Seminars
Where public sector worker representatives across Europe come together to learn and make their voice count.
EU enlargement and young workers in the Western Balkan
At a Eurofedop seminar held in Banja Luka (19–21 February 2026), trade union representatives from the Balkan region gathered to address the role of young workers in European integration. Experts, youth organizations, and institutional representatives — including from Bosnia's Directorate for European Integration and the European Training Foundation — led open, self-critical discussions that highlighted a shared urgency: trade unions must genuinely involve young people in leadership and decision-making, not just symbolically. Participants explored the realities facing Gen Z workers — precarious employment, digital communication, and demands for authenticity and concrete results — while emphasizing that unions need to modernize their outreach, strengthen collective bargaining where youth are prevalent, and actively engage in policy-making through advocacy and collaboration with authorities, NGOs, and media. The overarching message was clear: investing in young people today is essential for credible, representative, and future-proof trade union organizations.
Strengthening Security and Defence in Europe
The seminar "Strengthening Security and Defence in Europe," held on 29-31 October 2025 in Gouda, The Netherlands, brought together trade union representatives from all security fields for a comprehensive exchange on the most pressing security challenges facing Europe today. Opened by EUROFEDOP President Norbert Schnedl, who underlined the enduring importance of defending freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights, the seminar featured panels and discussions covering defence challenges, cybersecurity, migration, organised crime, border management, and the digitalisation of criminal justice. Distinguished speakers including Brigadier General Lenny Hazelbag, Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens, legal adviser Liina Lumiste and Associate Professor Valentina Faggiani shared knowledge and real-life examples of cross-border and cross-sector cooperation. Under the skilled moderation of Femke Beumer, participants engaged in lively debates on issues ranging from military service and HR investment to police cooperation and the role of artificial intelligence in crime — reaffirming the vital role of civil servants and trade unions in building a more resilient and secure Europe.
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Study visit to KSSH (Albania)
On 24-25 February 2025, EUROFEDOP Secretary General Bert Van Caelenberg and Board Member Boro Veligdenov conducted a study visit to KSSH (Federation of Transport and Telecommunications) in Tirana, Albania, following KSSH's application for EUROFEDOP membership submitted at its Congress in October 2024. The visit included introductory meetings with Secretary General Tonin Gjinaj and the federation's sectoral delegation, with discussions focusing on the Post and Telecom sectors, the future impact of new technologies such as drones and robots on parcel delivery, and the importance of structured social dialogue and strong union membership. On the second day, the delegation met with Albanian Post CEO Ardit Demiri, who outlined recent and upcoming wage improvements for employees, and with Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enkelejda Muçaj, who reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Post sector and its 2,500 employees. The visit concluded with agreement on continued cooperation, including EUROFEDOP's participation in the PostEurop business forum in Tirana in October 2025, and its findings will be discussed at the next Daily Management Board meeting.
Fair and collaborative usage of AI for trade unions and social dialogue
EUROFEDOP members from across Europe gathered in Bucharest, Romania, from 8 to 10 May for a seminar on the fair and collaborative use of Artificial Intelligence in trade union work and social dialogue. Opened by President Dr. Norbert Schnedl and Vice-President Prof. Viorel Rotila, who both emphasised the importance of shaping AI in the interest of workers rather than allowing it to replace genuine human interaction, the seminar featured a rich line-up of expert speakers. Prof. Rotila, Dr. Christina Colclough, Prof. George Azzopardi, Laurentiu Lungu and Prof. Dr. Phoebe Moore each brought distinct perspectives — ranging from strategic union use of AI and concrete digital tools, to the critical importance of governance, transparency, and protecting workers' privacy and agency. Participants then worked in language-based groups to reflect on the presentations and identify priorities, before presenting their conclusions on the final day, which included calls for AI transparency, stronger regulation, better union education, and the preservation of human decision-making as a non-negotiable principle.
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Special project for workers’ organisations in the EU candidate countries – dispute resolution
On 21-22 October 2024, EUROFEDOP members from the Western Balkans region and beyond gathered in Podgorica, Montenegro, at the meeting centre of USSCG, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro, for a seminar focused on EU accession and dispute resolution. Opened by USSCG Secretary General Srdja Keković and EUROFEDOP Vice-President Viorel Rotila, who underlined the vital link between strong trade unions, social dialogue and democracy, the seminar featured a diverse range of expert contributions covering topics such as labour mobility upon EU accession, the state of social dialogue in Serbia, capacity building, and the reform of Social and Economic Councils throughout the EU enlargement process. An interactive "Ask the Expert" poster session encouraged lively engagement on themes including trade unions and civil society, labour dispute resolution, and amicable settlement of disputes. The seminar closed with a panel of concrete experiences from union representatives from Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia and Slovakia, followed by a creative assignment on EU accession.
5th ERGP Stakeholder Forum
On 26 September 2024, representatives from key stakeholders of the European postal sector gathered in Brussels for the ERGP Stakeholder Forum, dedicated to discussing the future development of the sector and the need for a new postal regulatory framework. Contributions from ERGP Chair Dan Sjoblom, DG Internal Market Director Merete Clausen, and researcher Daniel Vencovsky set the scene for wide-ranging debates on competitiveness, sustainability, technological change, and shifting user demand, with a broad panel of stakeholders including trade unions, postal operators and major commercial players exchanging views on the future regulatory framework. A particularly compelling final session addressed the security, safety and resilience of postal services, featuring a video presentation by Ukrposhta CEO Igor Smelyansky on maintaining full postal operations under wartime conditions in Ukraine. The Forum was concluded by ERGP Vice-Chair Petros Galides and Guillaume Roty of the European Commission, who both underlined the vital importance of transparent stakeholder dialogue in shaping a future-proof regulatory framework for the postal sector. EUROFEDOP was represented at the meeting by Secretary General Bert Van Caelenberg.
Eurofedop Seminar - The challenges of using AI in the public sector
EUROFEDOP members from across Europe gathered at the Energy Discovery Centre in Tallinn, Estonia, on 19-20 April for a seminar dedicated to Artificial Intelligence and its consequences, opportunities and threats for public services in Europe. Opened by President Norbert Schnedl and featuring former Estonian Minister of IT and Economy Kristjan Järvan, the seminar offered participants a rich insight into e-Estonia and the country's pioneering approach to digitalisation and e-governance, with presentations by Government Chief Data Officer Ott Velsberg, consultant Jana Paju-Hamburg, and Digital Transformation Adviser Erika Piirmets at the impressive e-Estonia Briefing Centre. Expert speakers including Dr. Klaus Schömann, MEP Axel Voss — who joined via live video to discuss the EU AI Act — Simon Taes and EPU President Rainer Wendt addressed the potentials and risks of AI in public services, the importance of ethical and transparent use, workers' involvement in AI governance, and the role of human decision-making in safety and security. The seminar combined stimulating debate with a memorable visit to Tallinn's historic Town Hall, leaving participants with much food for thought on how elements of the Estonian model might be adapted across Europe in the interest of both citizens and public service employees.
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