Frequently Asked Questions

Our current governing Board will end its 3-year mandate on 20 March 2024. A new Board election will take place at the beginning of 2024. 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 in 3 phases: 

    1. Nomination (deadline: 22nd January COB)

    Business and Associate member organisations will be invited 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, as long as they represent an organisation that is a member of EIF. Candidates will be asked to send a brief biography. You will receive an email with more details early January.

    2. Vote by Business and by Associate membership (deadline: 19 February COB)

    Business members and Associate members will vote for the candidates in their respective constituency (up to 8 if Business members and up to 6 if Associate members). The two shortlists of candidates will be then confirmed by the vote of the General Assembly. The vote is secret.

    3. Final vote by General Assembly (on 19 March)

    The General Assembly (i.e. all members) will be asked to vote to confirm the shortlists of candidates. The elected Board members will formally start their mandate on 21st March, when our Annual General Assembly meeting will take place.

  • Who can vote?

    All EIF Business and Associate members can vote but only one representative per organisation can cast the 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 will be selected as a shortlist and brought forward to the General Assembly, together with the 6 highest-ranking candidates from the Associate membership. 

    Members are invited to bear in mind the importance of diversity in the Board composition, when casting their vote.

  • 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 their 3-year mandate on 20 March 2024, and our new Board will start on 21 March 2024.

  • How long is the term of a Board member?

    The term of a Board member mandate is 3 years and 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 21^st March 2024.

  • 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 are also responsible for financial and human resources, which are exclusive competence of the Board and do not pertain to the Steering Committee.

    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 Steering 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. The Board is chaired by Board member (either a Business or an Associate member).

  • 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, either in the European Parliament in Brussels or online. 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 time of their election as Board members, their mandate shall cease.

  • Are Board members remunerated?

    No. Board members receive no remuneration nor reimbursement of expenses for their duties.

  • How is the Board Chair elected?

    At the start the mandate, the new Board is asked to elect a Chair among its members. The Chair can be either a Board Business member or a Board Associate member. The role lasts for the whole mandate.

  • How is the Programming Committee co-Chair appointed?

    At the start the mandate, the new Board is asked to appoint a member who will co-Chair the Programming Committee together with an MEP. The co-Chair can be either a Board Business member or a Board Associate member. In principle, the role lasts for the whole mandate.