Since 2007, the ESDN has been organizing thematic Workshops in order to facilitate informal exchange of standpoints and experiences between ESDN Members. This section of the website provides a one-stop-shop documentation of all ESDN Workshops so far. Please click on one of the Workshops for more details. Some photo albums can also be found below.
The ESDN Workshop took place in Vienna on 28-29 May! The title of the workshop was “Building a Resilient Europe: Sustainable Development and Culture in focus”. It was organized by the ESDN in cooperation withs the Austrian Federal Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management and the Austrian Federal Chancellery.
Europe’s resilience in the face of global challenges depends on the synergy between sustainable development, democratic values, and collective security. This workshop delved into how cultural diversity, innovative sustainability practices, and robust democratic institutions can fortify Europe’s ability to navigate crises and foster long-term stability and security. By exploring the interplay between culture, environmental stewardship, social cohesion, and security, we aimed to identify actionable strategies that empower communities, strengthen governance, and build a more resilient and united Europe.
The agenda and discussion paper can be found below.
The ESDN Youth Workshop 2026 will take place on 12-15 August in Vienna! The application process will start soon, and we encourage UN Youth Delegates who are not yet part of the ESDN Youth Network to contact our ESDN Youth Support Team for more information on how to join the Network and apply for the Youth Workshop.
This year's theme will center around resilience and the topics under this broad term will be decided by our Youth Members.
The ESDN’s 2nd Young Civil Servants Workshop took place in Luxembourg on the 18th and 19th of March 2026. The title of the workshop was “Bringing Sustainable Development and the SDGs further in Public Administrations: Empowering Young Civil Servants”. This Workshop iwas organized in cooperation with the Luxembourgish Ministry for the Environment, Climate, and Biodiversity.
The ESDN recognizes that given the complex geopolitical challenges taking place, and the rapid approach of 2030, the need to push for increased attention on sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda, and the SDGs has never been greater. One way in which we can do that is to ensure that the next generation of civil servants meet with one another to exchange on good practices they are involved with within their public administration. With this Workshop, we brought together inspiring examples of governments continuing to take actions for sustainability and the SDGs and pair that with concrete examples of young civil servants affecting change and impact within their government. We had an intense two days of keynotes, panel discussions and exchange spaces, which brought together around 35 civil servants from 12 European countries.
The agenda, discussion paper, and presentations can be found below. An ESDN Policy Note will be made available as soon as possible.
Paris Climate Agreement, the Science-Policy-Interface, and their Effects on the Civil Service
Andrew Ferrone, Director for International und European Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Luxembourg
Holistic Sustainability Assessment and Technical Support Instrument
Saara Tamminen, Chief Specialist, Sustainability Evaluations, Strategy Department, Finnish Prime Minister’s Office, Finland
Creating Experts of Sustainable Development in Public Administration
Adriana Mincă, Councilor, Department of Sustainable Development – Prime Minister’s Office, Romania
Luxembourg Sovereign Sustainability Bond
Lara Jacoby, Advisor for Sustainable Finance, Ministry of Finance, Luxembourg
Table 1: Austria – Working Across Levels: Austria’s Sustainability Coordination Model
Hannah Jennewein, ESDN Advisory Board Member, Policy Officer for Sustainable Development, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management, Austria
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Melina Matzawrakos, ESDN Advisory Board Member, Policy Officer for Sustainable Development and Participation, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management, Austria
Louis Bleser, Climate Change Project Manager - Climate Social Plan, Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Luxembourg
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Nicholas O’Connell, Project Manager, Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Luxembourg
Table 3: Wales: Well-being of Future Generations Act
Philip Jillesjö Löf, Climate, Environment & Future Generations Policy Lead, Welsh Government, Wales
Table 1: Germany - Crimes that Affect the Environment: Threats to a Sustainable Future
Tim Rauschenberg, Policy Officer, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany
Elena Metzdorf, Project Manager, Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Luxembourg
Table 3: Luxembourg - ‘Once Only’ as a Driver for Administrative Simplification - Proactive, Data Driven Public Services for Sustainable Governance
Sven Oostvogels, Public Data Manager, Ministry for Digitalization, Luxembourg
A look at the history of the ESDN reveals that ESDN Workshops have played a prominent role in facilitating networking between European SD practitioners and policy advisors. This section of the website provides a one-stop-shop documentation of all ESDN Workshops so far. Please click on one of the Workshops for more details:
