European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers (FEBEA): Annual Conference 2026 on ethical finance and the role of finance in building more inclusive communities, Venice, 23-25 September 2026

From 23 to 25 September 2026, the FEBEA Annual Conference will take place on San Servolo Island in Venice, Italy, bringing together experts and practitioners in ethical finance and the social economy at the European and international levels. The 2026 edition, entitled “Caring and Preserving: Ethical Finance building community”, will focus on the role of ethical finance in responding to social, economic and environmental challenges and in strengthening communities.

The conference will open on 23 September with a special event dedicated to ethical finance and refugee reception, organised by Banca Etica and GLS Bank at Palazzo Pisani. The meeting will examine the challenges faced by organisations working on the reception and integration of refugees, as well as the role that financial institutions can play in supporting these activities. Representatives of organisations including Lungo La Rotta Balcanica, SOS Humanity and the Consorzio Italiano di Solidarietà will participate in the discussion, together with representatives of financial institutions.

The programme will continue on 24 September with the FEBEA General Assembly and the third Youth Encounter around Ethical Finance, organised in parallel for members of the European Youth for Ethical Finance network. The day will also include workshops addressing financial opportunities, the role of the social economy in responding to social challenges, advocacy and outreach, participation in ethical finance, and opportunities for young people to access European funding.

The final day, 25 September, will focus on the broader relationship between ethical finance and social transformation. Following opening remarks by the Presidents of Banca Etica and FEBEA, the programme will include contributions from representatives of the European Commission and the Council of Europe Development Bank, as well as a keynote speech by science communicator and environmental expert Alessandra Viola. Discussions will address alliances for local development, global coalitions for peace and the development of a European ecosystem for ethical and social finance.

The FEBEA Annual Conference 2026 will bring together financial institutions, civil society organisations, social economy actors, researchers, and young people to discuss the role of ethical finance in addressing contemporary challenges and building more inclusive, sustainable communities.