Working together for a stronger digital nation
ECP and SIDN introduce the Digital Netherlands Festival
Our strategic digital autonomy is under threat, the rapid rise of AI is driving change, and the social impact of digital technology is constantly increasing. “We have to address major challenges of this kind collectively,” asserts Arie van Bellen, Director of ECP | Platform for the Information Society. “We need a single national partnership, with everyone in our digital ecosystem involved.” In line with that vision, ECP and SIDN are introducing the Digital Netherlands Festival: a 2-day event on 18 and 19 November 2026. Arie van Bellen and SIDN’s CEO Roelof Meijer talk about their ambitions and invite others to get onboard.
Unified national digitisation summit
ECP is an independent, neutral platform that brings together governments, researchers, the business community, educational institutes and civil society organisations. Participants share knowledge and work together to promote a reliable, opportunity-rich and resilient digital society. For many years, the ECP’s Annual Festival has been a key opportunity for everyone active in the field to get together. Now, after 27 successful editions of that event, ECP and SIDN are joining forces to organise its successor: the Digital Netherlands Festival.
Why join forces?
“Our digital society’s current approach to technical, governance and ethical issues lacks unity,” says Roelof. “It’s common to have multiple congresses devoted to a given topic, with the result that debate is fragmented. By organising a joint event, we can offer a wider programme and a more valuable network. We can adopt a truly shared approach to shaping our information society responsibly. There are other advantages too. The Netherlands has to respond to international developments by finding practical solutions. Although the Netherlands is one of the best-performing digital economies in Europe, it’s slowly losing ground. So it’s vital that we work together for a stronger digital nation.”
From dialogue to action
Against that background, there will be more to the Digital Netherlands Festival than inspiration or knowledge-sharing. It’ll also be a vehicle for putting key themes – such as European digital sovereignty and internet infrastructure security – firmly on the public and political agenda. Professionals working in the Dutch digital ecosystem will get together to advance a shared vision: a secure, reliable, innovative and successful digital nation. The 2-day event will reinforce the sense of shared responsibility. And give impetus to further efforts to address the challenges we face. Especially if the key people are present: decision-makers within government, the business community, civil society, education and science.
ECP’s Annual Festival is testament to the way physical gatherings promote dialogue and action. “Take the presentation on digital relations with the US that Rob de Wijk, Professor of International Relations and Security, gave at this year’s festival,” says Arie. “As soon as he was finished, the people present started talks.”
Invitation to partners
SIDN and ECP are inviting other stakeholders and partners to contribute to this new national summit. Or to create a place at the festival for the subjects covered by their own congresses. Roelof cites SIDN’s own annual event, SIDN Inspire, as an example. “Some of the themes of SIDN Inspire are addressed at the ECP Annual Festival as well. So, starting this year, SIDN Inspire has been integrated with the ECP Annual Festival. If the subject matter of other congresses were brought under the festival’s umbrella as well, the programme would be even more extensive and relevant. With a central location and increased networking opportunities for everyone present.”
Arie and Roelof have ambitious ideas for the future. “Ideally, I’d like to see all the Netherlands’ digitisation-related events unified to create an intensive week-long gathering,” says Roelof. “The international cybersecurity event known as the ONE Conference is a perfect candidate for inclusion. Unification makes attendance more attractive and more efficient for the target audience.” For now, however, the priority is recruiting partners and organising the first edition of the new festival. Arie emphasises that, at the 2026 event, getting together, inspiring one another and setting the agenda will be more important than ever. By working together, we can continue advancing a strong and responsible digital nation.
Interested in contributing to the Digital Netherlands Festival? Mail info@nederlanddigitaalfestival.nl.
During the ECP Annual Festival, Arie and Roelof discussed the new event. Watch the video.
