Stefan Sipka

Stefan Šipka

Head of Sustainable Prosperity for Europe and Senior Policy Analyst

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

Publications

Projects

Media Mentions

Contributions

Current Affairs Broadcast

Discusses a TV interview that our current fuel crisis is a symptom of a bigger challenge, and we must think about a long-term transition.

Yle News TV

Oct 02, 2026

With: Stefan Šipka

Read original source

Trump threatens to stop diesel exports – pressures Europe to release reserves

According to several observers, the discussion about national tax breaks and EU strategic reserves is only part of a bigger picture. Stefan Šipka, head of programming at the European Policy Centre think tank in Brussels, believes that this week's crisis meetings risk giving a false sense of security.

"We have done some things and think that it is enough, but it is not. This is not the first energy crisis, and it is unlikely to be the last either," says Šipka.

He points out that although the EU has reduced its dependence on Russian gas in particular since 2022, the transition in the transport sector has been significantly slower.

"The question is not whether anything has changed for the better. It has. The question is whether this is enough. And this crisis clearly shows that it is not," he says.

Šipka warns that broad short-term support measures, such as tax cuts, could become a costly trap in the longer term.

"If we just patch and fix every time prices rise, we risk getting stuck in this type of crisis forever. And quick fixes are often expensive.

Yle News

Oct 02, 2026

With: Stefan Šipka

Read original source

An important hour

We need to decrease our dependence on the global fossil fuel market and on countries that may take retaliatory measures against us.

TV comment starts at 18:30

Lithuanian National Radio and Television

Oct 02, 2026

With: Stefan Šipka

Read original source

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.

Sep 02, 2023

Euronews

FUTURE OF EUROPE

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.

Jul 26, 2023

Clean Air Fund

AIR POLLUTION

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.

Mar 01, 2023

Veolia Institute

CLIMATE

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.

Jun 28, 2021

Green European Journal

AIR POLLUTION

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.

Jun 18, 2021

One Earth - Cell Press

DIGITALISATION

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.

Nov 12, 2020 , Yerevan

SUSTAINABILITY

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.

Feb 20, 2020 , Belgique/Belgie

Euranet Plus News Agency

SUSTAINABLE EU

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

SUSTAINABILITY

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

SUSTAINABILITY

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

SUSTAINABILITY

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

SUSTAINABILITY

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

SUSTAINABILITY

CONFERENCE