The Friends of ERA is an association comprising 420 individual members and 17 institutional members, uniting legal professionals committed to the effective application of European law. For 33 years, the Friends of ERA have provided a space for the European legal community to not only share a common interest in EU law, but also to support the Academy’s work with impactful events, expertise and contributions to selected training activities.
A Year of Growth and Engagement
In 2024, The Friends of ERA community grew with 60 new individual members and one institutional member, the National Attorneys’ Training Center to the Supreme Bar Council of Bulgaria. This steady increase reflects the ongoing commitment of legal professionals to the association’s mission.
In addition, the Young Friends of ERA Chapter expanded, welcoming 47 new members since its launch in late 2023. This dynamic group organised online events and joint activities with national Chapters, strengthening the ties between young legal professionals and ERA.
Total number of Members
Individual members
Institutional members
Highlights
Networking remains a cornerstone of the Friends of ERA, with ten events organized by national Chapters across Europe in 2024. These included both online and in-person meetings, facilitating discussions on EU law and legal cooperation.
National chapter activities
German Chapter
Online, 14 March 2024
The legal service of the European Parliament and the 2024 European elections
Online, 1 October 2024
A wake-up call for democracy: Discussion with Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the EP
Italian Chapter
Rome, 18 April 2024
The return of geo-economics and Europe
Luxembourg Chapter
Luxembourg, 6 June 2024
Guided Visit to the Philharmonie of Luxembourg
Luxembourg, 14 November 2024
Visit to the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and dinner with the Luxembourg Friends of ERA
Portuguese Chapter
Porto, 11 October 2024
Visiting the wine museum of Porto and wine tasting with a WOW factor!
Spanish Chapter jointly with the Young Friends of ERA CHAPTER
Online, 13 June 2024
Women in the legal profession and gender equality
UK Chapter
Online, 16 January 2024 jointly with the Young Friends of ERA Chapter
Reduction of Rights of UK Citizens after Brexit
Online, 4 December 2024
A review of the arrangements for resolution of disputes between the EU and UK post-Brexit, including a review of the special conditions set for Northern Ireland
Young Friends of ERA CHAPTER
Online, 28 February 2024
YFoE Law Session: Direct Effect and Primacy of EU Law: The PSPP case
Contributions
The Association’s support for the ERA Scholarship Programme remained steadfast in 2024: A total of €30,245.08 was allocated to scholars who were able to attend ERA’s legal training courses and seminars thanks to the financial grant generated by the Association’s funding activities. More details can be read in the separate report.
The Friends of ERA also launched the ERA Fund for Ukraine and the Western Balkans, which raised 2,850 € in its first year. This fund supports study visits at ERA and European institutions for trainers and subsidises participation fees for EU law training seminars in these regions.
The Friends of ERA continued its sponsorship of the Young European Lawyers Contest, awarding €3,000 in prizes to the winning teams at the final held at the Court of Justice of the EU in Luxembourg. Vanessa Knapp OBE, a member of the Board of the Friends of ERA Association, presented the awards in recognition of the participants’ excellence.