The German Italian Young Leaders Dialogue – Spinelli Forum is a joint initiative of the German Federal Foreign Office and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in partnership with the Institute for European Politics (IEP) and the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI).
It offers a future generation of Italian and German leaders in the fields of politics, business, academia, civil society, media, and culture the opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by the German-Italian partnership as it shapes the future of the European Union (EU). We are looking for young Italian and German candidates who would like to take part in the fifth edition of this dialogue format, which will consist of a virtual kick-off event (scheduled for 19 September 2025), two online workshops (scheduled in the afternoons of 6 October and 21 October
2025) and a final in-person two-day conference which will take place in Berlin on 27 and 28 October 2025. Participants will have the unique opportunity to discuss relevant issues concerning the future of the EU and relations between the two countries in a stimulating environment, as well as to become members of a lasting network of German and Italian young leaders.
Thematic Focus
The EU and its member states face an increasing number of challenges that require close cooperation at the European level, as shown by Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and its consequences for Europe and the world.
These challenges include fulfilling and preserving the promise of prosperity to the benefit of all European citizens, securing the global competitiveness of European economies, successfully transforming European economies to adapt to climate change and the digital revolution, and enhancing European defence and security in the context of increasing geopolitical competition. As close partners and founding members of the EU, both Germany and Italy are key to advancing European cooperation to meet them.
In four working groups, participants will discuss important aspects of the EU’s internal and external capacity to act from a German and Italian perspective. They will discuss differences in perception in order to reach a better understanding of the respective position and to identify synergies and priorities. Finally, they will develop policy proposals for joint European action.
These four working groups are:
I. Economic Growth and Social Cohesion
Europe’s economy stands at a crucial crossroads. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reshaped the continent’s energy landscape, a sharp (though short-lived) inflationary spike has left lasting scars, China’s intensifying competition is weighing on European industrial production, and the space for a public boost to the economy remains constrained across much of the EU. Germany represents a unique case: despite experiencing a deeper slowdown than many of its peers, it remains the only major EU economy with the fiscal space to pursue a stimulus-led recovery, projecting up to € 850 billion in additional spending over the next five years. Italy, meanwhile, is still the EU’s secondlargest manufacturing power and remains deeply interconnected with the German economy.
This working group will explore how to revitalize economic growth in the EU, drawing on the recommendations of the “Draghi Report”, the proposed measures in the “Competitiveness Compass” and the broader need to enhance the bloc’s global competitiveness. In particular, it will
examine how Germany and Italy can better align their strategies to:
(i) strike the right balance between fiscal discipline and the imperative to stimulate growth;
(ii) rebuild trust and strengthen coordination among EU member states, making cooperation the norm rather than the exception;
(iii) ensure that economic growth is inclusive and socially sustainable, so that cohesion within and
between EU societies is reinforced rather than eroded.
II. European Defence and Security
Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, the emerging wars in the Middle East and increasing hybrid threats confront Europe with the most demanding security landscapes in decades. At the same time, the future role of the United States in European security remains unclear, prompting deeper cooperation and strategic foresight from the EU without duplicating NATO work strands and processes. Reform initiatives and new programmes such as the SAFE instrument or formation of so-called coalitions of the willing frame the future of the Common Security and Defence Policy. The aim is to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy. However, persistent fragmentation, slow decision-making, and diverging national priorities continue to hinder the emergence of a coherent and responsive European defence strategy. This working group aims to critically assess current procedures and instruments on a European and national level with regards to Germany and Italy, recommending adaptations to best address current and upcoming policy challenges.
III. EU Climate and Energy
The European Union faces increasing pressure to address the climate crisis amid complex geopolitical and economic challenges, making it harder to balance energy security, decarbonisation, economic competitiveness, and climate leadership. The EU wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at least by 55 per cent by 2030 and ultimately reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The newly introduced Clean Industrial Deal aims to support these goals by combining climate mitigation with preserving competitiveness and cutting bureaucratic hurdles. Meanwhile, more frequent extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and wildfires are straining health systems and resilience efforts, prompting calls for coherent EU climate-response strategies. Furthermore, the EU must push forward its diversification efforts in response to the continued threat posed by Russia, while safeguarding a commitment to decarbonisation and energy security, also in the context of the recent extreme power outages in Spain and Portugal. This working group will discuss how Europe can fulfil its self-proclaimed climate goals and at the same time balance current geopolitical and security challenges. It will furthermore assess which measures Italy and Germany are taking to this end.
IV. Artificial Intelligence Regulation and Governance
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the global balance of power, transforming economies, security ecosystems, and the fabric of democratic societies. As innovation accelerates, the European Union faces the urgent challenge of developing an AI ecosystem that fosters trust, safeguards fundamental rights, and ensures competitiveness in a multipolar technological landscape. The EU AI Act represents a milestone in global tech governance, but its implementation raises complex questions about innovation capacity, strategic autonomy, interoperability with foreign regulatory systems (notably the U.S. and China), and the role of open-source development. Furthermore, divergences between Member States regarding risk-based approaches, investment incentives, and ethical standards hinder the formation of a cohesive digital single market. This working group aims to critically examine the EU’s approach to AI governance in light of global regulatory fragmentation and geopolitical tensions. It will assess how Germany and Italy can strengthen coordination to: (i) ensure responsible innovation; (ii) align industrial and research capacities; and (iii) promote the EU’s normative leadership in international fora. Participants will explore policy options to reinforce the Union’s internal digital cohesion and its external strategic positioning.
Target Group: German and Italian young leaders and high potentials from the fields of politics, business, academia, civil society, the social sector, media, and culture with a strong interest in European cooperation.
Requirements
• Aged between 25 and 35 years, applications of strong candidates aged between 25 and 30
years will be given preference.
• First university degree (BA or MA) or equivalent vocational qualification.
• Strong interest/expertise in European cooperation, particularly in the fields of defence and
security policy, economics, artificial intelligence or climate and energy policy (see the
selection criteria for details).
• Excellent command of English.
How to Apply
Applications will only be accepted via the application platform and should include the following information:
1. A completed application form.
2. A CV (max. two pages, including information on the applicant’s education and relevant work experience).
3. A short video (3 minutes max) to introduce the candidate and his/her motivation to take part in the German-Italian Young Leaders Dialogue – Spinelli Forum.
4. A short text (max 2.500 characters) outlining what the EU should prioritize and how your country could contribute to this end in the field of your most preferred working group:
• European Economic Growth and Social Cohesion
• European Defence and Security Policy
• European Climate and Energy Policy
• European Artificial Intelligence Regulation and Governance
N.B.: Participation in the whole Spinelli Forum process (the 3 preliminary online workshops and the inperson conference in Berlin on 27/28 October 2025) is compulsory. Please check your schedule before submitting your application. The organisers will cover travel expenses and accommodation. Should a participant be unable to attend the conference at the last moment for health or professional reasons, this must be presented to the organisers with a written justification (e.g. medical certificate).
Application Deadline: 25 July 2025 (23:59 CET)
Contact
Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale (ISPI)
Name: Francesca Robbiati
Address: Via Clerici, 5 20121 Milan (I)
Tel.: +39 02 863313.231
Email: robbiati.francesca@ispionline.it
Institut für Europäische Politik (IEP)
Name: Laura Worsch
Address: Bundesallee 23, 10717 Berlin (DE)
Tel.: +49 30 88 913 40
Email: laura.worsch@iep-berlin.de
Disclaimer: The selection of candidates is carried out at the sole discretion of the Steering Committee consisting of representatives of all partner organizations.
The German Italian Young Leaders Dialogue – Spinelli Forum is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and the Italian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
