Ten workshops, four countries: the EDP's Journées de l'Europe
The European Democratic Party (EDP) holds its Journées de l'Europe 2026 from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, in the French Vaucluse, fringe event alongside the Fall Conference organized by its French member party, the Mouvement Démocrate (MoDem). The EDP runs its own programme of workshops in the Salle Honneur, alongside a stand open for the whole weekend, where participants can meet the party's team and learn about the work of its MEPs and of its member parties across Europe.
The line-up reaches well beyond France. Krzysztof Koman comes from Warsaw for Nowa Polska — not an EDP member party, invited precisely because the Polish case belongs in any serious discussion of where European democracy is holding and where it is not. Luigi Giannitti arrives from Rome, François Lafond brings the view from Kyiv as adviser to the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, and Belgium is present twice over the weekend, with federal minister Jean-Luc Crucke and with Gaëlle Valcke, former Red Panthers international, now in the Brussels regional administration. Four nationalities, one agenda.
One question runs through the three days: what the Union can still decide, and with what means.
The programme in full
Friday 18 September
18:45 — « Bienvenue chez les démocrates européens : qui fait quoi ? » — how a European political party, its foundation and its youth organisation work. With Alice Bernard-Montini, president of the Young Democrats for Europe (YDE); Mathieu Camescasse, head of finance and compliance, EDP; Marguerite Deprez-Audebert, EDP Treasurer; Alexandra Leuliette, board member of the Institute of European Democrats (IED).
Saturday 19 September — morning
09:00 — « À 30 États, l'Europe peut-elle encore décider ? » — enlargement and the reform of decision-making. With Sandro Gozi, MEP, EDP Secretary General, and François Lafond, adviser to the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
09:45 — « Trois mandats, une même question : peut-on faire l'Europe depuis sa mairie ? » — European policy seen from local government. With Vincent Chauvet, mayor of Autun and member of the European Committee of the Regions; Sylvie Brunet, former MEP; Louise Daniel, city councillor in Arzano.
10:30 — « Pologne, Italie, France : nos démocraties tiennent-elles ? » — the state of democracy in three member states. With Krzysztof Koman, secretary of Nowa Polska (Poland); Luigi Giannitti, Senior Fellow at the LUISS School of Government (Rome); Frédéric Petit, EDP Deputy Secretary General.
11:15 — « Lutte pour la démocratie : citoyens de tous les pays, unissez-vous » — transnational civic mobilisation. With Schams El-Ghoneimi, political analyst, and Frédéric Petit. Moderation: Pierre-André Hervé.
Saturday 19 September — afternoon
12:00 — « Grandir à l'heure du numérique : l'Europe peut-elle encore fixer les règles du jeu ? » — the EU digital rulebook and the protection of minors online. With Sarah El Haïry, High Commissioner for Childhood, and Alice Bernard-Montini.
13:30 — « Canicules, sécheresses : l'Europe face au mur climatique ? » — adaptation policies and European climate instruments. With Philippe Klein, deputy mayor of Pontarlier for sustainable development, and Éric Duprix, journalist (Radio Présence).
14:15 — « Après Ceuta : l'Europe peut-elle tenir ses frontières ? » — the external border and the Pact on Migration and Asylum. With Sabine Thillaye, IED board member, and Éric Duprix.
15:00 — « L'Europe finance-t-elle encore nos territoires ? » — cohesion policy, the LEADER programme and rural development. With Irène Tolleret, former MEP and vice-president of Leader France; Quentin Legouy, board member of the European LEADER Association for Rural Development and member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe; Malvina Ammoun, vice-president of the LEADER Committee of the Oise-Pays de France regional nature park.
15:45 — « Made in Europe : peut-on encore rivaliser avec les États-Unis et la Chine ? » — industrial policy, the single market and European competitiveness. With Christophe Grudler, MEP, and Jean-Paul Mattei, MP, member of the Finance Committee.
16:30, Salle Atelier Démocrate — « Les propositions de vos députés européens pour 2027 et l'avenir de la France en Europe » — European parliamentarians in dialogue with participants. With Laurence Farreng, MEP, chair of the French delegation of Renew Europe elected members; Sandro Gozi; Christophe Grudler. Moderation: Alexandra Leuliette.
Europe up close
Eleven sessions, four nationalities, three days. Enlargement and unanimity, cohesion funds and LEADER, the digital rulebook, the external border after Ceuta, industrial competition with Washington and Beijing: the files that will decide the Union's next five years, argued out with the mayors, councillors and activists who have to defend them at home. A Union of thirty will need that conversation more often, not less.
Download the programme of the Journées de l'Europe 2026 (PDF)
