Call for Applications

The EU Framework as a Model? Supranational Approaches to Combating Antisemitism

2- 4 June 2026 | Brussels, Belgium

EPNA’s three-day workshop brings together practitioners from Europe, the WANA region, and transatlantic and Abraham Accords contexts to examine EU institutional frameworks and explore what supranational policy approaches to antisemitism prevention can offer — and where they fall short.

Antisemitism does not respect national borders — and policies designed within them are not simply inadequate, they are structurally ill-suited to the challenge they aim to address. Effective responses must therefore operate at a level that matches the scale and reach of the problem. EU institutions offer a concrete and instructive example of supranational policymaking in action. But “instructive” cuts both ways: alongside genuine achievements, EU frameworks also reveal significant gaps — in implementation, in reach, and in their ability to incorporate the lived experience of practitioners working on the ground.

This is where networks like EPNA have a critical role to play — not only in engaging with existing policy frameworks, but in actively shaping them: accompanying policy development from early stages, surfacing what institutional approaches miss or distort, and insisting that practitioner knowledge be treated as a primary source rather than an afterthought.

The workshop will explore the following questions:

• How do EU institutions and frameworks function in the fight against antisemitism — and where do they fall short?
• What can actors inside and outside Europe learn from EU approaches, including from their failures and blind spots?
• How do the experiences of European organisations differ from those in the WANA region or the United States — and what do these differences reveal about the limits of EU-centric models?
• How can networks like EPNA accompany and critically inform policy processes, rather than simply responding to them?
• How can international cooperation strengthen supranational approaches — and how do we ensure that policy briefs reflect practitioner realities, not just institutional logics?

The programme combines expert input, working group sessions, and structured exchange, with a strong emphasis on practical relevance and constructive-critical policy discussion. A panel discussion on the second day forms a central element of the agenda. Participants will also advance the collaborative development of Policy Briefs — with EPNA’s cross-border practitioner network positioned as a key resource for grounding these documents in lived experience and diverse regional perspectives.

The workshop is realized in cooperation with the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS), CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe, and with the support of the European Commission’s Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life.

Date and Location

• Location: Brussels, Belgium
• Start: June 2, 1.00 pm
• End: June 4, 1.00 pm

Cost & Logistics

Different to prior workshops: Accommodation will be self-booked. We can reimburse a max of 282€ for the workshop incl. breakfast. Further details will follow with the confirmation.

Travel costs will be reimbursed by us. More detailed information about travel costs and reimbursement will be provided after the selection process. Please be aware that we will ask you to make your travel arrangements within 10 days after the confirmation and share your invoice with us.

Responsible for the Workshop

• Florian Eisheuer, Programme Lead
• Amina Ahmed, Programme Manager

Applications are open until 17 April. Please submit your application via the following form.

We aim to bring together a diverse and balanced group of participants. Selection will therefore take into account motivation, relevant expertise, and the geographic and organisational diversity of applicants.

This podcast episode is a recording of the panel discussion “Antisemitism & Racism – Intersectional Approaches and Civil Society Responses.” with Veronica Sartore (Yad be Yad, Germany), Eva Fortes (Barcelona City Council), and Enerida Isuf (Consell Municipal del Poble Gitano, tbc), and moderated by Victor Sorenssen (AEPJ).

The panel examines both the distinct features and the intersecting logics of antisemitism and racism, exploring where they overlap, where they diverge, and how these issues can be addressed together in analytically sound and practically meaningful ways. It also reflects on the opportunities and challenges of developing joint approaches and their implications for alliances within civil society.

For feedback or comments, write us.

***

Intro: Bethany Odd I Moderator: Victor Sorenssen | Speaker: Veronica Sartore, Eva Fortes, Enerida Isuf | Audio-Edit: Gal Yaron Mayersohn | Music: Hopeful Start by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License | Illustration: Saskia Schlarmann | Editing: Nihal Çalışır | Project Lead: Florian Eisheuer, Johanna Korneli, Jo Frank | © 2026 DialoguePerspectives e.V. | https://against-antisemitism.eu/ |⁠ Insta: dialogueperspectives_epna

Last year, we launched CrossLines as a pilot project. CrossLines is EPNA’s dedicated platform connecting journalists and media companies with practitioners from our network who are actively engaged in combating antisemitism. CrossLines strengthens responsible and differentiated reporting on antisemitism through training, exchange and practical tools for journalists.

Following the pilot’s success, CrossLines will be continued within EPNA’s work, reflecting the urgent need for responsible and differentiated reporting on antisemitism in the current societal context. We will keep you informed about upcoming developments, events and opportunities.

As part of our podcast series introducing the projects of this year’s European Alliance Programme (EAP), we continue to spotlight the people and ideas driving meaningful change across Europe.

In this episode, moderated by Nicole Schweiß, she talks with Réka Novák  about their project 9th of November Campaign – UNITED in Defiance — a week-long programme of online and offline activities designed to raise awareness of the dangers posed by extremism, fascism, and populism. Through exhibitions, workshops, and a coordinated online campaign, the initiative equips participants with the knowledge and tools to confront these threats and empowers individuals to take an active stance against antisemitism and populism.

Over the coming weeks, all EAP projects will be introduced here and featured in this podcast series, sharing insights into their ideas, challenges, and visions for a more inclusive future.

For feedback or comments, write us.

***

Intro: Bethany Odd I Moderator: Nicole Schweiß | Speaker: Réka Novák I Audio-Edit: Gal Yaron Mayersohn I Music: Hopeful Start by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License I Illustration: Saskia Schlarmann I Project Lead: Jo Frank, Johanna Korneli | © 2026 DialoguePerspectives e.V. | https://against-antisemitism.eu/⁠ I insta: dialogueperspectives_epna

Report on the EPNA Workshop “Intersections of Antisemitism and Racism: Similarities, Differences and Civil Society Responses”
10–12 February 2026, Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain)

The spring workshop of the European Practitioners Network against Antisemitism (EPNA) marked a significant step in the strategic development of the network. For the first time, EPNA opened its platform beyond Europe to include member organisations from the USA, Israel and the WANA region, thereby initiating a phase of sustained internationalisation.

The workshop pursued two overarching objectives:
first, to structurally anchor EPNA’s international opening as a permanent feature of the network; and second, to further develop shared political and civil society strategies for combating antisemitism across different political and societal contexts. In doing so, the workshop aimed to strengthen transregional cooperation among practitioners and to explore how civil society responses to antisemitism can be adapted to varying political frameworks and spaces for action.

The event was realised with funding from the German Federal Foreign Office and in close cooperation with EPNA’s member organisation Mozaika, a Barcelona-based Jewish platform and cultural hub.

EPNA and the Path towards Internationalisation

Over the past three years, EPNA has developed into a central civil society hub in Europe, bringing together 100 member organisations from across the continent. The network functions as a platform for knowledge exchange, best practices, educational tools and collaboration among practitioners working against antisemitism.

Until recently, this growth had taken place exclusively within Europe. Following the completion of EPNA’s “Associated Members” Programme in December 2025, a pilot phase designed to assess the potential of expanding the network beyond Europe, the Barcelona workshop marked the first in-person meeting with international members from the USA, Israel, Morocco and Tunisia. This moment represented the transition from a pilot phase to a permanent structural opening of the network.

Barcelona, with its long and complex history of cultural diversity and interconnected social struggles, provided an appropriate setting for this step and for reflecting on similarities and differences in civil society responses to antisemitism across regions.

Workshop Format and Core Activities

The workshop brought together more than 40 practitioners from different regions to reflect on both progress and setbacks in global efforts against antisemitism, to exchange perspectives shaped by distinct political environments, and to develop future-oriented cooperation within EPNA’s “European Alliance Programme”.

Participants attended expert lectures, engaged in structured working group sessions and took part in targeted networking formats. A dedicated networking session enabled participants to initiate new partnerships within the framework of the European Alliance Programme, laying the groundwork for future collaborative projects.

A key focus throughout the workshop was the integration of new international members into the existing network. Discussions centred on shared values, differing political contexts and varying civil society spaces for action, with the aim of establishing a common foundation for sustainable cooperation. An expert input by Evan Kapros, an EPNA member and representative of the local partner organisation Mozaika, on antisemitism and racism in Spain provided important historical and contemporary insights into the Catalan and Spanish context.

Working Groups and Policy Brief Development

In four dedicated working group sessions, participants initiated the first phase of a three-step process to develop policy briefs intended as advocacy tools. During the Barcelona workshop, each working group focused on producing a structured problem assessment for its respective topic, based on intensive discussions, the exchange of regional perspectives and the cooperative collection of information.

The working group topics are:

1. Holocaust education and combating Holocaust denial
2. Antisemitism in schools and universities; antisemitism among teenagers and young adults
3. The intersectionality of antisemitism, racism, conspiracy ideologies and misogyny
4. Online antisemitism, fake news and online radicalisation

The results developed in Barcelona will serve as the working basis for subsequent workshops in Brussels (June) and London (October), where the policy briefs will be further developed and finalised. Once completed, the briefs are intended to support advocacy efforts across multiple levels and contexts and are scheduled for publication at the end of the year.

Public Panel and Outreach

The workshop included a public panel discussion, which constituted the only programme component open to a broader audience and thus played a strategically important role in EPNA’s outreach efforts. The event was attended by approximately 60 participants from civil society organisations, political institutions, the Jewish community and the research community.

The evening was opened with remarks by Vice Consul Patrick Heinz from the German Consulate General in Barcelona and a scientific framing provided by researcher Marta Simó. Three panellists – Veronica Sartore (Yad be Yad, Germany), Enerida Isuf (Consell Municipal del Poble Gitano, Catalonia, Spain) and Dr Eva Fortes (Antiracism Advisory Council, Catalonia, Spain) – discussed the intersections of antisemitism and racism and shared perspectives shaped by their respective professional and political contexts. The discussion was moderated by Victor Sorenssen (AEPJ – European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage).

Outlook and Strategic Significance

The EPNA workshop “Intersections of Antisemitism and Racism: Similarities, Differences and Civil Society Responses” highlighted the strategic potential of internationalising civil society cooperation against antisemitism. While the process of international integration has only just begun, the workshop demonstrated the added value of transregional exchange and laid the foundation for long-term collaboration beyond Europe.

EPNA will remain at the core of these efforts. Together with its increasingly diverse membership and with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, the network will continue to strengthen civil society responses to antisemitism and contribute to shaping both European and global strategies in this field.

For further information, please contact:

Florian Eisheuer | EPNA Programme Lead
Email: practitionersnetwork@dialogueperspectives.org

“Antisemitism & Racism – Intersectional Approaches and Civil Society Responses”

Date: 11 February 2026
Time: 6.15 – 9.00 pm
Location: Barcelona (exact location tba on 10 February)

Antisemitism is understood here as a phenomenon with its own specific features and historical trajectories. At the same time, it does not exist in isolation but intersects in multiple ways with other ideologies, most notably racism.

The semi-public panel discussion examines both the parallels and the differences between antisemitism and racism, asking where their underlying logics overlap and where they diverge. It also explores how these issues can be addressed together in ways that are analytically sound and practically meaningful, as well as the opportunities and challenges involved in developing joint approaches and their implications for alliances within civil society.

Speakers:
• Veronica Sartore (Yad be Yad, Germany)
• Eva Fortes (Barcelona City Council)
• Enerida Isuf (Consell Municipal del Poble Gitano, tbc)

Moderation: Victor Sorenssen (AEPJ)

Register for the panel here:

European Alliance Programme Microgrants 2026 – Call for Applications

The European Practitioners Network against Antisemitism (EPNA) is launching the third round of microgrants within its European Alliance Programme.

EPNA provides financial support and project development assistance for innovative initiatives combating antisemitism.

We happily receive your applications between 15 February and 5 March. Applications submitted before or after this period cannot be considered.

1. Partnership Grant
   – Up to €10,000 per project
   – For joint initiatives by at least two organisations from different countries
   – For projects with clear European relevance
2. Initiative Grant
   – Up to €5,000 per project
   – For individual organisations planning projects with clear European relevance
   – This new format enables smaller, low-threshold initiatives to apply independently

Projects must be carried out between April and October 2026.

These grants are available to EPNA member organisations that actively participate in our activities, including regular attendance at our check-ins and workshops. All organisations committed to combating antisemitism are welcome to join the network.

We encourage applications from a wide range of organisations, including grassroots initiatives, NGOs, Jewish communities, sports clubs, memorial sites, and other civil society actors.

For further information on the application process, please get in touch with us at practitionersnetwork@dialogueperspectives.org

In this episode of our podcast series, we continue to highlight the people and ideas behind meaningful change across Europe as part of our coverage of European Alliance Programme projects.

Nicole Schweiß talks to Basya Gartenstein (GEZUBI) and Dragana Stojanovic (Haver Serbia) about their project, “The Upstanders Network”, which connects educators from Vienna and Belgrade to address issues such as antisemitism, Islamophobia, and discrimination against Roma and Sinti people, as well as broader social exclusion.
Listen as the two practitioners discuss the exchange’s highlights and how participants shared expertise, co-developed educational tools, and created a digital toolkit to promote inclusive and democratic values and teaching methods in schools in both cities.

Over the coming weeks, this podcast series will introduce more EAP projects, sharing insights into their ideas, challenges, and visions for a more inclusive future. Stay tuned!

If you have any feedback or comments, please get in touch.

***

Intro: Bethany Odd I Moderator: Nicole Schweiß | Speaker: Basya Gartenstein, Dragana Stojanovic I Audio-Edit: Gal Yaron Mayersohn I Music: Hopeful Start by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License I Illustration: Saskia Schlarmann I Project Lead: Jo Frank, Johanna Korneli | © 2026 DialoguePerspectives e.V. | https://against-antisemitism.eu/⁠ I Instagram: dialogueperspectives_epna | Shownotes: https://haver.rs

EPNA Barcelona Workshop 2026

“Voices Rising against Antisemitism – Confronting the Intersection of Antisemitism and Racism in the Iberian Context”

10 February – 12 February 2026 | Barcelona, Spain

Our first workshop in 2026 will take place in Barcelona, Spain, in cooperation with Mozaika.

Focus of the Workshop
We understand antisemitism as a phenomenon with its own specific features and historical trajectories. At the same time, it does not exist in isolation. It overlaps with other ideologies in multiple ways, most notably racism. The EPNA Barcelona workshop focuses on this intersection. The workshop explores the parallels and differences between antisemitism and racism. We will address questions such as: Where do their logics overlap, and where do they diverge? How can these issues be addressed together in analytically sound and practically meaningful ways? What opportunities and challenges arise from developing joint approaches? What impact do these approaches have on alliances within civil society?

Format and Programme
The workshop will include keynote addresses, a public panel discussion, and networking opportunities. As applications for the European Alliance Programme 2026 will open shortly after the workshop, dedicated time will be set aside to develop new forms of cooperation and to brainstorm ideas. We will also focus on expanding our work within the Associated Members Programme. This event marks our first in-person meeting and will officially welcome new member organisations from the US and the WANA region into our network.

Practical Information
The detailed programme and hotel information will be published soon.

Please note: Participation is limited and for EPNA members only. Please apply by January 4 2026, using the form below and including brief information on your motivation to participate in our event. You will receive confirmation by January 9.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

EPNA connects 170 members from 89 organisations in 23 European countries who lead the fight against antisemitism in Europe every day.

In 2025, the European Alliance Programme doubled to twenty projects, reflecting not only EPNA’s expanded capacity but also the accelerating demand from practitioners seeking resources and partnerships for transnational work. This growth indicates a maturing ecosystem where collaboration has moved from aspiration to operational reality. And the urgency driving our work has intensified considerably.

EPNA’s development trajectory suggests both accomplishment and remaining work. The network has established credibility as a platform where expertise is exchanged, partnerships are forged, and collective action is coordinated. It has demonstrated that practitioners across Europe’s diverse political and institutional landscapes can collaborate effectively despite differing contexts.

The challenge ahead is scaling our impact: expanding geographic reach beyond the network’s current Western and Central European focus; deepening engagement with Jewish communities whose participation remains essential; strengthening connections with governmental institutions while maintaining civil society autonomy; and building financial sustainability beyond short-term project funding. As antisemitism continues to evolve, so too must the structures designed to counter it.