Think Tank EUROPA

Tænketanken Europa (Think Tank EUROPA) is a Danish independent think tank dedicated to analysis and debate on European Union affairs. It was founded in 2014 by CO-industri and Dansk Industri, two major Danish labour-market and business organisations, giving it a distinct anchoring in both employee and employer interests. The think tank produces analyses, reports, explainers and events aimed at policymakers, businesses, media and the broader public in Denmark and across Europe. The organisation is headquartered in Copenhagen and operates primarily in Denmark while engaging closely with EU institutions and Brussels-based stakeholders. Its work spans economic and industrial policy, EU enlargement, security and defence, trade policy, and the EU budget. It publishes recurring formats such as "The EU Shortlist" and hosts conferences and summits, including an annual Geopolitical Summit. Leadership has been a notable part of its profile. Bjarke Møller served as director from 1 February 2014 until 24 June 2019, and since December 2019 Lykke Friis has been director. The think tank has achieved significant media visibility in Denmark; according to InfoMedia, it was cited 6,500 times in Danish media from its founding until June 2019. Tænketanken Europa is funded and supported through its founding organisations and a network of members and advisory boards. It describes itself as being advised by leading Danish and European voices. Its output is bilingual in practice, with many publications and events in Danish and English, reflecting its dual audience of Danish decision-makers and the wider European policy community.

Tænketanken Europa was established in 2014 by CO-industri and Dansk Industri, two central Danish organisations representing employees and employers respectively. This founding structure gave the think tank a distinctive cross-labour-market mandate, aiming to foster informed debate on Denmark's relationship with the European Union. Bjarke Møller was appointed director from 1 February 2014 and led the organisation until 24 June 2019. During this period the think tank built a strong media presence; according to InfoMedia, it was cited 6,500 times in Danish media from its founding until June 2019. In December 2019, Lykke Friis took over as director, bringing extensive experience in European affairs, and has led the organisation since. The think tank has expanded its activities to include regular publications such as "The EU Shortlist" and major events like the Geopolitical Summit. It engages with a broad network of members, including companies and organisations such as Mind Energy, which joined in 2026. Its analyses cover economic and industrial policy, EU enlargement, security and defence, trade, and the EU budget, often featuring high-profile guests such as former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Headquartered in Copenhagen, Tænketanken Europa operates as an independent, privately organised think tank. It maintains a bilingual output, publishing in both Danish and English, and positions itself as a bridge between Danish stakeholders and the European policy community.

• Founded by CO-industri and Dansk Industri.

• Bjarke Møller becomes director.

• Bjarke Møller steps down as director.

• Lykke Friis becomes director.

• Mind Energy becomes a new member.

Independent Danish think tank providing analysis and debate on EU affairs for policymakers, business and media.

• The EU Shortlist

  Annual series taking stock of EU productivity reforms.

• Explainers

  Short explanatory pieces on EU policy topics.

• Geopolitical Summit

  Annual conference on geopolitics and Europe.

1. 1Tænketanken Europa official websitethinkeuropa.dk
2. 2Tænketanken Europa - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Tænketanken Europa - Wikipedia (Danish)da.wikipedia.org