EAEF 2026: Employee Assistance European Forum
KEY POINTS
This blog details the Employee Assistance European Forum through the years, as well as showcasing the agenda for this year’s conference.
Alexandru Manescu, our Clinical and Strategy Director is also Secretary for the EAEF. Connect with him on LinkedIn for more updates on this fantastic annual conference.
Exploring the future of employee assistance and mental health support in the workplace.
Since 2002, the Employee Assistance European Forum (EAEF) serves as a crucial platform for employee assistance professionals across Europe. It has grown to include more than 60 professionals and organisations from over 23 countries.
Over the years, the Employee Assistance European Forum (EAEF) has shaped the mental health industry, providing a platform for professionals to share knowledge, best practices, and advancements in the field. The Employee Assistance European Forum can be credited for advancing workplace mental health initiatives, ensuring comprehensive support systems for both employers and employees.
2026 Conference Summary
The 2026 EAEF conference marked a return to the forum’s traditional European conference format, following the global partnership event held in Istanbul in 2025. Hosted in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the XXIII EAEF Conference brought together employee assistance professionals, workplace wellbeing experts, researchers and partners from across Europe and beyond.
Evolving Workplace Wellbeing in a Changing World
This year’s theme, „Rooted in Resilience: Evolving Workplace Wellbeing in a Changing World”, reflected the need for organisations and practitioners to remain grounded in strong professional values while adapting to transformation, uncertainty and growth.
Set against the backdrop of Slovenia’s rich history and natural beauty, the conference explored how the employee assistance profession can continue to evolve while preserving its focus on human connection, ethical practice and meaningful support.
AI Ethics, Clinical Excellence, and Community
The event highlighted several key priorities for the future of employee assistance: resilience in changing workplaces, clinical excellence, AI ethics, quality assurance, outcome measurement and the expanding role of EAPs as strategic partners within organisations.
Discussions covered crisis response, return-to-work pathways, the responsible use of technology, data privacy, wellbeing measurement and the connection between employee health and organisational performance. A recurring message was clear:
EAPs must remain practical, ethical and human-centred while continuing to evolve in response to new workplace realities.
Alongside the formal programme, the 2026 conference also created space for networking, recognition and community-building. Through breakout sessions, workshops, the Innovation Award presentation and social activities, participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas, celebrate progress and strengthen professional relationships across the European employee assistance community.
2025 Global Employee Assistance Summit Summary
The 2025 edition marked an important evolution for the Employee Assistance European Forum, as EAEF joined forces with its sister association, the Asia Pacific Employee Assistance Roundtable (APEAR), for the Global Employee Assistance Summit in Istanbul.
Bringing together professionals from Europe, Asia Pacific and beyond, the event expanded the conversation from a regional forum to a truly international exchange on the future of employee assistance.
Global perspectives on workplace mental health and wellbeing
The Summit explored the growing role of employee assistance in supporting organisations, employees and diverse workforces across different regions. Discussions focused on how EAPs can respond to the complex realities of today’s workplaces, from changing employee expectations to the need for more accessible, inclusive and culturally responsive support.
The event highlighted key priorities shaping the future of employee assistance: strong clinical standards, responsible governance, digital innovation, and better global accessibility. Discussions covered best practices, stigma reduction, cross-cultural care, teletherapy, AI, data privacy, and the importance of designing support around trust, clarity, and human connection.
A recurring message was clear: EAPs must remain clinically robust, easy to access, and adaptable to the diverse needs of employees worldwide.
Recognition for innovation in employee assistance
The 2025 Global EA Summit also celebrated innovation across the field. CCS CareConnect Service was shortlisted for the Global EA Summit 2025 Award for Excellence in Employee Assistance Innovation, recognising its commitment to removing language and cultural barriers in mental health support.
With native-language counselling, instant access and culturally competent professionals, CareConnect reflects the kind of inclusive, globally responsive support that today’s workforces increasingly need.
2024 conference agenda
The 2024 EAEF conference promises to be an insightful event, packed with debates, workshops, and networking opportunities. This year, the conference will be hosted in the Bohemian city of Prague, reflecting a spirit of unconventionality and forward-thinking that mirrors the evolving landscape of employee assistance. Below is a preview of the key topics and sessions that will be featured at this year’s conference:
Empathy in the digital era
In the digital age, maintaining empathy at work is more crucial than ever. This session will explore how integrating AI and technology into EAPs can enhance empathy and provide effective support for employees. Attendees will learn about innovative tools and strategies that bridge the gap between technology and human compassion, ensuring that digital advancements contribute positively to workplace wellbeing.
Engagement strategies in the modern workplace
Boosting employee engagement is a key focus for many organisations. The talk on this subject will explore new strategies for boosting engagement, highlighting the importance of passion and compassion in creating cohesive and motivated teams. By exploring new approaches to employee involvement, leaders can learn how to foster a more dynamic and productive workplace.
Technological synergy in employee assistance
These sessions will examine the synergy between technology and Employee Assistance Programs. The talk will provide an investigation into how AI can contribute to fostering emotional understanding and support within these programs.
Passionate leadership and employee well-being
Creating a wellbeing culture in the workplace starts with passionate leadership. This discussion will explore leadership styles that embody the Bohemian spirit, highlighting the importance of passion in creating a supportive and healthy work environment.
Now that we've outlined the exciting agenda for this year's conference, let's revisit some key moments from previous conferences to appreciate the evolution of our collective efforts in promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace.
2023 Conference Summary
The 2023 Employee Assistance European Forum conference was probably the most special to us, as we were the ones to host it. The conference took place in Luxembourg and had a rich program. It kicked off with a keynote presentation from a European Commission representative, highlighting the importance of mental health at work and ongoing regulatory initiatives. Throughout the event participants engaged in discussions on enhancing support for employees, particularly for those affected by military conflicts. The conference concluded with strategic outlooks, new member introductions, and exciting plans for the 2024 event in Prague.
2022 Conference Summary
The 2022 EAEF conference in Athens marked the organisation’s return to in-person events after two years of online gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the forum highlighted its contributions to the development of European EAP services. The event also featured the launch of CareConnect, our single-point access EAP that offers services in 28 languages.
As the Employee Assistance European Forum continues to grow and evolve, its annual conferences remain a cornerstone for professionals in the mental health industry. These gatherings not only provide invaluable insights and networking opportunities but also drive the development of more effective EAPs.
