Public Policy New Voices Europe (PPNVE) Cohort 5 | Leadership in a Digital Age: Technology, Society, and Governance in Europe

Europe faces a critical inflection point as rapid technological change coincides with rising polarization, declining public trust, and increasing regulatory complexity. Divergent national approaches to digital regulation, uneven investment in digital infrastructure, and heightened concerns over data protection and platform accountability are putting pressure on European cohesion and the ability to collaborate effectively across borders. These dynamics risk undermining democratic institutions and the societal resilience required for inclusive, future-ready governance.

At the same time, Europe is advancing ambitious frameworks for digital transformation — from the Digital Services Act and AI Act to continent-wide efforts to modernize digital public infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity. Innovation ecosystems are evolving through collaborations among governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector, while new digital tools hold potential to enhance participation, transparency, and public service delivery. Yet key challenges remain: balancing open data with privacy and security, ensuring equitable digital access across regions and populations, addressing the societal impacts of AI and automation, and adapting governance systems to the needs of diverse communities. 

This provides a rare, cross-sector space for emerging leaders to explore these tensions and opportunities, build relationships of trust, and co-create strategies for a more resilient, innovative, and inclusive digital future for Europe. 

Main Topics  

• Data Governance: As data underpins Europe’s economies, public institutions, and digital services, questions of sovereignty, privacy, and cross-border data flows have become central to the region’s competitiveness and democratic resilience. Europe’s regulatory landscape — from GDPR to the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, and EU AI Act — sets a high bar for protecting citizens’ rights, yet also creates complexity for governments and industry navigating implementation. This theme explores how policymakers can strengthen public trust through coherent and future-proof data governance, ethical and accountable AI use, and greater transparency, while addressing the challenges of regulatory fragmentation across member states, interoperability within the Single Market, and alignment with global standards that support responsible innovation and digital trade. 

• Digital Infrastructure: Digital public infrastructure underpins equitable access to essential services – from digital identity systems and public health platforms to connectivity in rural and underserved regions. Yet uneven investment, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and differing national priorities complicate the development of systems across Europe. How can governments ensure these infrastructures are secure, resilient, and inclusive?  

• Technological Innovation: Europe’s innovation landscape is shaped by a rich ecosystem spanning government, research institutions, civil society, and industry. However, regulatory complexity, uneven access to funding, and talent shortages can limit the ability to scale transformative ideas. This theme investigates how policy can strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity by supporting dynamic ecosystems, promoting mission-driven research and development, and encouraging cross-border collaboration. Participants will explore how public-private partnerships, pan-European research networks, and emerging technologies can drive societal progress, enhance competitiveness, and ensure Europe remains at the forefront of responsible, values-based innovation. 

Program Goals  

This Program Aims To:   

• Catalyze Transformative Leadership: Equip emerging and mid-career leaders with the knowledge, skills, and strategic networks needed to navigate complex policy, technology, and governance challenges across Europe.  

• Advance Responsible Technology and Governance: Explore and develop forward-looking policy solutions that promote ethical, equitable, and sustainable use of technology, strengthen digital governance, and enhance societal resilience.  

• Build a Regional Network for Impact: Foster a vibrant, cross-sectoral community of leaders committed to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and scaling solutions that address the region’s most pressing technological and societal challenges.  

Program Format  

Through a mix of virtual sessions, mentoring, and in-person engagement, the Public Policy New Voices Europe Fellowship offers a structured year of learning, reflection, and collaboration to strengthen leadership capacity and expand the presence of diverse voices in public policy. 

Participant Profile  

To be eligible for Public Policy New Voices Europe, applicants must:  

• For the duration of the Fellowship, be living, studying, or working in one of these European countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Ukraine. 

• Be a student, graduate, or early career professional interested in or working within public policy, public service and policy development in Europe. 

• Be passionate about using public policy to build inclusive and democratic societies that value diversity, equity, and participation for all citizens. 

• Demonstrate openness, curiosity, and a commitment to learning from diverse perspectives. 

• Be comfortable communicating in English, the working language of Salzburg Global. 

Salzburg Global actively encourages applications from communities that have been historically underrepresented in policymaking, including people of color, those from ethnically diverse, migrant, or refugee communities, disabled people, people from low-income backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBT+. Applicants must be based in one of the eligible European countries for the entire duration of the Fellowship. The program is intended for emerging leaders who are at an early stage of their professional journey and have not yet had significant international exposure or access to leadership development opportunities.

Apply  

Deadline for applications is 5pm CET January 23rd, 2026.

Should you have any questions, or require further information, feel free to contact Iman Albertini - ialbertini@salzburgglobal.org

If you have any exceptional circumstances that inhibit your application through this online portal, please get in touch with us at

ialbertini@salzburgglobal.org