From 8 to 12 June 2026, the 26th Summer Seminar, titled “Strategic Visions for Central and Eastern Europe in the Polycrisis Era” was held in Albena, Bulgaria. The event was organized by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) in Sofia, with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Central European Initiative (CEI), the Embassy of Austria in Sofia, and the European Commission. It brought together representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, and academia from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine. The Institute of International Politics and Economics was represented by researchers Marina Radovanović and Ivana Dunjić.
The seminar programme focused on key public policy challenges facing the European Union and the wider Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. Discussions covered a broad range of topics, including the EU’s strategic autonomy and economic competitiveness, enlargement policy and the Western Balkans, the integration of artificial intelligence into public administration, and the resilience of democratic institutions amid growing geopolitical tensions and energy-related challenges.
In addition to the lecture sessions, participants took part in the Strategic Foresight workshops, which encouraged them to explore possible scenarios for the future of CEE over the 2026–2036 period. Particular attention was given to the evolving security landscape in Europe and the future direction of the EU enlargement process.
Participation in this year’s seminar continues the longstanding cooperation between the IIPE and the EPI from Sofia. This partnership aims to strengthen regional research networks and foster joint engagement with current political and economic developments across Central and Eastern Europe.
