ESEIA Holds Its 33rd General Assembly Meeting
On 20 November 2025, ESEIA held its 33rd General Assembly online, bringing together 27 participants from 17 member organisations across 12 European countries to review progress, adopt the 2026 strategic documents, and take decisions on governance and membership.
The Assembly approved the ESEIA Work Programme and Budget 2026, Audited Accounts 2025 and Q1 2026, and updates to the Governing Council and General Assembly composition.
The meeting opened with a presentation by Remi Mayet, Policy Advisor at the European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy, who outlined the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, an initiative designed to support technology-driven innovative companies across Europe. The presentation highlighted legislative, financial and policy measures to improve market access, foster innovation-friendly regulation, and strengthen the EU’s clean-tech ecosystem, with links to broader competitiveness efforts such as the Letta and Draghi reports.
Working Group Progress and Priorities for 2026
The Working Group Coordinators presented progress made in 2025 and set priorities for 2026, covering project implementation, proposal acquisition, education and training activities, dissemination and communication efforts, and activities under the New ESEIA_34 Strategy.
The 2026 Education and Training Programme will include six events: the 7th ESEIA Bi-Annual Conference, the ESEIA International Summer School, and four ESEIA Lectures, all organised under the five Working Groups.
ESEIA will be involved in four funded EU projects in 2026: ToFuel, EMERGE, INITIATE, and the Revised SET Plan Cross-Sector Task Force on Market Access. Project acquisition will focus on 18 Horizon Europe calls selected across WG1–WG5, spanning biorefineries, governance, mobility, and smart energy materials.
Governing Council: Mandate Renewals and Changes
On behalf of the community, the ESEIA President thanked Costas Papanicolas, Former President of The Cyprus Institute and Special Envoy for Climate Change, for his strategic guidance and contribution as ESEIA Vice-President from 2020–2025. The Governing Council proposed the renewal of the mandates of Vice-President Andrea Höglinger, TU Graz, and Vice-President Goran Krajačić, UZagreb, for another two years.
Two New Member Organisations in 2026
Ulster University, Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment, UK, will join ESEIA as a member from 2026. Ulster University is renowned for world-leading research in sustainable design, energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, and hydrogen safety technologies. Through research centres such as the Centre for Sustainable Technologies and HySAFER, it supports innovation across the built environment and clean energy sectors.
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, MK, will join ESEIA alliance as a member starting in 2026. The Faculty has a strong focus on digitalisation and decarbonisation of energy, runs 10+ R&I projects annually, and participates in major programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Interreg. Its Energy Living Lab and INNOFEIT Centre support applied research, industry cooperation, and innovation in clean energy systems.
In 2026, ESEIA will have 22 member organisations in 13 European countries, representing 15 HEIs, 4 research organisations, and 3 businesses.
Most Active Members in 2024
ESEIA recognised three members for their outstanding contributions:
- Jarno Ruusunen, Savonia UAS, FI, Member of ESEIA Working Group 1: Biorefineries, Biobased Economy and Bioresource Utilization, for his active participation in ESEIA R&I, ESEIA’s education and training programmes, and for the successful organization of the 6th ESEIA Bi-Annual Conference and International Summer School, we would like to thank Mr. Jarno Ruusunen and the entire Savonia UAS team.
- Mario Hirz, TU Graz, AT, Working Group 2, Focus Group 1 Leader: Energy Transition in Urban Regions, Smart Mobility, for his active participation as a Coordinator of Research and Innovation proposals, and his valuable contributions as a lecturer in the 6th ESEIA Bi-Annual Conference and International Summer School.
- Frans H.J.M. Coenen, UTwente, NL, Working Group 4 Coordinator: Governance, Business Models and Legal Frameworks, for hisactive participation in WG activities, his involvement in proposal development, and his valuable contributions to ESEIA’s 13th Lecture.
Next Meetings
The next Governing Council and General Assembly meetings will take place online on15 April 2026 and in person in Lisbon alongside the 7th ESEIA International Conference, on a date to be confirmed.
We look forward to meeting you again to drive forward new initiatives and meaningful collaboration.
Contact ESEIA Team: office@eseia.eu
