Connact prepares second edition as Italian stakeholders put country at EU’s core

Brussels – Fostering dialogue on the economic, financial, and social challenges the European Union is facing and defining shared priorities for action. Starting from the needs of Italy and the role that our country can play in the EU. This is the Connact ecosystem, which is warming its engines for its second plenary meeting, scheduled to take place in Brussels on 4 February 2026, with hundreds of leading figures attending.

With the 10th European legislature underway, new synergies among stakeholders emerge, strengthened by the multiplier effect of the Country System. Thus emerged Connact (Connection and Action), fostering progressive mediation first among companies, then with politics, to build a single Country System line backed by all public and private actors in the EU.

The European Parliament’s vice president Antonella Sberna at Connact 2025 (Photo: Art. 49 Foundation)

The need to encourage meetings and discussions between trade associations and businesses, together with Italian MEPs and EU officials, is urgent in this phase in which European politics and economics are being reshaped in light of the serious and momentous international challenges we are currently facing.

For a year now, Connact has promoted and managed an innovative event system that encourages continuous dialogue among diverse stakeholders on common goals, builds connections, and seeks to translate strategies into action.

For the 2026 edition, at The Square conference centre on February 4, more than 40 companies and sponsoring associations will gather, representing about 50 percent of Italy’s GDP, and generating revenues exceeding 1 trillion euros, supported by 25 sponsors, alongside dozens of MEPs and officials from European institutions.

The debate between public and private decision-makers will take place across at least 13 thematic tables. This is an opportunity to network along the Rome-Brussels-Strasbourg axis, involving national, EU, and international institutions. The event will also promote public dialogue through thematic events and networking moments.

(Photo: Art. 49 Foundation)

 In 2025, eight thematic events, along with the Connact annual meeting, provided a forum for dialogue and helped define the framework of issues and priorities to be integrated into strategic lines for Italy’s Country System.