A Third Way for Europe
Pragmatic Federalism as a Method to Land in the 21st Century: the Battle for the Energy, Digital and Defence Autonomies
THE FRAMEWORK OF THE CONFERENCE
In a period marked by geopolitical instability, economic fragmentation, technological disruption and environmental pressure, Europe can no longer afford strategic hesitation. As former President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi stated before the European Parliament: “It is time to do something.”
Europe must build the autonomy, capacity, and political strength necessary not merely to defend the status quo, but to help shape a new world order. This requires ideas, leadership, and institutional courage.
This has been the main point of the Seventh Conference on the Europe of the Future, which took place at the Certosa di Pontignano from 11–13 June 2026.
The Conference is conceived as a high-level problem-solving exercise. Its goal is not to describe Europe’s challenges, but to produce concrete proposals capable of strengthening the Union and modernising the multilateral architecture that increasingly shows signs of technological and political obsolescence.
We are convinced that neither the passive defence of existing structures nor a retreat to nation-states offers a viable path forward.
The Conference has focused on seven fundamental trade-offs that Europe must address in order to remain relevant and resilient. These questions will structure the Pontignano Manifesto:
From erosion to leadership: How can Europe transform the weakening of the rule-based global order into an opportunity to lead the creation of a new one?
Defence and political integration: Can common defence reshape the Union — and what level of investment is required to secure European interests?
Innovation and digital sovereignty: Which combination of innovation policy, capital markets integration, and growth-oriented rules can secure Europe’s digital leadership?
Energy and climate security: How can Europe reduce structural energy dependency while strengthening its climate strategy?
Reforming the EU budget: How can spending mechanisms — from agriculture and cohesion to housing — become more effective and future-oriented?
Demographic decline: Is there a credible strategy to address Europe’s demographic crisis and restore long-term dynamism?
Institutional reform and democratic legitimacy: What institutional changes are realistically achievable in the short term, and how can European citizens become active participants rather than passive observers?
For each of these seven challenges, the Conference has generated concrete proposals to be promoted, tested, and debated across Europe.
THE AGENDA
The Siena Conference unfolded over three days:
Day I – Thursday, 11 June - Certosa di Pontignano
Four Problem Setting / Solving Groups (PSSGs) presented several policy options addressing four structural dilemmas:
Is there a choice between democracy and efficiency? How can the EU become the lab to strengthen transnational democracy in a post international law world? How can we make the EU project popular again?
Is the trade-off between regulations and competitiveness unavoidable? Can rules drive growth (with a focus on sustainability and digital)?
How much does defending ourselves really cost? Explore smart ways to build the strength needed by strategic autonomy in an efficient way
The “pragmatic federalism” paradigm: Why? What? When? A proposal to “do the thing” that Europe needs without being trapped by the catch-22 constitutional treaty paradox
Each group began its work in advance through dedicated preparatory webinars.
Day II – Friday, 12 June - Certosa di Pontignano
Universities, think tanks, and political foundations from across the political spectrum debated six draft strategic documents structured around six pillars essential to Europe’s future:
Energy independence: accelerating energy transition to enhance European energy security (in partnership with ERG)
New priorities for the EU budget (1): redesign cohesion policies around social infrastructures and demography (in partnership with Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale)
New priorities for the EU budget (2): a vision for agriculture and food for the reform on the Common Agricultural Policy (in partnership with SDA Bocconi)
Drafting the European digital strategy in the AI era: a third way between USA and China and a time plan for achieving authonomy (in partnership with Re-Imagine Europa)
A European security council for a European security strategy (a proposal) (Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung)
Day III – Saturday, 13 June - Santa Maria della Scala
The draft of the Pontignano Manifesto has been discussed, finalised, and presented to the media. Follow-up thematic events will take place in the next months to sustain momentum and implementation.
The Conference is designed not as a one-off event, but as a catalyst for long-term European reform.
THE PARTNERS
Vision has convened the 7th Edition of the Siena Conference thanks to several partnership with important national and international institutions and actors. The scientific partners which support the PSSGs are the European University Institute, the University of Siena, LUISS University, Ludovika University of Public Service, and SDA Bocconi.
The Conference is conceived as a multipartisan platform for dialogue and problem-solving. It will bring together a network of European foundations, including the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Re-Imagine Europa.
A defining feature of this year’s edition is the prominent involvement of businesses and corporate partners. Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena is the Conference’s main corporate partner, alongside partnerships with Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale, ERG S.p.A., Domyn and Ecosia.
The Conference has also benefited from strong strategic media partnerships, including collaborations with The Conversation and RAI. In addition, its key themes has been followed and covered by leading national and international media outlets, including The Guardian, The Economist, the Financial Times and Il Sole 24 Ore.
About 100 people have participated at the Conference. They came from all EU countries and our most relevant neighborhood (UK, Turkey, USA, Africa, Middle East, Ukraine); the gender mix is a point of strength, and not fewer than one-third of the participants are under 30.
