Stefan Šipka is a Senior Policy Analyst and Head of the Sustainable Prosperity for Europe programme working on environmental policies and smarter use of resources. His immediate focus revolves, in particular, around the circular economy, EU common agricultural policy, and interlinkages between these and other relevant policies at the EU and global level.
Stefan's engagement in the EPC is built upon his previous academic and professional background in environment, public policy, international relations and the EU. He worked for more than five years in the Belgrade think tank Centar za evropske politike (CEP), the EU Delegation to Serbia and the Hungarian National Waste Management Agency. His professional and academic output includes numerous research publications, policy papers, advocacy events, and legislative, policy and project proposals.
Stefan is dedicated to environmental protection and sustainability commitments and believes that EU policies can deliver substantial improvements in this regard.
PROGRAMME
Sustainable Prosperity for Europe
PROJECTS
Brussels Economic Security Forum
The Multiannual Financial Framework and National Energy and Climate Plans
Industrial Policy Task Force
E-waste and the creation of a digital circular economy
European Energy Poverty Observatory
Disruptive Technologies Series
Digitalisation as an enabler for Circular Economy
Digital Single Market
Digital Roadmap for a Circular Economy
Cleaner air: Time to capture the benefits
The Green Deal for real
Managing the crises of today and tomorrow
Digitalisation for sustainable and resilient agri-food system
Digitalisation for the green transition: Empowering community action
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Circular economy, agriculture and rural development, environmental assessment and public participation
CURRENT POSITIONS
Head of Sustainable Prosperity for Europe Programme and Senior Policy Analyst
EDUCATION
MSs in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management, Lund University and Central European University
MA and BA in International Relations, University of Belgrade
LANGUAGES
English, German, Serbian, Italian
EPC ROUND-UP
Mar 18, 2026
by
Corina Stratulat, Amanda Paul, Elizabeth Kuiper, Stefan Šipka, Samuel Goodger
EPC ROUND-UP
Mar 13, 2026
by
Alberto-Horst Neidhardt, Amanda Paul, Eric Maurice, Paul Taylor, Almut Möller, Emma Woodford, Stefan Šipka, Paweł Świeboda, Varg Folkman, Elixabete Arrieta, Mihai Sebastian Chihaia
To the Point
Mar 04, 2026
by
Stefan Šipka
POLICY BRIEF
Feb 27, 2026
by
Anna Crawford, Stefan Šipka, Ana Berdzenishvili
To the Point
Feb 18, 2026
by
Stefan Šipka
To the Point
Jan 28, 2026
by
Stefan Šipka
COMMENTARY
Dec 11, 2025
by
Pauline Gerard, Stefan Sipka
EPC FLASH ANALYSIS
Mar 17, 2025
by
Stefan Sipka
DISCUSSION PAPER
Oct 01, 2024
by
Stefan Sipka, Marialena Stagianni
DISCUSSION PAPER
Feb 29, 2024
by
Stefan Šipka, Philipp Lausberg
COMMENTARY
Feb 14, 2024
by
Stefan Sipka, Brooke Moore, Marialena Stagianni
DISCUSSION PAPER
Jul 06, 2023
by
Stefan Sipka, Annika Hedberg, Simon Dekeyrel, Melanie Fessler, Danielle Brady
EPC FLASH ANALYSIS
May 30, 2023
by
Stefan Sipka
DISCUSSION PAPER
Jun 13, 2022
by
Stefan Šipka, Elizabeth Kuiper, Francesco De Angelis, Perle Petit, Emily Fitzpatrick, Melanie Fessler, Marta Mucznik, Silvia Carta, Annika Hedberg, Corina Stratulat, Johannes Greubel, Janis A. Emmanouilidis
COMMENTARY
May 11, 2022
by
Stefan Sipka
DISCUSSION PAPER
Nov 17, 2021
by
Stefan Sipka, Annika Hedberg
COMMENTARY
Nov 27, 2020
by
Stefan Sipka
DISCUSSION PAPER
Nov 02, 2020
by
Stefan Sipka, Annika Hedberg
DISCUSSION PAPER
Jul 13, 2020
by
Stefan Sipka, Annika Hedberg
COMMENTARY
Apr 20, 2020
by
Stefan Sipka
DISCUSSION PAPER
Jul 05, 2019
by
Stefan Sipka, Annika Hedberg, Johan Bjerkem
POLICY BRIEF
Dec 07, 2018
by
Stefan Sipka
Brussels, My Love? EU climate chief quits Brussels for national politics
Stefan Sipka participated Euronews' talk show "Brussels, my love?". The episode focused on the EU's climate plans after Frans Timmerman's departure and whether Spanish regional languages can become official EU languages.
Watch the full episode here.
Watch the full episode here.
Sep 02, 2023
Euronews
PANEL DISCUSSION
Clean air in the EU: the basis for healthier societies, social justice and sustainable prosperity
Annika Hedberg and Stefan Šipka wrote a blog post, published by the Clean Air Fund, on how to achieve cleaner air in Europe. The post is based on the EPC's Discussion Paper, "Towards a cleaner air in Europe: Time for a stronger vision and more action".
Read the blog post here.
Read the blog post here.
Jul 26, 2023
Clean Air Fund
ARTICLE
The role of European Union policies in accelerating the green transition
Annika Hedberg and Stefan Sipka wrote an article published by Veolia Institute on the EU's role in accelerating the green transition. The authors analysed key EU directives, the European Green Deal objectives, and the challenges and prospects for moving forward.
The article is available in English and in French.
The article is available in English and in French.
Mar 01, 2023
Veolia Institute
ARTICLE
Everyone’s Problem: Tackling Air Pollution in Europe’s Cities
Stefan Sipka provided comments for the "Everyone's Problem: Tackling Air Pollution in Europe's Cities" article published by the Green European Journal.
You can read the article here.
You can read the article here.
Jun 28, 2021
Green European Journal
ARTICLE
Toward a circular economy: The role of digitalization
Annika Hedberg and Stefan Sipka wrote a commentary entitled "Toward a circular economy: The role of digitalization" published in the One Earth monthly journal from Cell Press. The authors argued that although not actively recognized, the ongoing digital transformation can serve as an enabler and even as a catalyst for creating a circular economy.
You can read the commentary here.
You can read the commentary here.
Jun 18, 2021
One Earth - Cell Press
COMMENTARY
Forum on Local Democracy on Decentralisation and local economic development
Stefan Spika moderated a session at the Forum on Local Democracy on ‘Decentralisation and local economic development’ in Yerevan.
The event was organised by the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development, the Association of Communities of Armenia, and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
The event was organised by the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development, the Association of Communities of Armenia, and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
Nov 12, 2020
, Yerevan
PANEL DISCUSSION
“Farm to Fork” Strategy: Making it Palatable to Farmers
Stefan Sipka was interviewed by Euranet Plus on the Farm-to-Fork Strategy.
The recording of the interview can be found here.
The recording of the interview can be found here.
Feb 20, 2020
, Belgique/Belgie
Euranet Plus News Agency
INTERVIEW
Digital and circular – creating conditions for a sustainable growth
Stefan Sipka spoke at a panel conference in Belgrade on ‘Digital and circular – creating conditions for a sustainable growth’.
Dec 09, 2019
, Belgrade, Srbija
Serbian Ministry for Environmental Protection and UNDP
CONFERENCE
Together for a sustainable Europe
Stefan Sipka moderated a discussion on ‘Together for a sustainable Europe: linking climate action with the circular economy’.
Nov 04, 2019
, Belgique/Belgie
Permanent representation of Sweden to the EU
PANEL DISCUSSION
Towards a digital bioeconomy in the Baltic Sea Region
Stefan Sipka spoke at a seminar ‘Towards a digital bioeconomy in the Baltic Sea Region’ as part of the 10th Annual Forum of the Strategy for the Baltic Region 2019.
Jun 12, 2019
EUSBR PA Innovation and EUSBSR PA Bioeconomy
CONFERENCE
Educational seminar at the Mid-Norway European Office
Stefan Sipka spoke at an educational seminar at the Mid-Norway European Office.
Jun 07, 2019
Mid-Norway European Office
WORKSHOP
What to expect on Sustainable finance 2019-2024
Stefan Sipka moderated a panel discussion during the event ‘What to expect on Sustainable finance 2019-2024’ hosted by Accountancy Europe.
Jun 05, 2019
Accountancy Europe
CONFERENCE
