The video series The Call is an attempt to try to understand better the political, cultural and social implications of the pandemic by asking thinkers and doers from the ERSTE Foundation Community to weigh in with their thoughts and predictions.

Insight and commentary on contemporary European issues. Catalonia to Russia, politics to art: on relevant topics with the right people. New perspectives and new space for public debate.

We see civil society as the key driving force in a world which is facing major geopolitical shifts and challenges, from the rise of nationalism to increased demands for privacy, from balancing growing human needs with environmental limits, as the key driving force and have therefore launched the video series Back on Track about social engagement and activism as a clear sign of support to the dedicated change makers in our societies.

In 2019, Erste Bank and ERSTE Foundation celebrated 200 years of the savings bank idea, which, in times of industrialisation and urbanisation, had not only been civic-minded and economically viable but also innovative and audacious. Four quarterly events with lecture, workshops and seminars were approaching the guiding question: Are there still lessons to be learned from the savings bank concept in 2019?

The four topics – identity, normativity, possibility, audacity – have served as guiding lights throughout the year 2019 on the following questions: who are we in the Central, Eastern and Southeastern European region 30 years into an era of profound transformation which has shaped the lives and future of literally every family? What do we strive for as societies? And what are the challenges of our time calling us to do?