Young Professional Event 2026

30 May 2026, 08:00 → 2 Jun 2026, 16:00 Europe/Paris

ESA HQ-N

This year, we are thrilled to celebrate the 9th edition of the Young Professional Event, for the first time ever at our Agency Headquarters in Paris!

 

The Young Professional Event (YPE) is an exciting annual conference for young professionals at ESA, where talks, hands-on workshops, panels, and social activities are organised over a four-day period. Young professionals from each site will come to HQ, transforming it into a hub for connection, networking, and knowledge exchange.

 

This year, the event will be held on June 1 and 2 at ESA HQ Mario Nikis. The theme is Trajectory to Tomorrow: Europe’s Partnerships and Paths to Space!

 

The YPE is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow professionals from all ESA sites, as well as to learn from our speakers’ expertise, providing insights into what is at the forefront of ESA’s activities right now!

 

Spaces to the YPE are limited, and priority will be given to those in ESA Entry Level programmes. Note that you may only join if you have a confirmed registration. We can't wait to welcome you to HQ!

 

Want to know more? Check out our FAQ.

Interested? Register here.

 

 

 

 

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Saturday 30 May

08:50 → 16:50 Social Activities

Sunday 31 May

08:50 → 16:50 Social Activities

Monday 1 June

08:30 → 09:30 Registration✍️

09:30 → 10:00 Opening Ceremony

10:00 → 12:00 🛰️DG Session🛰️

The session will open with an interview featuring the Director General, exploring the Agency’s strategic direction following ESA after CM25 and its evolving role in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. A round of rapid-fire questions and live Q&A will give the audience the opportunity to engage directly with the DG on priorities, missions, and partnerships. The session will conclude with a panel discussion bringing together the Director General and Directors to reflect on Europe’s space ambitions in the 21st century.

12:00 → 13:30 Lunch + Poster Session🌠

13:30 → 14:30 🌐ESA Behind the scenes: External and Internal Relations🌐

How do changing national space strategies shape ESA? This panel explores the balance between national interests and European programs, and how these dynamics influence decision-making within the Agency. Speakers will also discuss ESA’s cooperation with external partners such as NASA, the EU, and industry, offering insights into the relationships that shape Europe’s role in space.

Please note that session times are subject to change.

13:30 → 14:30 👩‍💻DEI Workshop👩‍💻

This year’s YPE highlights the strategic, political, and collaborative dimensions of Europe’s space ambitions. Yet the success of these trajectories ultimately depends on people: diverse teams working across cultures, languages, and backgrounds.

Our DEI workshop aims at exploring diversity, equity and inclusion as core capabilities for navigating complex international environments, offering practical and reflective insights into how to navigate and ultimately benefit from the inherent diversity that surrounds us. We will be joined by Sylvain Seguy and Leonie Werner, the team in charge of DEI workforce activities at UNESCO through the UNGlobe association.

Please note that all time slots for the sessions are subject to change, meaning that overlapping sessions may change.

14:30 → 16:15 ☄️Environmental × Entrepreneurs ESA Sustainability Fund Projects' Ideation Workshop☄️

Join us for the joint Environmental × Entrepreneurs ESA Sustainability Fund Projects' Ideation Workshop — a fast‑paced, collaborative session where Young ESA professionals explore how innovation and environmental responsibility can reinforce each other. Through guided brainstorming, team discussions, and creative ideation tools, participants will identify future sustainability challenges and develop solutions that could implemented at ESA in the years ahead: concrete projects that reduce the Agency’s environmental footprint, enhance the sustainability of ESA’s physical assets, encourage workforce's sustainable practices.
All ideas generated during the workshop will be proposed to the Sustainability Fund, ensuring that the most promising concepts can be taken forward, developed, and potentially implemented. Important: to take part in the workshop, participants must be willing to own their idea, carry it forward after the workshop, and lead its submission to the Fund.
If you are driven by climate action, innovation, or entrepreneurial thinking, this is the perfect space to connect, co‑create, and shape impactful ideas for a more sustainable ESA.

Please note that all time slots for the sessions are subject to change, meaning that overlapping sessions may change.

14:30 → 15:30 🚀Launching Europe to Space🚀

How can Europe secure autonomous and competitive access to space in a rapidly evolving global landscape? This panel brings together experts from across the launcher ecosystem to explore future technologies, emerging commercial players, and established programmes, highlighting the innovation and strategic decisions shaping Europe's future access to space.

Please note that session times are subject to change.

15:30 → 16:15 Networking Coffee and Break ☕

Come meet fellow Young Professionals from other sites around a French "goûter" with coffee and some icebreakers.

16:15 → 17:15 🌍ESA Council Ministerial Simulation🌍

This interactive workshop simulates an ESA Council at Ministerial level, placing participants in the role of Member States to negotiate programmes, debate priorities, and experience first‑hand how strategic decisions are shaped. Through guided moderation, structured proposals, and collaborative decision‑making, the session offers a practical insight into ESA governance, consensus‑building, and the dynamics behind real ministerial outcomes.

Please note that all time slots for the sessions are subject to change, meaning that overlapping sessions may change.

16:15 → 17:15 📈CM25 results towards 2040📈

This session will present the key outcomes of CM25 as the starting point for shaping ESA’s long-term strategy toward 2040. It will outline the agreed vision, the stepwise roadmaps under development, and the strategic initiatives, resource planning, and transformation efforts required to deliver Europe’s space ambitions over the next decade and beyond.

Please note that session times are subject to change.

17:15 → 17:45 Closing Remarks

19:00 → 00:00 🌟Gala🌟

Imagine dancing under the Eiffel tower, on the edge of the Seine, golden sunset behind you, listening to music and chatting with other Young Professionals - that's the energy for this year's Gala! A chance to network, and de-stress after a day of learning at YPE. Stay tuned for the venue, food options, and dress code, but be sure of this: a wonderful evening awaits you!

Tuesday 2 June

11:20 → 11:50 Welcome Coffee☕

11:50 → 13:20 👩‍💻Career Trajectory: Conversations on Mentorship and Professional Growth👩‍💻

In this interactive session focussed on career building, you will have the opportunity to meet and network with ESA alumni with diverse backgrounds and career paths.

13:20 → 14:35 Young ESA Lunch and Learn 🧠

Interested in becoming involved with Young ESA activities, or even just curious to learn more about what we do? This is your chance to speak face to face with the Core Team of Young ESA and ask all your questions. Working group leads will set up a poster session where you can come and see what they've been up to this year and hear about future plans... maybe even suggest some of your own! Site representatives will also be available for discussions on site specific concerns, ideas, events and more.

It’s never too late to actively join Young ESA, we invite you to join us and get started today!

14:35 → 15:35 🌍ESA Council Ministerial Simulation🌍

This interactive workshop simulates an ESA Council at Ministerial level, placing participants in the role of Member States to negotiate programmes, debate priorities, and experience first‑hand how strategic decisions are shaped. Through guided moderation, structured proposals, and collaborative decision‑making, the session offers a practical insight into ESA governance, consensus‑building, and the dynamics behind real ministerial outcomes.

14:35 → 15:35 🔥Space Slam🔥

Are you passionate about space? Do you have a cosmic idea or project you'd love to share? Here's your chance! Present your space-related topic in a fun and engaging 5 minute presentation. Whether you choose to dance, sing, rhyme, or showcase dynamic slides filled with memes, the stage is yours. Every participant will win the audience's admiration, but the most entertaining and innovative talk will receive a unique prize. No rules, except the time limit. Gain public speaking experience in front of the friendliest crowd imaginable. Share what inspires or challenges you about space, and let your creativity shine!

15:35 → 15:50 Closing Remarks