For digital rights activists and anyone who cares about defending freedom in Europe and beyond:
Mark your calendars for 9–11 October 2026 in Brussels for Freedom not Fear 2026, our annual gathering of activists and digital rights enthusiasts from across Europe, whether you are experienced, curious, or just starting out.
This unique self-organised weekend is a mix of socialising, sharing, and working together:
- Connect and energise: Meet fellow activists, exchange experiences, and get support for your actions throughout the year
- Participate: join workshops, share ideas, and spark new local or joint campaigns
- Engage with decision-makers: Visit the European Parliament on Monday 12 October, to make your concerns heard by MEPs (Members of the European Parliament)
Some of past digital rights topics discussed at FNF include Chat Control, the Digital Omnibus, platform regulation and AI, all of which pose important challenges and threats to our rights. The programme is shaped by participants: bring your topic(s) and find allies to take action together!
Practical info:
- Programme: We usually start with an opening on Friday evening. The sessions of each day are scheduled by participants in the morning plenary of Saturday and Sunday and take place throughout the day. We usually organised some networking dinner on Saturday evening. On Monday, many participants choose to visit the European Parliament and speak to MEPs and other policy-makers until early afternoon.
- Venue & (optional) accommodation: JES Sleep Inn, Werkhuizenstraat 3, 1080 Brussels
- Financial support: We try to provide support for travel and accommodation to ensure everyone can participate, based on need. Reach out to us if you have questions!
Stay updated: registration opens later this year. To receive regular updates, join our mailing list, follow us on Mastodon, or keep an eye on our website.
Get involved: The event is organised by a team of motivated activists via online meetings. If you have the time and motivation, there are many ways to contribute depending on your interest and availability. If you would like to help out, reach out and/or join us for the next preparatory meeting on 29 April at 20:00 (CEST) to get to know the community and find your role depending on what you would like to do and your availability.
Freedom not Fear is what you bring to it – no matter how experienced you are with the topics. Come, share, learn, and help shape the future of digital freedom in Europe!