BEDA General Assembly 2025, 16 May, Brussels

BEDA General Assembly 2025 Report

20/05/25

Following the 56th General Assembly (GA) of The Bureau of European Design Associations (BEDA) held on 16 May and hosted by Wallonie-Bruxelles Design/Mode (WBDM) in Brussels, BEDA is delighted to announce the one year experiment of presidency extension and four new members alongside the launch of the MADres project.

‘Before this year’s BEDA GA, I moderated a panel at munich creative business week on “How to Design Vibrant Communities?”… Spending time at the BEDA GA in Brussels with our members confirmed that BEDA itself is a vibrant community of organisations and people — diverse yet united, and undoubtedly stronger together.’

Christina Melander, BEDA President

Extension of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Term

During the GA, BEDA members approved the proposal to extend the President and Vice President’s terms by one year to ensure continuity in leadership and strategic progress. This change allows more time to build relationships, implement initiatives, and support a major European project (MADres) launched in March 2025. It strengthens BEDA’s influence, provides greater value to members, and enhances BEDA’s ability to represent the design community effectively across Europe.

Welcoming New Member Organisation to BEDA

BEDA members unanimously ratified four new organisations as full members. This brings the total number of BEDA’s organisational members to 51 organisations across 28 European countries.

New BEDA member organisations (in no particular order):

MADres Project

MADres, a strategic initiative introduced during the GA, positions design as a key driver of Europe’s digital, green, and social transitions. Co-funded by the EU’s Creative Europe Programme and BEDA, it strengthens the European design community by developing expertise in AI and digital ethics, planetary design, and inclusive business. Through its Living Design Policy Framework, MADres aims to embed responsible, inclusive, and sustainable design into national and EU-level policies for lasting impact.

Call for Applications

Concerning the MADres project, BEDA is calling for applications to a fixed-term research internship and a working student position. More information on the BEDA website: beda.org/topic/madres/

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Evija Kraukle
communication{at}beda.org

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Last updated: 21/05/25