During the European Liberal Forum (ELF) General Assembly in Brussels, VVD International was honoured with winning the first edition of the Activator Award, one of the ELF Impact Awards, in recognition of the successful organisation of the Liberal Partnership Days 2026.
The Activator Award celebrates the project that has most successfully engaged members and strengthened cooperation across the liberal network. The award recognises initiatives that bring liberals together, encourage meaningful exchange and contribute to stronger international partnerships.
The Liberal Partnership Days, held in The Hague alongside the VVD Spring Congress, brought together around sixty liberal politicians, policymakers, experts and party representatives from Europe and the MENA region. Under the shared themes of economic competitiveness and artificial intelligence, participants explored some of the most pressing challenges facing liberal democracies today.
Throughout the two-day programme, participants discussed how the recommendations of the Draghi and Wennink reports can contribute to strengthening Europe’s economic competitiveness. The event also examined the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in fields such as defence, security and healthcare. The programme featured contributions from VVD ministers and Members of Parliament, international political leaders, representatives of liberal sister parties, and distinguished guests including Oleksandr Korniyenko, Chairman of Ukraine’s Servant of the People party.
A unique aspect of the event was its connection to the VVD Spring Congress, allowing international participants to engage directly with VVD members and experience the party congress programme firsthand. This created valuable opportunities for dialogue, networking and the exchange of ideas between liberals from different countries and political backgrounds.
The VVD especially wishes to thank the European Liberal Forum for its partnership and support in organising the Liberal Partnership Days. Together, we remain committed to creating opportunities for liberals from across Europe and beyond to exchange ideas, develop policy solutions and strengthen the values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
The VVD is proud to see the Liberal Partnership Days recognised with this award and looks forward to continuing this valuable partnership.
