Frequently Asked Questions

Our current governing Board will end its 3-year mandate on 21 March 2021. A new Board election will take place at the beginning of 2021. Please find below answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For more information, please consult our Statutes and ByLaws. 

• • How does the election process work?

    The election process will take place via email and will involve 3 phases: 

    1. Nomination (deadline: 15 January COB)
       Business and Associate member organisations are invited to put forward a candidate representing their own organisation, if they wish to stand. Board seats are assigned to individuals in a personal ca­pacity, not to organisations. Candidates are asked to send a brief biography and motivation, together with a high-quality photo. 

    2. Vote by Business and by Associate membership (deadline: 3 February COB)
       Business and Associate member organisations vote for the candidates in their respective constituency. The two shortlists of candidates (8 Business members & 6 Associate members) will be then confirmed by the vote of the General Assembly. 

    3. Final vote by General Assembly (deadline: 19 February COB)
       The General Assembly (i.e. all members) is asked to vote to confirm the shortlists. 

    Elected Board members will formally start their mandate on 21 March, when the Annual General Assembly meeting will take place. 

  • Who can vote?

    Only one representative per organisation can cast their vote.

  • Who can apply as a candidate?

    Business and Associate member organisations will be invited put forward a candidate representing their own organisation, if they wish. Board seats are assigned to individuals in a personal capacity, not to organisations. It is up to each member organisation to decide who is the best suited person to run amongst their own representatives. 

  • How to apply as a candidate?

    Candidates will be asked to send a brief biography and motivation, and a recent photo. 

  • How will the candidates be selected?

    For the Business membership, the 8 candidates who received the most votes from Business members will be selected as a shortlist and brought forward to the General Assembly for confirmation. For the Associate membership, the 6 candidates who received the most votes will be selected as a shortlist and brought forward to the General Assembly for confirmation.

  • How many seats in the Board are there available for Business and for Associate members?

    The number of seats available will be 8 for Business members and 6 for Associate members.

  • Is the Board elected by the General Assembly (GA) or by each constituency?

    The board is officially elected by the GA, but based on a selection of candidates that is sent to the final round of votes by each constituency (Business or Associate membership). 

  • What is the Board composition?

    It includes up to 8 representatives from our Business Membership and up to 6 representatives from our Associate Membership. 

  • Who are the current Board members?

    You can see all current Board members at this link on our website.

  • How long is the Board mandate?

    3 years from the day of the General Assembly meeting. Our current Board will end its 3-year mandate on 20 March 2021, and our new Board will start on 21 March 2021.

  • How long is the term of a Board member?

    The term of a Board member mandate is 3 years and it coincides with the term of the whole Board. A Board member can be re-elected consecutively only once for an additional mandate.

  • Can current Board members be re-elected?

    Yes, but a Board member can be re-elected consecutively only once for an additional mandate.

  • When does the next Board mandate start?

    The elected Board members will formally start their mandate on 21st March.

  • What are Board members duties?

    Elected Board members become ex officio members of our Steering Committee, which includes our leading MEPs. Their main tasks include deciding on the programme of events and on the membership, and setting strategy and direction; Board members also have the responsibility for financial and human resources. Steering Committee meetings and Board meetings usually take place on the same day, one after the other. 

  • What is the difference between the Steering Committee and the Board?

    Elected Board members become ex officio members of our Steering Committee, which includes our leading MEPs and is chaired by an MEP. The Steeting Committee tasks include deciding on the programme of activities, on the membership and setting strategy and direction; the Board has the responsibility for financial and human resources.

  • How often do Board meetings take place?

    Board meetings take place regularly every 2-3 months (approximately 5 times per year) in a virtual format or in person, preferably in the European Parliament in Brussels or close-by venues. Decisions can be made also via email exchange if need be. 

    Elected Board members become ex officio members of our Steering Committee, which includes our leading MEPs. Board meetings and Steering Committee meetings usually take place on the same day, one after the other.

  • Can a Board member be replaced by another representative of the same organisation during their mandate?

    Board members are appointed in their personal capacity and cannot be replaced by another representative of the same organisation at Board meetings or as a permanent substitute during their mandate. 

    If they are no longer employed by the EIF member organisation employing them at the moment of their election as Board members, their mandate shall cease.