Call for Participation

Call for Participation
Photo Credit
Anne Barth/re:publica

Welcome to the re:publica 2026 Call for Participation. We are looking forward to receiving your entries.

On this page, you will find everything you need to know about submitting your proposal for re:publica. We recommend that you read all the information carefully. You can also find answers to your questions in our FAQs.

Deadline: 15 January 2026

The deadline for submissions for our general Call for Participation is 15 January 2026. After that, all proposals you submit to us will be curated. You can find the status of your submission in the dashboard after logging in on the re:publica website.

We will inform you of the status of your entry until mid March 2026.

Short guide to Call for Participation

Quick guide to participation

  1. Create a profile on our website: https://re-publica.com/en/user/register
  2. Activate the registration link and login to your account: https://re-publica.com/en/user/login
  3. Go to your dashboard: https://re-publica.com/en/speaker-dashboard
  4. Go to "Submit session" or "Click here for entry forms".
  5. Select a festival area: "Conference" or "Off Stage".
  6. Fill in the CfP form

Once saved, you can view and edit your submission in the Dashboard. The programme team will then also be able to see it. You can edit it at any time up until the CfP deadline. 

Detailed step-by-step instructions can be found further down this page.

 

CfP Guidelines 

1.

Please read the CfP FAQs carefully.

  • You will find answers to many of the questions you may have before, during or after submitting your proposal.

2.

For us, this is what makes a good CfP entry:

  • Relevance, being up to date, problem-solving, having a stance, opinionated: your submission should be convincing with a well thought-out concept. re:publica participants and the programme team wish for content that deals with the challenges of our digital society, where we can learn something, be confronted with new perspectives and solutions, and be inspired. Or content that is simply fun. 

  • We want content - not pitches! Societal matters, forward-looking developments and useful innovations deserve a stage and a real chance with us. However, advertising and bold self-promotion are excluded. This does not mean that our attendees are not interested in the latest digital products and services. If you would like to showcase your brand or development, please contact our partner management team. Together we will find ways to involve your company or organisation as a partner: partner@re-publica.com 

  • We want to provide space for different perspectives and reflect diversity: That is why place prime importance on gender equality. We also aim to include perspectives from diverse backgrounds, age groups, religions, beliefs, sexual orientations and disabilities. Other aspects of diversity are also relevant, such as education, social status, marital status and income.

 

3.

As part of the CfP you choose a festival area:

Conference

The re:publica conference programme includes all formats taking place on our stages: From panel discussions to talks to interactive roundtables.

Off Stage

Installations, games, performances or whatever else you can think of to play on the site off the stages and help shape our supporting programme. We look forward to great, ideally interactive formats.

 

4.

Decide on a session format from your respective festival area:

Conference

(Lightning-) Talk

Talk and/or presentation on a specific topic.
1-2 speakers
30 min incl. Q&A (optional)

Conversation

Dispute or dialogue, with or without host / moderation
2-3 speakers
60 min incl. Q&A (optional)

Meet Up

Open format, casual get-together of the re:publica community with common area(s) of interest.
max. 2 submitters/organisers
60 min

Panel

Moderated discussion, giving an overview of various points of view and bundling knowledge.
2-3 speakers, 1 moderator/facilitator
60 min incl. Q&A (optional)

Speak up!

Format offering a high level of interaction with participants: Fishbowl discussion, World Café, Speed Geeking 
2-4 speakers, 1 moderator
60 min 

Workshop

Participants are actively engaged, practical activities are taught and/ or carried out. Important: if participatory, but purely discursive format, please submit as ‘Speak up!’ (e.g. fishbowl discussion)
1-2 workshop leaders
60 min

Embodiment

Body-based format, e.g. movement, improvisation, yoga, meditation, or similar
1-2 workshop leaders
60 min

Special format

You have an exciting format idea? A slam, ask me anything, quiz, game show, lecture performance, or something completely different? Bring it on!

Off Stage

Installations

(Interactive) works and projects that relate to the conference theme or have a stand-alone impact, adding value to the festival through relevance and on a current topic
upon consultation
permanently installed throughout the festival

Games

(Digital) games: fun, strategy or art, creative and/or critical. You developed a game? Share it with us! 
upon consultation
permanently installed throughout the festival 

Performance/Intervention

Off-stage action that actively involves the space and/or audience to create new perspectives and experiences through unexpected or interactive elements
upon consultation
may take place several times a day

DIY

Presentation of your DIY /Maker project
1-2 makers, Possibility to participate or remake
1-3 Festival Days

Special format

We`re all ears if you have something else to suggest. Fire away!

5.

Then select a category (track) that matches your session:

  • Politics & Society
  • Education & Learning
  • Media & Public Spheres
  • Science & Technology
  • Economy & Innovation
  • Arts & Culture

Find out more about our tracks. Our track texts reveal the questions we are currently asking ourselves and the topics we find particularly exciting.

This year's motto is ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’. You can use the motto as inspiration for your submission. However, it is also perfectly fine if your submission does not refer to the motto. This will definitely not reduce your chances of being selected.

 

Step-by-step guide for profile registration and submission to the CfP

Step 1: Profile registration

a) If you already have a profile

b) If you are not yet registered 

  • Create your profile: https://re-publica.com/en/user/register
  • Enter a working email address.
  • Choose a profile name (we recommend a combination of first and last name).
  • Click on "Create a new account" and follow the instructions in the welcome message.
  • Activate the link in your email and click 'Register'.
  • Complete your profile, including the mandatory fields.
  • Save your information.

Step 2: Navigation after login

  • After logging in, you will be taken to the "Dashboard". https://re-publica.com/en/speaker-dashboard
  • In the dashboard, you can find information about the CfP, read the CfP guidelines and access the FAQs.
  • You can also directly create a session or request support.

Step 3: Submit session

  • Click on 'Submit session' in the tab or 'Click here for entry forms' in the dashboard.
  • Select the festival area for your idea and click 'Submit session'.
  • Fill in the CfP form, especially the mandatory fields with a red asterisk (*).
  • Fill in all the required information such as title, abstract, description, tracks, format, language, speakers, moderator, experience, duration, comments and technical details.
  • Confirm that you have read the CfP guidelines.
  • Click “Save” to save your session.

Step 4: Add contributors

  • If your session has multiple contributors, they will need to each create a profile and enter their profile name.
  • In the CfP form, under "Participants", click "Add another item" and add the profile names.

Step 5: Log out

  • Finally, log out.

Please note that the session must be completed by the CfP deadline of 15 January 2026. Until then, you can log in and make changes at any time. Please use the following link: https://re-publica.com/en/user/login

Good luck with your entry!

 

Your final CfP checklist

 I have created and completed my profile on re-publica.com.

 I have chosen a festival area (conference or off stage) and a programme category (track).

  I know the possible formats (talk, workshop, performance, etc.) and have chosen the one that suits my submission.

 I have read, understood and confirmed the CfP guidelines.

  All contributors have been invited, informed and confirmed.

You are ready - we look forward to your entry!