On the occasion of EU Diversity Month, the European Commission, through DG DEFIS, organises the DIVERIS Annual Meeting, bringing together members of the DIVERIS network and stakeholders from across the European space and defence ecosystems.

The meeting provides a platform to exchange practices, discuss current challenges and identify concrete actions to advance diversity and inclusion in highly technical sectors, where these are increasingly recognised as enablers of innovation, resilience and long-term competitiveness.

About the event

In the space and defence sectors, attracting, retaining and empowering diverse talent is essential not only for fairness and equal opportunity, but also for technological excellence and Europe’s strategic autonomy.

The DIVERIS network connects stakeholders committed to advancing diversity and inclusion and promoting concrete action across the ecosystem.

The Annual Meeting provides a space to:

discuss current trends and challenges
share good practices and initiatives
foster dialogue across stakeholder groups
identify practical solutions to structural barriers
explore future areas for cooperation

Who should attend

The event is open to participants across the European space and defence ecosystems, including:

European Commission representatives
industry stakeholders
space agencies and research organisations
universities and technical institutes
civil society organisations active in diversity and inclusion
members of the DIVERIS network

Event format

The meeting will take place in hybrid format, with participation possible both in person and online.

The programme will combine:

keynote intervention providing a strategic perspective
presentations of initiatives from across the ecosystem
panel and moderated discussions
interactive exchanges among participants

A dedicated DIVERIS Marketplace of Ideas (poster session) will be organised for in-person participants, providing a space to present initiatives and foster direct exchange.

Why participate

Participants will have the opportunity to:

gain insights into current diversity and inclusion challenges
discover innovative practices across the ecosystem
connect with peers and organisations
contribute to future actions and collaboration within the DIVERIS network

Organised by:

DG DEFIS, with the support of Women in Aerospace, member of the DIVERIS network.

Registration

inclusion
Thursday 7 May 2026, 10:00 - 17:00 (CEST)
Bruxelles, Belgium

Programme

7 May 2026, 10:00 - 17:00 (CEST)
Programme
09:30 – 10:00: Participants check-in
10:00 – 10:15: Welcome address
10:15 – 11:00: Panel Breaking Structural Barriers: Building Inclusive Talent Pipelines in the Space and Defence Ecosystems
Despite progress, structural barriers continue to limit the attraction, retention and career progression of diverse talent in the space and defence sectors. As Europe strengthens its capabilities, diversifying the workforce is a strategic necessity for resilience, innovation and competitiveness.
This panel will take a pragmatic, policy-oriented approach, focusing on:
- attracting diverse talent
- retaining women in STEM
- fostering inclusive leadership
- improving career pathways
The discussion will highlight good practices and identify practical, collaborative solutions to build more inclusive and future-ready talent pipelines.
11:00 – 11:45: Panel Addressing Unconscious Bias in Management: Building Inclusive Leadership Across Sectors
This panel will explore the impact of unconscious bias in management practices and the role of targeted training in fostering inclusive leadership.
The discussion will highlight:
- common diversity-related management challenges across sectors
- the effectiveness of experiential and practice-based learning approaches
- the value of cross-sector and cross-country exchange in addressing shared challenges
The session will present concrete lessons learned, highlight measurable impacts of leadership development initiatives, and identify transferable practices relevant to organisations in the space and defence sectors.
11:45 – 12:00: Keynote TBC
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch break
13:30 – 14:00: Keynote TBC
14:00 – 14:45: Panel Beyond Outputs: Driving Real Impact Across Every Dimension of D&I
While many organisations report on diversity metrics and implement dedicated initiatives, a key question remains: what tangible changes are being achieved in practice?
This panel will focus on moving from outputs to outcomes, exploring how D&I can translate into measurable improvements in recruitment, retention, career progression, workplace culture, and innovation performance.
The discussion will address:
- linking D&I objectives to core business KPIs
- embedding D&I in everyday organisational processes
- integrating D&I into HR policies and practices to address structural barriers
- measuring real impact through concrete indicators
Speakers will share practical examples and lessons learned to support actionable and lasting change.

14:45 – 15:00: Coffee break
15:00 – 15:45: Panel Diversity as a Driver of Sustainability
Sustainability cannot be achieved without integrating diverse perspectives.
This panel will explore how diversity contributes to more innovative and sustainable solutions, with a focus on:
- environmental initiatives in the space & defence sectors
- structural and cultural challenges related to inclusion
- the role of interdisciplinary teams in decision-making
The discussion will highlight how diversity and sustainability are mutually reinforcing drivers of innovation and long-term impact.
15:45 – 16:00: Keynote TBC
16:00-17:00: DIVERIS Market Place of Ideas tour/ networking
Note: A “DIVERIS Marketplace of Ideas” poster session will take place depending on the number of submissions received.

Practical information

When: Thursday 7 May 2026, 10:00 - 17:00 (CEST)
Where: Charlemagne Building
Rue de la Loi 170, 1040 Bruxelles, Belgium
Languages: English

DIVERIS Annual Meeting 2026