EIF History - Origins & Evolution

The Story of the European Internet Forum (EIF)

In the late 1990s, Europe was standing on the edge of a digital revolution. The internet was moving from an experiment to everyday life, and the European Parliament needed a place where Members could make sense of what this transformation meant. Out of that need, in 2000, the European Internet Forum was born: a space created by MEPs, for MEPs, to learn, question, and connect with those shaping Europe’s digital future.

As Elly Plooij remembers, “In 1995, we had in the Parliament a big exhibition organized by the Americans and Al Gore about the internet highway number one… It was a wake-up call for us parliamentarians. I thought, here will happen something — an enormous influence on society, education, on everything.” That moment captured the sense of change that inspired a handful of MEPs to act.

From the very beginning, EIF was different. It wasn’t a lobby group or a political project. It was a forum — a neutral meeting ground where facts came before opinions and curiosity guided the conversation. Co-founders James Elles, Erika Mann, and Elly Plooij imagined a place where policymakers could sit alongside experts from industry, academia, and civil society to understand technology and its implications. As Plooij put it, “We felt that we needed an independent open platform — a space where we could have debates with industry, with the Commission and with scientists in a really free way. And most important, it was not a lobbying organization. It was led by MEPs. They were in the driver’s seat.”

James Elles recalls that “it was an agitated atmosphere digitally… it wasn’t one where people were used to talking about digital matters, and it was, I think, a needed moment for a platform to emerge that could bring these different issues together.” The timing was right. The dot-com boom and the arrival of the first browsers were reshaping economies and ideas at breathtaking speed.

The early sessions were lively and exploratory. In packed meeting rooms at the European Parliament, participants discussed topics that were just starting to shape Europe’s agenda - from e-commerce and data protection to the first questions about digital sovereignty. Peter Linton, who advised EIF in its early years, explained why the Forum filled a crucial gap: “The legislative agenda was growing, but Parliament had no real way to connect to the outside world. EIF offered a solution to that — connecting to the real world of telecom and other technologies, but without a specific interest.”

Erika Mann remembers those first years vividly: “When you look back into the year 2000… it was a completely different ecosystem. We were uncertain then in the political world how this would evolve, but we knew that something special was happening.” The Forum quickly earned a reputation as a trusted, cross-party space for open dialogue.

As technology evolved, so did EIF. What began as a series of debates soon grew into a broader learning journey. Study visits took Members and their staff beyond Brussels - into data centres, research labs and innovation hubs across Europe. Masterclasses followed, helping assistants and advisers translate complex technical ideas into policy insight. And later, the #EIFasks interview series captured timely reflections after events, keeping the conversation open between meetings.

Over time, EIF became what Pilar del Castillo describes as “the most valuable forum for debates on digital transformation in Brussels.” It organized hundreds of debates in the European Parliament, welcoming speakers from institutions, industry, academia and civil society. Maria Rosa Gibellini reflects on that evolution: “We’ve constantly enhanced EIF’s value proposition beyond the programme of live debates - with hands-on visits, MEP interviews and tech masterclasses. While the Forum remains true to its original raison d’être, it has successfully evolved over time.”

Each new Parliament brought new perspectives, but EIF’s purpose remained the same: to bridge understanding between technology and policy. From data protection to competition, from broadband access to artificial intelligence, the Forum became a consistent space where Europe’s digital story could unfold through dialogue rather than confrontation. As Erika Mann summed it up, “It was always valuable because it was capable of bringing everybody together — all the different viewpoints, all the different perspectives — and then have an exchange about an extremely important topic.”

The people behind EIF have always been at the heart of that mission. Co-founders James Elles, Erika Mann, and Elly Plooij set the tone for openness. Pilar del Castillo guided the Forum through years of growth, ensuring it remained inclusive and forward-looking. Today, under the leadership of Marina Kaljurand and Director General Maria Rosa Gibellini, EIF continues to bring together MEPs and stakeholders with that same spirit of shared learning.

Looking forward, James Elles sees a platform still full of purpose: “If it’s been created over time and 25 years and what it’s doing is successful, then I would urge simply that it continues to do what it’s been doing - but always listening to the members as to what they actually want. This is a platform which has obviously a big future because digital always grows.” And Peter Linton adds, “By looking at future digital trends, we are able to anticipate technological, social and political consequences for Europe and the world, and thereby help Europe maintain its place.”

To mark its 25th anniversary, EIF has produced two short films that tell this story in the voices of those who lived it. The first, “European Internet Forum: The story” captures the Forum’s origins and purpose. The extended version traces the journey from its founding moments to the challenges and opportunities ahead. As Elly Plooij concludes warmly, “I’m very proud of what EIF is doing - and I wish all the people involved, MEPs and the Secretariat, enormous success for the future.”

Today, as digital issues touch every corner of public policy, EIF’s mission feels more relevant than ever. The Forum remains a trusted space where MEPs can learn fast, think together and engage early - ensuring that Europe’s digital future is built on understanding, collaboration and trust.

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Watch the films

European Internet Forum: The story

 

European Internet Forum: The story (extended version)