EUSEW 2026: 20 years of dialogue and collaboration on Europe’s clean energy transition

The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) hits its 20-year milestone in 2026 and it is ready to turn up the power. On 9-11 June, Europe’s clean energy community will meet again in Brussels and online to keep the transition moving. This milestone year will centre on the theme ‘A clean, secure and competitive Energy Union’, notably in the development of renewables and energy efficiency, reinforcing the role that consumers, citizens and communities play in the clean energy transition and improving the functioning of the internal energy market. 

The Policy Conference programme will be organised around five thematic blocks that mirror the key priorities of the Energy Union: Competitive and secure Energy Union; Energy affordability; Renewable energy; Energy efficiency; Decarbonisation framework in the EU and globally.

As the EU works to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and expand homegrown clean energy, EUSEW 2026 offers a central platform to co-create solutions for a sustainable and competitive Europe.

Held in a hybrid format in Brussels and online, EUSEW 2026 remains the EU’s largest annual gathering dedicated to renewables and energy efficiency. It offers a collaborative space for policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, civil society, youth and local communities to debate Europe’s energy priorities, discuss solutions and showcase projects that are delivering real impact.

Help shape the EUSEW 2026 Policy Conference

The European Commission has now opened the call for policy session proposals, inviting organisations to contribute to the 2026 programme until 22 January 2026. Industry representatives, policy experts, researchers, civil society organisations, academic institutions and youth organisations are encouraged to submit ideas for sessions that bring new perspectives and facilitate meaningful exchanges across sectors.

Hosting a policy session offers the opportunity to:

• position your organisation at the forefront of major policy discussions;
• contribute expertise that will influence conversations throughout the Policy Conference;
• engage with EU decision-makers and leading voices in clean energy;
• showcase your work to an audience of thousands of participants onsite and online; and
• connect with professionals across Europe’s sustainable energy community.

As EUSEW receives several hundred proposals each year, the programme is curated to ensure a balanced, diverse and impactful set of sessions. Some proposals may also be invited to join collaborative sessions or the online-only programme, broadening the opportunities for participation.

Celebrating leaders of the clean energy transition with the EUSEW Awards

Applications are also now open for the EUSEW Awards, which honour outstanding projects, individuals and initiatives at the forefront of Europe’s clean energy progress. This year’s Awards will be distributed in three categories: ‘Local Energy  Action’, ‘Women in Energy’, and, for the first time this year, ‘SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency’.

Leaders of the clean energy transition will have until 29 January 2026 to submit their applications, with finalists to be celebrated during the Awards Ceremony on 9 June at the Policy Conference in Brussels. Winners and finalists of the EUSEW Awards receive strong visibility support, including a professionally produced promotional video, a press package with a feature story circulated to European and local media, and the opportunity to attend the Awards Ceremony in Brussels.

Join the EUSEW 2026 Info Session

The co-creation of the 20th edition begins with the EUSEW 2026 online Info Session, taking place on 3 December from 11:00 to 12:30 CET. The session will outline the opportunities available this year, including the calls, criteria and key deadlines that shape the programme. 

A recording of the session, together with the timeline, Q&A and supporting materials, will be available afterwards on the EUSEW 2026 resources page. 

More ways to join the EUSEW community

Stay tuned because in addition to the Policy Conference and Awards, several other participation opportunities will open in January and February 2026. These include calls to become an exhibitor at the Energy Fair, join the new cohort of Young Energy Ambassadors, or organise a Sustainable Energy Day anywhere in the world. These activities help extend the reach of EUSEW beyond Brussels, engaging citizens locally and fostering connections across Europe and beyond.

About the European Sustainable Energy Week

The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) has become a cornerstone of Europe’s clean energy movement, now preparing for its 20th edition with EUSEW 2026. This milestone edition celebrates two decades of advancing Europe’s transition to clean, efficient and sustainable energy. Over the years, EUSEW has brought together a passionate community dedicated to creating a secure, resilient, and sustainable energy future for the next generations. Since its launch in 2007 by the European Commission, EUSEW has grown into a key platform for dialogue and collaboration on EU energy policies and initiatives. It is an annual flagship conference organised by the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) in close partnership with the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).