Friends of Europe podcasts

In this episode of Policy Voices , we unpack the outcome of Hungary’s 12 April 2026 landslide election, examining its impact domestically, across Europe and the Europe-made brand of far-right populism. We ask what Péter Magyar’s victory means not only for the country’s political future, but for Europe as a whole. Host Thomas Van Vynckt is joined by Gábor Iklódy, Senior Fellow for Peace, Security a...

Electricity grids have become the backbone of Europe’s energy transition, yet the infrastructure needed to meet rising demand, decarbonise industry, and strengthen energy security remains under pressure. In this episode, we explore the challenges, bottlenecks and opportunities shaping Europe’s grids today. Host Davide Sofia speaks with Matt Ersin, Senior Director at Fastned and Chair of the Green...

Methane is often overlooked in climate debates, yet it is a powerful driver of global warming. Far more potent than CO₂ in the short term, cutting methane emissions today can slow warming within the next decade. For Europe, tackling methane is not just about the climate: it also strengthens energy security, improves transparency in the energy system, and reduces waste across oil, gas and coal supp...

Host Thomas Van Vynckt, Head of Security and Defence at Friends of Europe, is joined by Myroslava Gongadze and Gábor Iklódy, Senior Fellows at Friends of Europe. Myroslava is a Ukrainian-US national whose husband was abducted and murdered in 2000, an event that prompted a career of advocacy and campaigning for press freedom in Ukraine, Europe and the US. Gábor is a Hungarian diplomat who was force...

This is the tenth and final episode of Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground, a podcast series from Debating Europe, Friends of Europe’s citizen engagement unit. Europe is feeling fractured. Whether it’s politics, climate, tech, or trust in institutions, more and more people are feeling left out, unheard, and uncertain about the future. But what if we could flip the script? What if inste...

What do we talk about when we talk about brain drain? What actually makes a highly skilled person choose to move away from their country? Wha makes them decide to never go back? Brain drain has been one of the most hotly debated issues when it comes to the future of the Western Balkans. In this episode, we start exploring the personal experiences and choices, as well as the systemic obstacles that...

Twenty-five years after the Women, Peace and Security agenda was enshrined through Resolution 1325, the face of war looks completely different. And so does the face of peace. Breaking new ground, women are now involved in negotiating peace and independence – more than ever before. And outside the physical realm, women find space for themselves in digital security. Host Sabina Șancu and Eugenia Ros...

While EU countries debate the role of artificial intelligence in our lives and economy, China has embedded AI at every level, from the home to the streets and the factories. We wanted to find out more about this new shift in China’s role in the global technology sector and the philosophy behind its regulation model. Podcast host Sabina Șancu and programme executive Francisco Lopez explored the dif...

This is the ninth episode of Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground, a podcast series from Debating Europe, Friends of Europe’s citizen engagement unit. Europe is feeling fractured. Whether it’s politics, climate, tech, or trust in institutions, more and more people are feeling left out, unheard, and uncertain about the future. But what if we could flip the script? What if instead of fuel...

As geopolitics shakes our perception of the world on a nearly daily basis, how does this translate in the tangible terms of the economy? Are states that seem at odds with each other actually avoiding investing in each other, or are they in fact doing business together? And are they doing so more than they did before the current tensions, or less? Host Sabina Șancu and programme executive Francisco...

When we talk about geopolitics, we tend to look around ourselves at eye level. We look at countries and borders, institutions and politicians, trade and wealth, identity and community... Recently, we’ve also started looking down, as the rush for resources such as rare earths has entered the conversation. Yet, do most people look up, especially now after the space race has subsided? This episode br...

On October 16th, Friends of Europe organised its annual State of Europe high-level roundtable, where many of the continent’s brightest minds got together to debate issues ranging from geopolitics to the single market, enlargement to defense, climate and innovation. This occasion also marked the launch of the new Jacques Delors Friends of Europe Foundation. On the margins of this event and with a n...

Europe is experiencing a decisive moment in terms of its energy: it is at the crossroads of fossil fuels and renewables, as well as in a delicate geopolitical balance with the countries who have the resources to supply energy. Trying to wean ourselves off of Russian gas, is it a safe bet to go for American energy instead? Host Sabina Șancu spoke to MEP Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (France, S&D) about th...

This is the eighth episode of Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground, a podcast series from Debating Europe, Friends of Europe’s citizen engagement unit. Europe is feeling fractured. Whether it’s politics, climate, tech, or trust in institutions, more and more people are feeling left out, unheard, and uncertain about the future. But what if we could flip the script? What if instead of fue...

Twenty-five years after the Women, Peace and Security agenda was enshrined through Resolution 1325, the face of war looks completely different. What started off as an initiative from a handful of women in conflict-torn countries was at first hard to understand for the international community. Yet, as it was getting incorporated by Western countries, it also started to lose its original aims. In a...

As the uptake of Artificial Intelligence (AI) increases in many sectors of the economy, all of that infrastructure has to be supported somehow: that is where data centres come in. The most advanced economies are rushing to scale up their digital infrastructure, yet industry laggard Europe is also behind in this aspect, compared to places like the US and China. These massive facilities use great am...

This is the seventh episode of Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground, a podcast series from Debating Europe, Friends of Europe’s citizen engagement unit. In this episode, we’re looking into the nature of polarisation, with the occasion of the International Day of Democracy (15 September). Europe is feeling fractured. Whether it’s politics, climate, tech, or trust in institutions, more an...

Twenty-five years after the Women, Peace and Security agenda was enshrined through Resolution 1325, the face of war looks completely different. New geopolitical configurations, new ideological visions, technology and social media have made the war in Ukraine to be decisive for Europe’s future - and the most documented war in history. Women are no longer just victims of war: they are active partici...

This is the sixth episode of Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground, a podcast series from Debating Europe, Friends of Europe’s citizen engagement unit. In this episode, we’re unravelling equity’s many facets, analysing this delicate moment in time and looking for a stronger tomorrow. Europe is feeling fractured. Whether it’s politics, climate, tech, or trust in institutions, more and mor...

This is the fifth episode of Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground, a podcast series from Debating Europe, Friends of Europe’s citizen engagement unit. This episode features a recording from the public session of our European Young Leaders #EYL40 seminar in Bucharest, a discussion on rebuilding trust in a polarised society. Europe is feeling fractured. Whether it’s politics, climate, tec...

This is the fourth episode of Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground, a podcast series from Debating Europe, Friends of Europe’s citizen engagement unit. In this episode, we’re discussing how citizens can influence climate policy. Europe is feeling fractured. Whether it’s politics, climate, tech, or trust in institutions, more and more people are feeling left out, unheard, and uncertain a...

This is the third episode of Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground, a podcast series from Debating Europe, Friends of Europe’s citizen engagement unit. In this episode, we’re discussing the EU’s enlargement, with a particular view to the Western Balkans. Europe is feeling fractured. Whether it’s politics, climate, tech, or trust in institutions, more and more people are feeling left out,...

This is the second episode of Overcoming Polarisation: Paths to Common Ground, a new podcast series from Debating Europe, Friends of Europe’s citizen engagement unit. In this episode, we’re discussing distrust, disinformation and a dissonant future in the EU, NATO and Ukraine. Europe is feeling fractured. Whether it’s politics, climate, tech, or trust in institutions, more and more people are feel...

All eyes were on The Hague this week, as a historic NATO summit concluded on Wednesday with new commitments to increase defence spending. US president Donald Trump dominated the conversation and managed to do what many previous US presidents had more or less openly hoped to achieve: get the allies to pay up more. The 32 members of the alliance agreed to a steep hike in defense spending, up to 5% o...

***This show is a re-run*** While all eyes are now turning to the most recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, the situation in Gaza continues as dire as ever. On Monday alone, more than 30 people were killed while trying to get food at an aid site. In Brussels, the European Union is reviewing its trade and cooperation agreement with Israel. Meanwhile, thousands o...