By EPA

A New Chapter for EPA: Strengthening the Voice of Parents Across Europe

We are thrilled to share some momentous news that marks a historic turning point for our association. As we move into 2026, the European Parents’ Association has officially entered into a Strategic Grant Agreement (SGA) with the European Commission under the Erasmus+ program.

This partnership is a profound recognition of a truth we have championed for years: parents are vital partners in shaping the European Education Area.

"For EPA, this is more than just funding; it is a commitment to growth, professionalization, and deep-rooted inclusion." 

What This Means for Families and Communities

With the launch of our new project EURO-PARENTS, we are scaling up our operations to ensure that grassroots family experiences directly inform EU policy. Over the next two years, you will see EPA transforming its capabilities:

  • Expanding our reach: We are actively reaching out to underrepresented regions and minority groups across Europe.
  • Accessibility & multilingualism: We believe language should never be a barrier to advocacy. Our website and core toolkits will therefore be available in at least 4 European languages plus Simple English.
  • Equipping parents for the future: We are delivering concrete resources on the issues that matter most to modern households - from digital literacy and AI in education to youth mental health, vocational training and education, and green skills.
  • Collecting good practices: We are launching an online EPA Knowledge Base to powerfully bring our members’ proven success stories and good practices out into the world, so that others do not have to reinvent the wheel.
  • Training more parents: We are stepping up our training delivered to members and grass-roots communities. 

Building a More Family-Friendly Europe

Our goal is simple: to cultivate a stronger, more inclusive EPA that provides invaluable resources to national communities and projects a proud, unified voice in Brussels.

Whether you are a parent looking for guidance, a national organization looking to collaborate, or an ally in education, you are part of this journey. Together, we are co-creating the future of European education. 

🔍 Explore the Full Strategy

Want to see the specific pillars, measurable targets, and formal governance structures driving this initiative?

 

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By EPA

Bratislava 2025: A Look Back at the EPA General Assembly and International Conference

The European Parents’ Association (EPA), in collaboration with the Slovak Council of Parents’ Associations (SRRZ), hosted an enriching General Assembly (GA) and International Conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, from October 17th to 19th, 2025.

Under the central theme, “Development of Education from 2026 to 2030 in Slovakia and Worldwide” , the program was filled with vital discussions, expert lectures (including from OECD ), and unique cultural experiences. Discover for yourself in pictures on these pages!

We are excited to announce that during the General Assembly, Stefano Crico from Italy was elected as the new EPA President, and two new Board Members were elected from Spain and Cyprus.

 

🏆 Discover the Winner of the 2025 ALCUIN Award!

 

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By EPA

Proud to reveal our 40 Years Anniversary Book

40 Years of Parent Representation, of partnering for a common objective! This book is dedicated to all children. They are the red threa, inspiration and driving force behind our work – past, present and future. We thank all our wonderful members and partners for this common journey.

Download the book in digital from HERE .

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By EPA

A New Chapter: Highlights from the May General Assembly

The momentum continued on May 24th as EPA members gathered for their General Assembly in Brussels. This assembly marked another milestone,as Victor Petuya ended his last mandate as EPA President and was succeeded by Elena Odysseos, a long-stading Member of the Board. Amongst the other highlights:

A warm welcome to the National Federation of Romanian Parents – Edupart (FNPE) as our newest member! Learn more about EDUPART.

Thank you Claudio Masotti for all your energy, time and dedication to EPA! You have been an extraordinary Ambassador!

Thank you Silvija Stanić for your time and dedication on the EPA Board! We hope to see you back soon!

“The miracle of Digital Technology: Beyond benefits and fascination, children’shealth and development are at risk. How we can protect our children.” – Keynote by Dr Stella Canna Michaelidou, Expert on the Impact of toxic Factors on Children‘s Health & Food Safety, President of the National Committee on Environment & Children’s Health Cyprus (More).

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By EPA

A Message from our new President

Dear Members, Parents, Partners & Friends,

It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share my first message with you as the newly elected President of the European Parents’ Association.
The recent 40th Anniversary International Conference and General Assembly in Brussels were truly inspiring events, marking a significant milestone in our collective journey.

 

Witnessing so many of you gathered, reflecting on four decades of dedicated parent representation and actively shaping the future of education and family policy across Europe, was a powerful experience. The energy, commitment, and passion you bring to advocating for parents and children are the very essence of what makes EPA such a vital and impactful organization.

 

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our previous President, Victor Petuya, for his outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication. We are thrilled that Victor will continue to contribute to our mission as an EPA Ambassador. I also warmly welcome the National Federation of Romanian Parents – Edupart (FNPE) as our newest full member. Your presence strengthens our diverse network and enhances our collective voice.

 

Our 40th Anniversary Conference, “Celebrating 40 Years of Advocacy: Shaping our Common Future,” was a resounding success, and I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) for their generous hosting and invaluable partnership. Their support was instrumental in creating such a memorable and impactful event.

 

Our deepest appreciation goes to every single one of our speakers for making this event so enriching. A huge thank you, in particular, to Gwang-Chol Chang from UNESCO for providing such a memorable and inspiring keynote speech!

 

We are also deeply grateful to our esteemed sponsors, Santillana, Concept Hotel Management, GEME and Lost in Translation?, whose contributions were essential in bringing our vision to life. A special thank you also goes to our many partners and networks on the EU stage who joined us, enriching the discussions and strengthening our collective voice.

 

As we look ahead, I am filled with optimism for the opportunities that lie before us. Building on the strong foundations laid, we will continue to champion the crucial role of parents, advocate for their voices at every level, and foster a Europe where families and children thrive.

 

On behalf of the entire EPA Board, I wish you all a wonderful summer holiday, filled with joy, relaxation, and precious moments with your families. We look forward to a rich autumn of continued collaboration and advocacy. Mark your calendars for our next General Assembly in Bratislava, Slovakia, from October 17-19 (preceded by the World Youth Art & Folklore Days in Bratislava on October 16!). Our Slovakian member, SRRZ, has done everything to organize an outstanding and very special program for us, and we can’t wait to see you there!

With warm regards,

 

Elena Odysseos

President, European Parents’ Association

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By EPA

Celebrating Four Decades of Impact & Charting Our Future

May was a truly momentous month as our community convened in Brussels for two power-packed days of celebration, collaboration, and strategic planning. We marked our 40th Anniversary with an inspiring international conference and held a pivotal General Assembly, welcoming new leadership and a new member to our growing family.

A Grand Fortieth: 4 Decades of Shaping Our Common Future

On May 23rd, the European Parents’ Association proudly celebrated its 40th Anniversary International Conference, “40 Years of Parent Representation – Achievements and Challenges,” at the prestigious European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), a key player for Civil Society in European policy making. This landmark event brought 120 attendees from over 20 countries, alongside key stakeholders, policymakers, and civil society actors, to reflect on EPA’s profound impact and to collectively envision the future of education and family policy in Europe.

 

 

See full event recording – click
Read more about event – click
Members’ & Partners’ Voices – click
LEarn more about the EESC – click

Our heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors who made our 40th Anniversary celebrations possible:

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