Club Alpbach: Future Czech Leaders in European Dialogue

Why we support the project

• it gives young talent from the Czech Republic and Slovakia access to one of Europe’s major platforms for debate on the continent’s future

• the scholarship programme helps remove financial barriers, enabling people with the potential to become responsible, confident leaders to take part

• Cross-Border Dialogue connects young professionals, experts and innovators from different countries, encouraging them to find practical solutions to current societal challenges

• the new leadership programme will help talented people under 30 develop critical thinking and collaboration skills while providing mentoring and international experience

• the project strengthens Czech and Slovak voices in Europe and helps build a lasting community of people who want to contribute actively to public debate

About the project

Club Alpbach Czechia & Slovakia is part of the international Forum Alpbach Network and involves young people from the Czech Republic and Slovakia in the debate about Europe’s future. Its main activity is a scholarship programme enabling them to attend the European Forum Alpbach, which brings students, young professionals, researchers, business leaders, politicians and representatives of international institutions to the Austrian Alps every summer.

The European Forum Alpbach creates a setting where different generations, disciplines and perspectives on today’s challenges come together. For young participants, it is more than a conference: it is an immersive experience that introduces them to new contacts, broadens their horizons and helps them reflect on their own role in Europe. Club Alpbach Czechia & Slovakia works to make this experience accessible to as many talented people from our region as possible, encouraging them to bring what they have learned back to their organisations, projects and public life.

Our support focuses primarily on two related initiatives. The first is Cross-Border Dialogue, an international platform connecting young leaders, experts and innovators from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and other countries. Participants work together on specific challenges in areas such as democracy, business, energy, security and sustainability, seeking solutions that can be put into practice.

The second part of our support will help launch a pilot leadership programme for talented young people under 30. The semester-long programme will offer workshops, lectures and mentoring, with contributions from international experts. It aims to help the younger generation think in a European context, engage in responsible dialogue and develop practical responses to societal and economic challenges.