More then 70 experts from 21 European countries gathered in Hilversum for the TRUST ’26 event to join the forces around one of the greatest challenges ogf our time: rebuilding a resilient and trusted information society. The European Trust Alliance and co-organisers Bellingcat invited an extraordinary group of European thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators, who brought their expertise and energy to the working tables. They discussed the urgent challenges around such themes as Education & moral epistemics, Foreign interference and misinformatioen, Re-inventing the role of media, EU-regulation and trust cooperation and Re-teching Europe.
Trust is the invisible infrastructure of our democracy. At TRUST ’26, our goal wasn’t just to talk about the pressures facing our digital and social landscapes, but to act. From the thought-provoking keynotes to the intense, productive conversations at the working tables, there was a shared commitment to imagining a new social contract.
The conversations were just the beginning. The real work to build a sovereign, trustworthy, and connected Europe starts now.
A special thank you to all the brilliant contributors who embraced the challenge of moving beyond fragmented ideas to challenge concrete, actionable programs for 2026 and 2027. Your collaboration is what will drive real change across ecosystems.
We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to our generous sponsors Gemeente Hilversum Stadsfonds Hilversum and Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties.