The Next Gen European Risk Council Gathers in Brussels for Its First In-Person Meeting
After a series of online kick-off sessions running through April and May 2026, the members of the Next Gen European Risk Council came together in person for the first time in Brussels on 21 and 22 May. The two-day meeting was a significant step for the initiative, transforming time dedicated to virtual introductions and preparatory work into a shared, in-person experience that set the tone for the Council’s work ahead.
The gathering brought together young professionals (under 35 years old) representing national risk management associations from nine European countries — a group selected to reflect the breadth and diversity of the European risk community and united by a common goal: to explore the future of the profession from a fresh, forward-looking perspective.
The agenda over the two days was both practical and substantive. Through a facilitated brainstorming process, participants dived into the themes and risk topics they want to explore over the coming months. The discussions were lively and at times wide-ranging: touching on emerging risks, evolving professional landscapes, and the broader forces shaping Europe’s risk environment. The conversations with perspectives from across Europe laid the groundwork for the Council to align on a shared research direction.
A highlight of the programme was a dedicated workshop delivered by Manya Lind, PhD, Senior Advisor and Futurist at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies. The session introduced participants to foresight methodologies and scenario planning: tools that will be central to the Council’s work as it looks to explore how emerging risks and trends may shape the European risk landscape in the years ahead.
The in-person meeting allowed for open, energetic exchange. Connections were made, ideas were explored, and by the close of the second day the group had a clearer sense of both its collective identity and the work that lies ahead.
Beyond the practical outcomes of the meeting, the gathering also marked the beginning of what FERMA hopes will become an ongoing platform for a new generation of European risk professionals. As the first cohort of the Next Gen European Risk Council, these young practitioners are not only contributing fresh perspectives to current discussions, but also helping shape the future direction of the risk management profession across Europe.
The Next Gen European Risk Council will continue its work through regular online meetings in the coming months, with a second in-person gathering planned later in the year. Members are expected to present a partial outcome of their work at the FERMA Forum 2026, with a further webinar planned for early 2027.
