European Leadership Gathering

We wish to gather voices from all parts of our European mandala, from Center and Group Leadership, Teachers, Sun Camp leadership, the Dorje Kasung, the Global Community Council, Shambhala Global Services as well as others, to meet in person, practice together and share our thoughts and ideas on topics that are important to us all. 

Some of the questions open for exchange could include: 

• What does it mean to hold a leadership role in a community led organisation whose aim is to promote enlightened society? 
• What are helpful methods and skillful means for visioning, network building, decision-making, and feedback-giving? 
• How can these manifest joining together both secular and spiritual context? 
• What is our connection to lineage and what are the practice paths that our community is supporting?

Shambhala Europe and the European Donors Group will be co-sponsoring this event and will finance one person from each center and group in Europe as well as others from related interest groups(see application form).  Travel costs will be paid for by participants, unless otherwise specified. Please let us know if assistance with travel costs is needed.

It is also possible for centers to send an additional person if they wish to finance that with local resources. 

There are a limited number of spaces for this program and attendance will be decided by the Gathering Organising Committee through our application process.

Acceptance to attend will be based on the following factors:

• The goal is to ensure a diversity of participants that represent our Centers, Groups and wider community: Teachers, local and international leaders and various interest groups in order to reflect the richness of our international activity.
• Space and resource limitations at Dechen Chöling
• Financial limitations.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2025

Application Form Here

We ask that you discuss locally who is available and interested,  and will best represent your center/group’s leadership at this gathering. At this stage we recommend you share this information broadly with your community  and have more than one person completing the form to help us ensure thoughtful and inclusive representation of our collective aspirations across our roles, countries, and interests. Additionally, we warmly welcome individuals interested in stepping into leadership roles, provided they have a recommendation or local mandate.

Why we need applications by December 1st

This event is sponsored and has limited space. To be mindful of costs, our goal is for everyone who is interested to apply, be accepted, and book travel soon. This approach will make the European Leadership Gathering more inclusive and representative of our community as well as help yo be able to plan your journey in a timely manner.

If someone would like to attend but is unsure if it is possible, please still apply and leave a comment so we can consider it.

If you are not able to attend, but would like to donate to support others’ participation, please donate at this LINK with a brief note about its purpose.

You will receive an update on your application status by December 15th.

Upon acceptance you will receive a registration link for Dechen Chöling

Have questions? Contact: Heimo Fischer or Claudia Arnau

Application Form Here

Practical information

Arrival day: Thursday 2 April. You’re invited to come from 4 pm in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 6.30 pm, and the orientation talk is at 8 pm. 

End of program: Tuesday 7 April. Closing circle and banquet in the evening

Departure day: Wednesday 8 April. You may leave anytime (no programme). You’re welcome to stay for lunch.