Our mission
The missing voice of Central and Eastern Europe in Brussels.
The European Strategy Institute is an independent, Brussels-based think tank - or, more precisely, a "do-tank" - established as a Belgian non-profit association (AISBL).
Its mission is to buildcompelling, fact-based narratives at the heart of Europe and to give Central and Eastern Europe a stronger, more professional voice in the European debate.
Positioned at the centre of EU decision-making, the Institute will serve as a platform where policymakers, business leaders and experts come together to shape ideas that matter for the region’s competitiveness, security and long-term prosperity.
We create opportunities for meaningful discussion through roundtables, conferences, executive forums and expert meetings in Brussels and across Europe.
We engage with policymakers, institutions, industry leaders and stakeholder communities to contribute expertise, facilitate dialogue and support evidence-based policymaking.
The people behind ESI
Experience. Credibility. Leadership.
A European perspective.
The Institute brings together experience from business, European institutions, academia and technology.
Strategic Council
The Strategic Council is an independent advisory body bringing together distinguished leaders from European institutions, business, academia, international organisations and public policy. Its purpose is to contribute strategic insight, support high-level dialogue and provide guidance on the Institute's long-term priorities.
Elżbieta Bieńkowska
Former European Commissioner for the Internal Market and Industry; former Minister of Regional Development
Dominika Bettman
Former President of Microsoft Poland; former head of the Siemens group in Poland
Dr Ewa Łabno-Falęcka
Former Communications Director at Mercedes-Benz Poland; founder, Foundation for Development of Education for Industry
Piotr Wielgomas
Founder and President of BIGRAM
Prof. Piotr Wachowiak
Rector of SGH Warsaw School of Economics; Chairman of KRUE
Andrij Deszczyca
Former Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland, 2014–2022
Jacek Siewiera
Former Head of Poland’s National Security Bureau; Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council
Prof. Joanna Kulczycka
Professor at AGH University of Krakow; Head of the Circular Economy Division at IGSMiE PAN
Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński
Former Deputy Minister at the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment
Žygimantas Vaičiūnas
Former Minister of Energy of Lithuania; former Energy Attaché to the European Union
Sameer Chauhan
Director of the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), with over twenty years of experience across the public and private sectors, including senior roles at Deutsche Bank and Deloitte.
Programmes & insights
Strategic influence,
built over time.
ESI convenes leaders across business, finance and public institutions through trusted, long-term relationships.
Explore our work01Executive round tables
Closed-door conversations in Brussels that bring business leaders and public institutions together.
02Flagship programmes & Special projects
Multi-year initiatives connecting industry, policymakers and experts around Europe's most consequential strategic challenges.
03Reports & briefings
Independent analysis, developed with leading experts, turning regulatory and geopolitical developments into clear, actionable insight.
04Strategic support
Tailored advisory drawing on our network of experts to help organisations navigate Europe's evolving policy and security landscape.
05European Dialogue platform
Operating at the intersection of business, policy and European institutions, translating sector needs into a stronger Central and Eastern European voice on Europe's geopolitical agenda.
AREAS OF FOCUS
From analysis to action - for a stronger Central and Eastern Europe.
Partnerships
Partnerships built around ideas, shaped together
Building Partnerships for European Impact
ESI works with companies, institutions, universities, associations, foundations and public-sector organisations that share a commitment to strengthening Europe's future.
Executive team
Makes ESI's mission happen through daily engagement across Central and Eastern Europe.
