Ein resilientes Europa: IT-Souveränität in Zeiten unsicherer Allianzen
- Date
- 2026-02-05
- Location
- Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Host
- Personal
About this event
Europe’s digital resilience is no longer an abstract policy topic. As geopolitical tensions rise and long-standing alliances feel less predictable, questions about who controls our infrastructure, platforms, data, and critical software have become immediate, practical, and deeply political. This meetup creates space to discuss what IT sovereignty really means for Europe right now, and what it could require from the people building, governing, and relying on technology every day. About the Event This is an in-person conversation in Berlin focused on a timely and increasingly urgent theme: how Europe can strengthen its IT sovereignty in an era of uncertain alliances. Rather than treating sovereignty as a slogan, the event is designed to explore the concrete trade-offs behind it, from infrastructure and procurement to open technologies, dependency risks, and long-term resilience. Expect a community-oriented evening that brings together people who care about technology, policy, digital independence, and Europe’s strategic future. The format is well suited to thoughtful discussion: a chance to hear perspectives, test assumptions, and compare practical approaches with others who are paying close attention to the same questions. This is not just for specialists in one narrow domain. The topic touches public institutions, startups, enterprise teams, civic technologists, researchers, and anyone thinking seriously about how digital systems shape autonomy and security. If you’ve been looking for a room where this issue can be discussed with nuance and urgency, this event is built for that. What to Expect The evening is structured as a meetup and networking gathering, which means you can expect a mix of shared discussion and informal conversation. The focus is not on passive attendance; it is on engaging with the topic, meeting others with overlapping interests, and leaving with a sharper view of the landscape. Likely themes of discussion may include: What IT sovereignty means in practical terms for Europe today How dependence on non-European vendors, platforms, and cloud infrastructure affects resilience The relationship between security, interoperability, open standards, and strategic autonomy Where public policy, procurement, and technical decision-making intersect How organizations can think about reducing critical dependencies without oversimplifying the problem You should also expect space for direct exchange. Some attendees may come from technical backgrounds, others from policy, research, civil society, or business. That mix is part of the value: the strongest conversations on sovereignty often happen when implementation realities meet broader strategic thinking. Because this is an in-person Berlin event, there is also a strong local community dimension. It’s a chance to build relationships with people in the city who are thinking seriously about Europe’s digital future, whether from inside institutions, companies, or independent networks. Why Attend If you work in or around technology, this topic affects more of your decisions than it might seem at first glance. Questions about hosting, tooling, procurement, cybersecurity, regulation, governance, and vendor lock-in all connect back to the broader issue of resilience. This event helps bring those connections into focus. You’ll gain value from attending if you want to move beyond vague talking points. The real conversation is not simply whether sovereignty matters, but what forms of sovereignty are realistic, where dependencies are acceptable, and how resilience can be strengthened without isolating innovation or collaboration. That kind of discussion is most useful when it happens with others who are wrestling with the same tensions. Attendees can expect takeaways such as: A clearer language for discussing European digital resilience Better insight into the risks and trade-offs behind current technology choices Exposure to perspectives outside your usual professional bubble New connections with people who care about infrastructure, policy, governance, and long-term strategic capacity A stronger sense of where community dialogue can support practical action There is also value in simply being in the room. Some events give you information; others help you understand where the conversation is moving. This meetup aims to do both by bringing a timely issue into a live, grounded setting where questions can be explored openly and directly. Practical Details This event takes place in person in Berlin, Germany, making it a good fit for local attendees and anyone who prefers real conversation over a purely online format. If this topic is relevant to your work or interests, being physically present will make it easier to ask questions, continue conversations, and form connections that last beyond the evening itself. The meetup is scheduled for Thursday, February 5 at 6:30 PM GMT+1. The evening timing makes it accessible for people joining after the workday, whether you’re coming from a tech team, public institution, academic setting, or independent project. A few reasons the format matters: In-person discussion allows for more candid, nuanced exchange Berlin is a strong setting for conversations at the intersection of technology, policy, and European identity Meetup and networking structure means you can participate at different levels, whether you want to listen closely, ask questions, or meet new collaborators If the phrase "IT sovereignty" has been sitting in the background of your thinking and you want to examine it more seriously, this is a strong place to do it. Come ready to engage, compare perspectives, and think carefully about what a more resilient European digital future could actually require.
Who should attend
This is for people who want a sharper, more grounded conversation about Europe’s digital resilience and the real meaning of IT sovereignty. - You work in **technology, infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, data, or software** and want to better understand the strategic implications behind technical decisions. - You’re involved in **public policy, administration, regulation, procurement, or digital governance** and want to discuss how sovereignty shows up in implementation, not just in principle. - You’re part of a **startup, company, nonprofit, research group, or civic tech community** and are thinking about dependency, interoperability, open standards, or long-term resilience. - You follow **European politics, digital policy, or geopolitical risk** and want to explore how shifting alliances affect technology choices on the ground. - You value **thoughtful in-person discussion and strong peer exchange** more than surface-level hot takes. - You’re based in Berlin, or nearby, and want to meet others who are actively engaged with the future of Europe’s digital autonomy. You do not need to arrive with fixed answers. If you have serious questions, practical experience, or a strong interest in the topic, you’ll likely find the conversation worthwhile.