European Union Office in San Francisco
Established on September 1, 2022, the European Union Office in San Francisco works to support the EU’s cooperation with the United States, namely regarding West Coast stakeholders, digital regulation, and innovation policies. View livestreams of past events by clicking here.
Europe in the Park: Join our Celebration of European Film, Culture, and Cuisine!
Where: Peacock Meadow, Golden Gate Park – 240 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, CA 94117
When: Saturday, September 21, 2:00 – 6:00 PM (PST)
Join us for the first edition of Europe in the Park — a vibrant celebration of European culture right here in San Francisco! On September 21, Peacock Meadow in Golden Gate Park will transform into a European cultural hub featuring a variety of activities, performances, and delicious food. Explore the rich diversity of Europe through interactive exhibits, cultural showcases, and traditional games. Savour authentic European flavours from local vendors, including Dutchman Stroopwafels, Porchetta Toscana, FrankoniYUM (German sausages), and more. All you need to bring is a chair or a picnic blanket to enjoy your time with us!
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HRVP Josep Borrell delivering a keynote speech at our Europe Day 2024 reception
Celebrating Europe Day: Democracy, geopolitics and tech diplomacy in 2024
Each year on May 9th, the European Union commemorates the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, a historic milestone that laid the foundation for a unified, harmonious, and thriving Europe. Take a look at this year's celebration here.
Brussels to the Bay: Promoting free and fair elections online, the EU DSA and beyond
In 2024, more than 4 billion of people are eligible to vote in elections that are taking place in over 60 countries all over the world. Ensuring free and fair elections is at the core of every democracy. Equally, protecting the integrity of elections is one of the main priorities under the EU Digital Services Act. This Brussels to the Bay event featured Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director General of DG CNECT at the European Commission, and renowned academic, civil society and industry experts to discuss the global aspects of the DSA. Learn more about this event by clicking here.
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Brussels to the Bay: How the DMA Transforms Digital Markets and Boosts Innovation
Designated gatekeepers (Amazon, Apple, Bytedance, Google, Meta, and Microsoft) will have to comply with the DMA by March 7. During this Brussels to the Bay event, organized at the eve of the DMA’s full entry into force, experts discussed the DMA’s potential to promote innovation and to strengthen the position of consumers. Learn more about this event by clicking here.
Brussels to the Bay: Strengthening Democracy in a Digital World
The internet plays an indispensable role in the democratic process, promoting the free flow of information and allowing voters to take part in the public debate. To strengthen our democracies, it is critical to safeguard people’s fundamental rights, promote civic discourse and plurality on the internet, and boost trust in political processes. This Brussels to the Bay event, featuring special guest Volker Türk (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights), focuses on the EU and UN’s efforts to reinforce democracy online. Learn more about this event by clicking here.
Brussels to the Bay: The EU AI Act
During the last Brussels to the Bay event of 2023, the EU Office in San Francisco hosted Kilian Gross, head of the team responsible for the development of AI policy at the European Commission in DG CNECT. Mr. Gross presented the ins and outs of the newly agreed AI Act. The event was moderated by Brandie Nonnecke, a leading AI governance scholar at UC Berkeley and the founding director of the CITRIS Policy Lab. Learn more about this event by clicking here.
About Us
The purpose of the San Francisco office:
- Explain EU policies and promote EU-U.S. understanding around technological concerns, policies, and actions
- Support transatlantic alignment and governance based on shared democratic values
- Collect inputs from local stakeholders to feed EU policymaking
The opening of the San Francisco office is a result of the 2021 EU-U.S. Summit's commitment to strengthening transatlantic technological cooperation. It is also a core part of the Conclusions on Digital Diplomacy, adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council in July 2021.
The San Francisco office seeks to promote EU standards and technologies, digital policies and regulations, and governance models. It also aims to strengthen cooperation with U.S. stakeholders, including advancing the work of the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council. Read more about the office opening here.
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Activities
- Engage with policymakers, academia, civil society, and industry that are active in the digital and green sectors on the West Coast
- Report to EU institutions in Brussels about technological trends and policy insights developed and discussed in the United States, namely on the West Coast
- Organize and participate in outreach initiatives to clearly explain the EU's work to boost and regulate the digital economy (e.g. its "Brussels to the Bay" event series)
- Provide in-depth updates about the policymaking process of European tech regulation, as well as the vision, embedded-values, and problem statement behind them
- Facilitate the connection between EU and Bay Area stakeholders, especially regarding visits
Gerard de Graaf
Senior EU Envoy to the U.S. for Digital and Head of the EU Office in San Francisco
Senior EU Envoy for Digital and Head of the new EU Office in San Francisco, Gerard de Graaf has worked for more than 30 years in the European Commission across a wide range of policy areas. Until his recent appointment, he was director in DG CNECT, responsible for the Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts (DSA/DMA), two landmark pieces of legislation which have been recently adopted in the European Union to keep the Internet safe, protect fundamental rights and enhance competition in digital markets.
Previously, Gerard de Graaf was responsible, inter alia, for the EU’s telecommunications and audiovisual policy (including copyright), cyber security, ICT standardization, Startup Europe, ICT and green, and international relations. He has been co-chairing two of the Trade and Technology (TTC) Council Working Groups, on green tech, and on data governance and technology platforms. Read Gerard's full biography here.
Joanna Smolinska
Counsellor for Digital and Deputy Head of the EU Office in San Francisco
Joanna Smolinska is Counsellor for Digital and Deputy Head of the EU Office in San Francisco since September 1, 2022.
Joanna has worked for nearly 15 years in the European Commission across a wide range of policy areas. For the last six years she has worked in the Commission’s Directorate‑General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (CONNECT) responsible for developing EU policy, research, and investments in digital technology and applications. Within CONNECT, Joanna has focused on digital and green transformation, digital services and copyright, regulation, tech standardization, digital skills, blockchain, and technology start-ups/scale-ups. She was actively involved in the development of two recent EU flagship legislative proposals the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act. Previously, she worked on liberalization of regulation of professions, financial regulation, and impact assessment analysis. Read Joanna's full biography here.
EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton speaks at the inauguration of the EU Office in San Francisco (June 23, 2023).
Silicon Valley is a global center for digital technology and innovation. Our presence here reflects our commitment to strengthen transatlantic technological cooperation and to drive the global digital transformation.
Contact us
Reach out to the San Francisco office by filling out the for below or by clicking here.
Reach out to the San Francisco office by filling out the for below or by clicking here.