Massive public support for Europe’s minoritised languages means the EU must act, say ELEN leaders.
Around 90 delegates representing 180 language activist organisations from across Europe will meet in Barcelona from 14th to 16th November for the 2025 General Assembly of the European Language Equality Network (ELEN) – Europe’s largest NGO network working to protect and promote minoritised and endangered languages. The event will be hosted by the CIEMEN organisation with the support of the Government of Catalonia and Barcelona City Council, at the El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria.
Opening addresses will be given by F. Xavier Vila i Moreno, Catalan Minister for Language Policy, and Roger Serra Puig, Director-General for Language Policy in the audiovisual and technology area. The President of the Catalan Parliament, Josep Rull i Andreu, and Marta Salicrú Serra from Barcelona Council will also welcome delegates at the official reception.
This year’s Assembly will focus on digital technology, social media, and the future of language protection in Europe, as well as launching ELEN’s new campaign strategy for the EU, developed with input from the UN Special Rapporteur for Minorities, Nicolas Levrat.
“Digital technology and media must be at the heart of our languages’ everyday lives,” said Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, ELEN President. “Our meeting in Barcelona will showcase innovative policies and practices, and strengthen the movement for linguistic equality in the digital age.”
Idurre Eskisabel, Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, Davyth Hicks at the ELEN General Assembly in Bilbao, 2024.
“Now more than ever, the EU must act to protect Europe’s linguistic diversity, as required under Article 2 of the Lisbon Treaty,” added Davyth Hicks, ELEN Secretary-General. “Public opinion is clear – 84% of Europeans support stronger protection for our languages. The EU can no longer ignore this.”
The Assembly comes amid record public support for minoritised languages, illustrated by the 2024 Eurobarometer and 2025 IFOP poll in France, showing overwhelming backing for official recognition and immersion education.
Workshops will include sessions on: online activism; how housing issues affect language communities; developing the ELEN youth movement; updating the Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights, as well as two Fosterlang workshops on language technology and social media, and immersion education. Fosterlang is the new EU-funded Horizon project working to boost endangered languages and empower language communities.
David Minoves, President of CIEMEN, said: “Catalonia will become the epicentre of Europe’s minoritised languages during the ELEN Assembly. Together, we will defend linguistic rights and strengthen our communities for the future.” (Eurolang 2025)
Event details:
- El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria, Plaça Comercial 12, Barcelona
- 14–16 November 2025
- Friday 14:00–18:00 | Saturday 09:00–18:00
- Hosted by CIEMEN with the support of the Government of Catalonia and Barcelona City Council.
- Press conference at 18.30, Friday 14th November in El Born.