The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) is proud to announce its membership in the newly launched European Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty (ETRS), a collaborative initiative bringing together leading European think tanks to strengthen the continent’s capacity for innovation and independence in critical technologies.
Announced in Berlin on the eve of the Summit on European Digital Sovereignty, ETRS unites research expertise across Europe to address the continent’s growing dependencies on external powers for critical digital technologies. Europe currently relies on the United States and China for more than 80 per cent of its key digital infrastructure, from cloud computing and artificial intelligence to semiconductors.
"In an increasingly multipolar technology landscape, strengthening collaboration amongst Europe's think tanks is essential. Space capabilities are fundamental to Europe's digital sovereignty, prosperity, and security, and ESPI is committed to bringing our unique expertise to this vital initiative."
As the only space-focused institution within ETRS, ESPI occupies a unique and essential position in the network. Whilst the conversation around European technological sovereignty has traditionally centred on semiconductors, AI, and cloud infrastructure, space systems are also key to Europe’s digital independence and strategic autonomy.
ESPI joins ETRS as Europe’s independent think tank for space, a technology domain of growing policy relevance driven by unprecedented momentum and investment across civil, commercial, and defence sectors.
The network’s founding members include the Bertelsmann Stiftung (Germany), the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) (Belgium), the AI & Society Institute (France), and the Polish Economic Institute (PEI), alongside more than a dozen other inaugural members.
Beginning in 2026, ETRS will launch strategic initiatives including expert workshops bridging policy and industry, and the creation of an international pool of experts dedicated to Europe’s technological sovereignty.
Read the full press release here.
