Deadline: July 24, 2026
Applications are open for the InvigoratEU Contest 2026. “What future for the European continent?” is a public contest exploring what a wider European Union could mean for Europe’s security, competitiveness, and citizens. They welcome submissions in three categories: written essays, poetry, and audiovisual works, responding to the theme of Europe’s future and EU enlargement.
TEPSA’s contest “What future for the European continent?” is an invitation to change that. Whatever your background, wherever you are from, if you have a vision for what Europe could become, they want to hear it. Share your ideas and visions through three creative categories: poetry, written essays, and audiovisual works, and contribute to a broader public conversation on the opportunities that a wider EU can bring.
Benefits
- Three winners of the contest will be invited to the InvigoratEU final conference on 4-5 November 2026, taking place in Brussels, with travel and accommodation covered up to €500.
- Your work will be featured at the InvigoratEU consortium meeting and promoted by TEPSA online, seen by leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners within the field of EU enlargement.
Eligibility
- The contest is open for students, young professionals, and anyone interested in the future of Europe and EU enlargement;
- Aged 18 and above;
- All nationalities and residencies are welcome to participate.
Requirements
Written Essays: Original written essays (maximum 2000 words) should respond to one of the three guiding questions below:
- How can a wider European Union contribute to Europe’s security and resilience?
- How can enlargement help build a more competitive and self-sufficient European continent?
- How can enlargement create tangible benefits for everyday citizens in both current and future Member States?
Poetry
- Original poems should explore, in your own voice, what a wider European Union could mean for Europe’s security, competitiveness, or its citizens. Poems should not exceed 500 words, reflecting the author’s own ideas and creativity.
Audiovisual works
- Original audiovisual pieces should be up to 2 minutes in length. They welcome all formats (e.g. interviews, vlogs, animation, or other creative video formats), and submissions can be recorded with any equipment you have.
- Your submission should engage with the theme of Europe’s future and/or EU enlargement. You may appear in the video yourself, feature other participants, or rely entirely on visuals, narration, or animation.
Application
Send your submission to [email protected] with the subject line “InvigoratEU public contest_LAST NAME” by 24 July 2026.
For more information, visit InvigoratEU Contest.
