Europe Day Networking Reception
Let’s celebrate the upcoming Europe Day with the representatives of the EU Chambers in Hungary!
Since its establishment in 1994, the Permanent Commission of EU Member States in Hungary (EU Chambers) has been dedicated to enhancing the legal, institutional, and business landscape for companies from other EU member states operating in Hungary.
EU Chambers actively foster investment and trade between Hungary and other EU countries and organize collaborative events.

Date&Time: 29 April 2026, 16:00h – 19:30h
Venue: 1062 Budapest, Déibáb utca 21. Advantage Austria

Participation fee: HUF 24, 900 + VAT

REGISTER

Programme

16:00 - 16:30 Arrival, registration, networking
16:30 - 17:00 Welcome speeches

Maurice Janssen, chair, DUTCHAM
H.E. Mr. Willem van EE, Ambassador, the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hungary
H.E. Mr. Homer Mavrommatis, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Hungary
H.E. Mr. Ragnar Almqvist', Ambassador, Embassy of Ireland

Cyprus is holding the rotating presidency of the Council for the second time, from Jan - June 2026, this time as part of a presidency trio with Poland and Denmark.
Under the motto 'An autonomous Union. Open to the world', Cyprus will work to strengthen the EU's autonomy as a necessary next step in advancing the European integration project.

From July to Dec 2026, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union – a central leadership role at the heart of EU decision-making. For six months, Ireland will guide negotiations, broker agreement between Member States, and help deliver EU laws and policies that affect the daily lives of more than 450 million people.

17:00 - 17:20 Keynote presentation by Ákos Kozák Co-Founder, Head of Research, Equilibrium Institute
on the macroeconomic business outlook of Hungary within the EU

17:20 - 17:40 Presentation by Stefania Ciraolo
Head of the EIB Group Office in Hungary
on the EIB funding opportunities, with special attention to the Innovation Fund grants

17:40 - 19:30 Networking with drinks and bites
19:30/20:00 Closing of the event

The event is not open to the press.

Short bio of the speakers

Ákos Kozák, Co-Founder, Head of Research, Equilibrium Institute
He is an expert in future research and consumer studies and holds a PhD in the sociology of consumption. He acquired the business foresight methodology in the 2000s and has since worked on strategic foresight projects for several international companies.
After three decades in the international business environment, he became one of the co-founders of the Equilibrium Institute, Hungary’s independent think tank based in Budapest. He is now the Director of Business Relations at the Equilibrium Institute, where Ákos Kozák leads the market analysis and consulting services. Mr. Kozák is also the author and co-author of numerous academic studies on market research.

Stefania Ciraolo, Head of the EIB Group office in Hungary
Stefania has been serving as the Head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group Office in
Hungary since July 2024.
She represents the EIB Group - comprising both the EIB and the EIF—supports its financial
activities and promotes European priorities and values in Hungary. Stefania joined the EIB in 2005 and has since held several roles, ranging from Risk Management expert to Advisor to the EIB President. Her professional experience spans multiple countries, including Luxembourg, France and Belgium.
She holds a Master’s degree in Economics and a PhD in Mathematics for Financial Markets.