Europe’s role amidst the rivalry between the USA, China, and Russia, as well as the rising influence of China, India, and the nations of the Global South.

Another key topic will be the future of Ukraine, including its reconstruction and the role of European business. Discussions will also address the European economy, defense financing, energy, AI, industry, public health, and education.

In addition to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, other government representatives will arrive in Sopot, including Deputy Prime Ministers Krzysztof Gawkowski (Minister of Digital Affairs) and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (Minister of National Defence), as well as Wojciech Balczun (Minister of State Assets), Marta Cienkowska (Minister of Culture), Paulina Hennig-Kloska (Minister of Climate and Environment), Dariusz Klimczak (Minister of Infrastructure), Miłosz Motyka (Minister of Energy), Barbara Nowacka (Minister of Education), Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda (Minister of Health), and Waldemar Żurek (Minister of Justice).

EFNI guests will also include former heads of government from New Zealand, Italy, and Austria, alongside representatives from European institutions such as the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, the European Parliament, and the European Economic and Social Committee. The interdisciplinary nature of EFNI is best illustrated by the diversity of the invited guests, who represent a wide range of backgrounds: Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś; literary scholar and author Prof. Michał Rusinek; historian and political scientist Prof. Antoni Dudek; futurist Prof. Aleksandra Przegalińska; and athlete Aleksandra Mirosław, an Olympic champion in climbing.

The Forum’s program is complemented by more intimate "EFNI Talks" sessions, as well as lectures and meetings with authors. New reports and studies will be presented, ranging from economic analyses to opinion polls. Each day concludes with "Night Owl Conversations"—less formal evening gatherings featuring writers, politicians, and artists, among others. For 15 years, EFNI has served as a platform for dialogue among business, academia, culture, and public administration. Thanks to the wide range of topics and perspectives covered, the Forum culminates in recommendations presented to the government.

European Forum for New Ideas

#WhatComesTomorrow

Sopot, Radisson Blu Hotel

October 14–16, 2026

The 15th edition of the European Forum for New Ideas is organized by the Lewiatan Confederation, the City of Sopot, and BusinessEurope.

Strategic partners of EFNI 2026 are: Orange, ORLEN S.A., and PKP S.A.

Main partners: ARP, Benefit Systems, Eko Cykl, Enea, Energa, Citi Handlowy Foundation, City of Gdańsk, Invest in Pomerania, Local Content, LuxMed, Pomeranian Voivodeship Local Government, PZU, and TikTok. Supporting partners: Apator, BAT, BP Poland, COI, Ergis Group, Exatel, ExxonMobil, home.pl, Infarma, National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, National Chamber of Environmental Protection, OtoMoto, Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (Polish Nuclear Power Plants), Polish Aviation Group, Polish Association of Pharmaceutical Industry Employers, Port of Gdańsk, Port of Gdynia, Port Polska, Radisson Blu Hotel Sopot, Łukasiewicz Research Network, and Lewiatan Digital Employers' Association.

Strategic substantive partners are the SGH Warsaw School of Economics and the University of Lodz. The main substantive partner is ThinkThank, while other substantive partners include the Centre for International Relations, the Responsible Development Forum, the Institute of New Ideas, Kultura Liberalna, NASK, Polityka Insight, PWN, and WWF.

Institutional partners: European Investment Bank, European Economic and Social Committee, Ministry of Energy, State Art Gallery in Sopot, Polski Atom, and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).

Main media partners: Business Insider Polska, Dziennik Bałtycki, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, Forbes Polska, Gazeta.pl, Gazeta Wyborcza, Money.pl, Onet, Polish Press Agency (PAP), Puls Biznesu, Radio Zet, Rzeczpospolita, RP.pl, TokFM, TVN24 Biznes i Świat, TVP Info, and WP. Media partners: Bankier.pl, Bauer Media Outdoor, eNewsroom, Euronews, ISBnews, Medonet, My Company Polska, Newseria, Parkiet.com, Polskie Radio, Strefa Biznesu, Super Biznes, Trojmiasto.pl, Warsaw Business Journal, XYZ, and Zawsze Pomorze.

The executive producer of EFNI 2026 is Platige Image, and the technology partner is Amber Expo.

LINK: efni.pl/en/