European Buddhist Union - Union Bouddhiste Européenne
Budget
€108,054
EP Access
2
accredited persons
Staff
5
1.6 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
The European Buddhist Union (EBU) is an umbrella association of Buddhist organisations and national Buddhist unions in Europe. We welcome groups from all schools and traditions of Buddhism in Europe wishing to work together in a spirit of friendly co-operation and respect for diversity, on the basis of Buddhist teachings. We value non-violence, compassion, loving kindness and responsibility, which we consider to be at the heart of Buddhism. We advocate for human rights and equality for all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, nationality, social origins, birth status or any other distinction. We share the values that inspired the founders of the Council of Europe and the European Union: creating and maintaining peace, solidarity and diversity across Europe via the maintenance of free, democratic, open and non-discriminatory states.
EU Legislative Interests
Article 17 TFEU dialogue with churches, religious associations and philosophical and non confessional organisations. The European New Green Deal. Internal Security Fund - Protections of Places of Worship. Promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief. Human rights Animal Welfare Education Interfaith and interconvictionnal dialogue
Communication Activities
Active participation in the regular meetings of the members of the Article 17 dialogue organized by the European Commission. Participation in the High-level meeting of 18 January 2024 with Vice-President Schinas and the Leaders of different faiths, where EBU President Stefano Bettera was invited to present a paper like the other spiritual leaders. The EBU vice-president Carlo Luyckx participated in the end-of mandate meeting with Special Envoy Frans van Daele - Monday 25 November 2024. Participation in the High Level meeting organized on by Commissionner Magnus Brunner with religious leaders dedicated to ‘Responding to the polarisation of our societies’, which took place on Monday 17 November 2025 from 9.00 to 12.00 in Brussels (Berlaymont building). Since the flight from Milano of EBU President Stefano Bettera was cancelled at the last minute, EBU Vice-president represented the point of view of the European Buddhists. Active participation in the regular meetings of the members of the Article 17 dialogue organized by the European Parliament, with delegating speakers at the public conference of 28 January 2020 on the New Green Deal and at the public meeting of 16 November 2021 on the Conference on the Future of Europe. Also the public article 17 conference on Liberal Democracy of 24 January 2023. On 27 June 2023, EBU President Stefano Bettera was invited as speaker at the seminar on the "30th anniversary of the EU Single Market, Past Achievements and Future Developments". The EBU President and Vice-President also participated in the European Parliaments Article 17 Conference of 15 November 2023 on Artificial Intelligence. On 13 February 2024 the EBU President and Vice-President also participated in the seminar on "The importance of the Article 17 dialogue for raising awareness against disinformation and foreign interference as well as for achieving a high turnout at the European elections" organised by the Article 17 TFEU Secretariat. Participation in the seminar on 20th December 2024 on the topic: "The Importance of Intergenerational Dialogue in Addressing Europe's Future Challenges", hosted by Vice-President Antonella Sberna, Where EBU president Stefano Bettera was one of the speakers and EBU vice-president Carlo Luyckx participated. Participation by EBU vice-president Carlo Luyckx in an informal exchange of views about the EU policies, especially in light of the 2025 European Commission Work Programme, which took place on 18 March 2025, from 11.00 to 12:30, in room SPAAK 6B54. Participation by EBU president Stefano Bettera as a panel speaker and EBU vice-president Carlo Luyckx at the dialogue seminar entitled " Beyond the numbers: the contribution of Article 17 TFEU to an EU Multiannual Financial Framework grounded in ethics, solidarity and inclusion " which took place on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, from 15.00 to 18.00. Participation in the European External Action Service Roundtable of 11 February 2021 on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Participation in the SASCE project (Stronger and Safer Communities in Europe) funded by the Commission ISF, in partnership with SACC (European Jewish Congress) , CEC (Christian Churches in Europe) and Faith Matters (April 2021 - March 2023) Participation in the SASCE 2 project (2025-2027) Participation in the monthly meetings by videoconference of the EP Intergroup on Welfare and conservation of animals
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
World Fellowship of Buddhists http://wfbhq.org/ International Buddhist Confederation http://www.ibcworld.org/
Organisation Members
https://europeanbuddhistunion.org/members
Additional Information
GRANT AGREEMENT NUMBER — 101190659 — SASCE 2
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.