In Brussels for the 6th edition of the European Defence Challenge
On 5 June 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 (CEST), the Belgian Royal Military Academy will host the awards ceremony for the sixth edition of the European Defence Challenge, an initiative that encourages students from across Europe to develop innovative ideas addressing strategic challenges in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Originally launched under the ASSETs+ project – Alliance for Strategic Skills Addressing Emerging Technologies in Defence (2020–2023) – it has continued under the coordination of Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, and will carry on in its forthcoming editions within the framework of the Skills4ADC+ project (Skills for the Aerospace and Defence Community) Erasmus+ project coordinated by FGB.
The challenge aims to strengthen youth engagement in strategic industries while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, entrepreneurship, and applied innovation.
The awards ceremony will recognise the finalist teams and announce the winning proposal. The event will feature keynote interventions focused on the future of Europe’s aerospace and defence ecosystem and the role of young talent in shaping it.
On the occasion, Manuelita Mancini, Director of Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, will offer reflections on the proposals received and discuss how to empower young minds to help shape the future of Europe’s aerospace and defence sectors.
