13th EBU General Assembly 2027
Zurich, Switzerland | 22-24 October 2027
On behalf of the EBU Board and the host organisations, the Swiss Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (sbv sfb) and the Swiss National Association of and For the Blind (SNABLIND), we are delighted to announce that the 13th European Blind Union (EBU) General Assembly will take place in Zurich, Switzerland, from 22 to 24 October 2027.
We warmly invite all EBU member organisations to save these important dates and join us for what promises to be a productive, inclusive, and forward-looking gathering.
Key Dates
- Friday, 22 October 2027
Meeting of the outgoing EBU Board
- Saturday, 23 October 2027
Opening of the General Assembly
Deliberations begin in the morning
- Sunday, 24 October 2027
Continuation of General Assembly proceedings
Closing session at midday
Meeting of the new EBU Board
*Please note there will be no tech fair for this edition.
Venue
Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle
The Circle 1
8058 Kloten
Switzerland
The hotel and meeting facilities are conveniently located at Zurich Airport, providing excellent accessibility and transport connections for delegates from across Europe and beyond. The hotel welcomes dogs.
Planning the General Assembly
An Organising Committee comprising representatives from sbv sfb, SNABLIND, EBU, and ACAPO has already begun its work to ensure a successful event, committed to creating a welcoming environment where EBU members can actively contribute to discussions, shape future priorities, and strengthen collaboration across the blind and partially sighted community in Europe.
Your participation will be at the heart of the General Assembly's success. Please start thinking about who your delegates will be (up to 6 and 2 for supported countries).
EBU Board Elections
The 2027 General Assembly will be shorter than previous ones and focusing on constitutional matters. One key element is the election of a new EBU Board.
Member organisations are encouraged to begin identifying and nominating committed, skilled, and diverse candidates who can contribute to the future leadership of EBU.
Over the coming months, the Nominations Committee, chaired by Luana Schena, will provide detailed information regarding:
- Positions open for election
- Eligibility requirements
- Nomination procedures
- Election timelines
We encourage all member organisations to engage actively in this important process.
Constitutional Review
The General Assembly will also provide an opportunity to review and modernise the EBU Constitution to reflect recent developments and future needs.
Under the leadership of Tytti Matsinen, the Constitutional Affairs Committee is consulting with member organisations throughout the preparation period. Members are invited to submit proposed amendments, ideally before 30th June, and participate in discussions on the constitutional review process and information sessions.
Setting EBU's Strategic Direction
The 2027 General Assembly will play a crucial role in shaping EBU's thematic and strategic priorities for the years ahead.
The EBU Board is currently developing a process designed to ensure meaningful consultation and clear strategic outcomes. The objective is to arrive at the General Assembly with a shared understanding of priorities, challenges, and opportunities, enabling informed decision-making and a strong vision for the future of EBU.
Further updates will be communicated as this work progresses.
Important Deadlines
- October 2026 (12 months ahead) 1st call for nominations, Draft GA programme and agenda circulated to all EBU members
- November 2026 (11 months ahead) Test of Electronic Voting tools at the AC meeting in Rome
- 15 February 2027 (8 months ahead) Opening of registrations - Deadline 30th of June 2027
- April 2027 (6 months ahead) Testing Voting solution at the LEC meeting in Spain, Reminder for nominations (Deadline 30th of June 2027), Calls for resolutions and constitutional amendment proposals (Deadline 30th of June 2027)
- June 2027 (4 months ahead) Preparation of reports (Board, Treasurer, Nominations draft)
- July 2027 (3 months ahead) Constitutional and logistics documents shared with registered delegates
- 22 August 2027 (60 days before GA) EBU Board Quadrennial Report, Treasurer Report, Nominations Committee Report + short biographies of nominees, Proposals for amendments to the constitution, Proposals for resolutions send to delegates, DRAFT EBU Priorities and Objectives, Guidelines for the EBU Elections sent to registered delegates
- September 2027 (1 month ahead) Resolutions and amendments shared with all delegates, Call for Obituaries, General Guidelines to the Venue and housekeeping info sent to all participants
Please anticipate these important steps ahead of time to allow for the smooth running of a very dense event!
Stay Informed
Additional details about registration, accommodation, programme updates, elections, constitutional matters, and exhibition opportunities will be published on this page as preparations advance.
For questions, feedback, or enquiries, please contact: membership@euroblind.org