Strengthening the Aspen Network Through Global Collaboration
Most of today’s defining challenges – from democratic resilience and economic security to technological transformation and geopolitical competition – do not stop at national borders. Recognizing that no single institution can address them alone, the Aspen International Partners network continues to deepen collaboration across its global community through the Aspen International Partners Global Fund.
The 2026 Global Fund supports a new generation of joint initiatives that bring together Aspen Institutes from Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia to exchange expertise, develop innovative policy ideas, and strengthen international networks. Several of these projects focus on Europe and the transatlantic relationship, reflecting the region’s rapidly evolving security, economic, and democratic landscape.
Aspen Germany contributes to three of these collaborative initiatives, leading one project and partnering in two others.
Connecting Futures: Information Integrity in Europe’s Next Decade
Aspen Germany leads Connecting Futures, a forward-looking initiative that brings together twenty young journalists, fact-checkers, content creators, and digital innovators from the EU enlargement countries, including the Western Balkans, as well as Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Through a series of foresight workshops, virtual exchanges, and a study tour to Berlin, participants explore how information ecosystems may evolve over the coming decade and develop ideas to strengthen democratic resilience and information integrity. The project is implemented together with Aspen Central Europe, Aspen Kyiv, Aspen Romania, Aspen UK, and Aspen Digital and will culminate in a policy publication and a lasting alumni network.
Aspen European Strategic Forum
Led by Aspen Romania, the Aspen European Strategic Forum brings together policy makers, experts, and thought leaders from across Europe to discuss the continent’s evolving security architecture. By connecting perspectives from Eastern and Western Europe, the initiative seeks to strengthen strategic dialogue on defense, resilience, and Europe’s role in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. The 2026 Forum will convene in Kyiv and Brussels.
Economic Security and the Economics of Security
The third initiative, led by Aspen Institute Italia, examines one of the defining policy debates of our time: the growing intersection of economics and national security. Bringing together experts from Europe and the United States, the project explores issues such as trade, industrial policy, critical technologies, supply chains, and economic resilience. Its findings will be presented at the Aspen European Strategic Forum.
The 2026 Global Fund portfolio also reflects the diversity of the Aspen International Partners network. Beyond the three above-mentioned initiatives, the Fund supports several other projects such as the Aspen Kyiv–UK Leadership Bridge, connecting emerging leaders from Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how the Aspen International Partners network is evolving into an even more connected global community. By working across institutions, regions, and disciplines, the Aspen Global Fund enables collaborative responses to challenges that increasingly require international perspectives and shared solutions.
