The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Ewelina Oksiuta as its new Director, succeeding Julie Belgrado after almost a decade of leadership.

An avid advocate for European cultural safeguarding, Ewelina has led efforts to protect and promote Europe’s privately-owned historic houses since 2020 at the European Historic Houses (EHH) association, becoming its Secretary General in 2024. Holding a master’s degree in European Studies from the Free University of Brussels, she has developed a strong background in cultural heritage, project management, and international cooperation. Prior to her current role at EHH, Ewelina coordinated the members’ network and projects of an association dedicated to Second World War remembrance tourism. She also gained experience in communications and public relations while working at the Polish Embassy and the Polish Tourism Organisation in Brussels.

The EIBF’s Executive Committee is united in its confidence in Ewelina’s ability to champion freedom of expression, advocate for legislation that empowers, not burdens, small and medium-sized enterprises, and uphold and celebrate Europe’s rich cultural diversity.

EIBF President, Fabian Paagman, states:

"We are truly delighted to welcome Ewelina Oksiuta as the new Director of EIBF. Ewelina brings a unique blend of visionary leadership, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of the European cultural ecosystem. Her passion for empowering booksellers, combined with her innovative spirit and collaborative approach, makes her an outstanding addition to our organisation. We are eager to embark on this exciting journey together and to support her in championing the vital role of booksellers in shaping the future of the book industry in Europe and beyond.”

Incoming EIBF Director, Ewelina Oksiuta, states:

‘’I am truly delighted to join EIBF as its new Director and to become part of a community that shares a deep passion for books and reading. Supporting booksellers, strengthening cultural life, and ensuring that books and bookshops continue to thrive in our cities and communities, and that their voice is heard at the EU level, is a mission I embrace with great enthusiasm. I am so grateful to the EIBF President and the entire Executive Committee for placing their trust in me, and I cannot wait to get to work together.’’

Ewelina will officially take up post as EIBF Director on the 4th of May 2026.

The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) strongly condemns the arrest of Pong Yat-ming and three staff members of Book Punch in Hong Kong for allegedly selling a biography of jailed pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. This arrest is a direct assault on the universal right to access information and ideas, and a dangerous escalation in the suppression of independent voices and intellectual freedom in Hong Kong.

EIBF is resolutely committed to defending the right to publish, sell, and access books without fear of censorship or persecution. The arrest of booksellers for distributing literature is an attack on the core mission of booksellers to provide access to diverse ideas and on the fundamental principle of intellectual freedom.

EIBF President, Fabian Paagman, states:

"Booksellers play a vital role in society by making diverse ideas, perspectives, and debates accessible to the public. Their freedom to curate and offer a wide range of literature is essential to fostering a vibrant cultural landscape and an informed, curious society. The arrest of booksellers for simply providing access to knowledge and literature is an unacceptable attack on intellectual freedom. The EIBF stands firmly with all those who defend the right to read, publish, and sell books without fear of repression.”

EIBF calls for the immediate release of the arrested booksellers and urges the international community to join us in condemning these actions and to stand in solidarity with booksellers and publishers worldwide who face repression for their work.

The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) strongly supports the German Booksellers and Publisher Association (Börsenverein des Deutchen Buchhandels) in condemning the exclusion of three bookshops from the German Bookshop Award. This decision, made without transparency or due process, undermines the award’s integrity and threatens the fundamental values of our industry. Our core concerns regard the following:

• Lack of fair process: The bookshops were excluded without being given a chance to respond to allegations, violating basic principles of fairness.
• Lack of transparency: The opaque ‘Haber’ procedure lacks clarity and contestability, eroding trust in the entire award system.
• Risk to freedom of expression: Bookshops are essential for cultural diversity and democratic discourse. Exclusions based on political assumptions — without evidence — threaten these fundamental values.

Says Fabian Paagman, EIBF President: "Booksellers serve the public by making a wide spectrum of ideas, perspectives and debates accessible. Through their freedom to curate and offer diverse catalogues, they contribute to a pluralistic cultural landscape and to a well-informed, intellectually curious society. Such openness to ideas and debate is one of the essential foundations of a healthy democratic culture. The presence of particular titles in a bookshop must therefore be understood as part of this broader mission of providing access to knowledge, debate and literature." 

Says Gvantsa Jobava, President of the International Publishers Association, IPA: "The IPA supports the European and International Booksellers Federation, and our member, the German Booksellers and Publishers Association. It is with great surprise and disappointment that, in a country so committed to freedom of expression as Germany, we see three bookstores excluded from consideration on the basis of a procedure designed to protect against terrorism but with no detailed justification which would allow them to contest such allegations. We join calls to the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media to review this decision." 

Recognition of a bookshop’s cultural achievements should never depend on the possible political orientation of its product range. Therefore, EIBF urges the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media to review his decision and reinstate the Prize laureates immediately, or provide clear, verifiable evidence for the exclusion.

Find the full press release below.

Earlier this month, the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) had the honor of participating in CEGAL’s (Confederación Española de Gremios y Asociaciones de Libreros) biennial conference: a landmark event that brings together booksellers from across Spain to explore pressing issues in the bookselling sector and the broader editorial ecosystem. This year’s conference, themed Inteligencia Humana (Human Intelligence), sparked vibrant discussions on bibliodiversity, best practices throughout the book chain, and the fundamental right to reading.

The conference served as a platform for booksellers, publishers, and industry experts to exchange ideas and strategies for fostering a more inclusive and sustainable book sector, with topics ranging from the importance of preserving diverse literary voices to the role of booksellers as cultural ambassadors in their communities. The emphasis on Human Intelligence underscored the irreplaceable value of human connection, expertise, and passion in an increasingly digital world.

EIBF’s participation was marked by a keynote speech delivered by Policy Assistant Lorenzo Dall’Omo, who highlighted EIBF’s pivotal role in advocating for booksellers’ interests at the European level and outlined how EIBF engages with European institutions to ensure that the unique challenges and opportunities faced by booksellers are heard and addressed. From policy advocacy to fostering cross-border collaborations, EIBF’s work is instrumental in shaping a supportive environment for independent booksellers across Europe.

The keynote also showcased EIBF’s innovative projects, such as RISE Bookselling, an initiative designed to empower booksellers through training, networking, and knowledge-sharing through initiatives such as the flagship bookseller exchange programme. Additionally, the European Union Prize for Literature was also introduced, a prestigious award that celebrates outstanding literary talent and promotes cultural diversity across the continent. These projects exemplify EIBF’s commitment to strengthening the book sector and ensuring its vitality for future generations.

The conference reinforced the idea that booksellers are not just retailers but guardians of culture and champions of intellectual freedom. By advocating for policies that support bibliodiversity and reading as a constitutional right, EIBF and CEGAL are both paving the way for a more resilient and inclusive literary landscape.

As the book industry continues to evolve, events like CEGAL’s biennial conference remind us of the power of human intelligence, collaboration, creativity, and community, to shape a brighter future for books and those who bring them to life.

The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) is pleased to announce that it has submitted an answer to the European Commission’s consultation on public procurement, providing evidence for the upcoming revision of the Directives, i.e., the European regulatory framework on public procurement. 

EIBF is the voice of booksellers in the European Union and globally. EIBFs members are national Booksellers Associations, who represent all kinds of book retailers, a majority of those being small and medium-sized independent and family-owned bookshops. As representatives of SME and micro retailers, for whom public procurement contracts often represent a significant part of their business, EIBF welcomes this timely revision of the Directives and the opportunity to provide feedback on its necessary improvements.  

Today, it has become increasingly difficult for small independent bookshops to compete in public procurement calls for tenders prepared by local or regional public authorities. This is due mainly to:  

• Excessively large tenders 

• Too many and excessively complex requirements:  

• Lowest price as main (and often only) criteria 

• A practice of awarding contracts by drawing lots 

• Lack of legal options to prioritise local public procurement of books 

For the above reasons, when it comes to the public supply of books, the current legislative framework, and its national transposition, have not succeeded in countering the growing exclusion of small and local bookshops from the procurement process. EIBF thus calls for decision makers to carefully reconsider some of the rules set out in the 2014 EU Directive on Public Procurement in order to allow for a wide range of businesses to participate and compete on a level playing field in public procurement call for tenders. See more information on the specificities of the book sector and the impact of public procurement in the attached position paper. 

Earlier this month, on the 13th of January, EIBF was invited to attend a meeting of the European Parliament’s working group on the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), to discuss Amazon’s compliance with its obligations under the DMA. The legislation aims to ensure fair digital markets by regulating large online platforms (such as Amazon) to prevent them from abusing their market power.

The working group, formed by several members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee, aims to conduct in-depth analysis on the DMA, and evaluate whether it is being adequately implemented. The chair of the working group, MEP Andreas Schwab (EPP), along with working group members and fellow MEPs Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew) and Gheorghe Piperea (ECR) were present at the meeting. 

EIBF was one of the stakeholders invited to share their experiences and observations on the impact of the DMA, along with the trade associations SMEUnited and European Digital SME Alliance. Representatives from Amazon were also present to provide their perspective.

As always, EIBF outlined and reiterated the numerous qualms and issues about Amazon’s conduct vis-à-vis the obligations laid out in the DMA, specifically when it comes to bookselling and booksellers. Indeed, Amazon’s dominance in the book market is raising serious concerns under the DMA, despite the legislation's aim and attempts to curb these issues.

Amazon’s dominance in the book market is creating an unfair and unlevel playing field for independent booksellers. The company acts as both a marketplace for other sellers and a direct retailer of its own books, but current regulations don’t fully cover both roles. This allows Amazon to potentially favour its own products, often pushing competitors (which, once again, also happen to be their clients on the same platform) out of prime sales spots without clear justification.

Booksellers also face hidden barriers, such as restrictions on pricing and pre-orders, as well as extra fees that don’t apply to Amazon’s own sales, which further bolster inequality and unfairness: these practices make it nearly impossible for independent shops to compete on equal terms. At the same time, the lack of transparency around Amazon’s decisions makes it difficult for booksellers to even understand, let alone challenge, these unfair advantages, creating a vicious cycle leading to a situation of impasse and inertia.

In short, Amazon’s dual role and the gaps in oversight are not just hurting competition, they’re threatening the survival of independent bookshops, and the wider system of SMEs, across Europe. Without stronger enforcement, the diversity and vitality of the book market are at risk, which will not only lead to adverse economic consequences, but will also in turn gravely hinder our access to cultural diversity and freedom, a pillar of our democratic societies.

EIBF will continue to monitor DMA implementation and provide evidence to policymakers when possible. Fair competition on equal terms is one of EIBF’s core objectives and we always encourage members to get in touch should they have any input on the implementation and impact of the DMA.

The start of a new year is always a moment for reflection, a time to take stock and to consider where our efforts should be directed in the months ahead. For us at the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), the vision for our work was clearly set out by EIBF President, Fabian Paagman, this past autumn during the European Book Sector event we organised under the framework of the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL). Here below, you can read Fabian Paagman’s contribution to the debate, outlining EIBF’s core principles and vision. 

Shaping the future of EU book policy: EIBF contribution  

It is a pleasure to be here with you today to reflect on the future of European legislation and regulation for the book sector, and to highlight the priorities that the European and International Booksellers Federation, the EIBF, is advocating for in its dialogue with policymakers at the European Commission.  

Booksellers across Europe face both opportunities and challenges in a fast-changing world. The sector represents not only an economic activity, but also a vital cultural service that underpins literacy, freedom of expression, and community life. To ensure that this role can continue to thrive, we need a policy framework that both protects our core values and provides the right conditions for growth.  

Let me take you through three central pillars that EIBF has identified: Core Principles, Ensuring the Right Conditions, and Culture as a Vector.  

1. Core Principles  

First and foremost, we must defend freedom of expression and the protection of cultural professionals. History has shown us that in times of crisis, books and those who sell them are often among the first to be censored or attacked. Today, with rising extremism and polarization, we see worrying signs of book bans, intimidation, and threats against authors and booksellers. EIBF calls on policymakers to remain vigilant in safeguarding this fundamental right.  

Equally important is standing up for literacy. Reading is not only a source of knowledge and enjoyment—it is also the foundation of active citizenship and social cohesion. Yet literacy levels are declining across Europe. We therefore urge the Commission to support initiatives that promote reading, guarantee access to diverse and inclusive books, and ensure that all Europeans—young and old—have the opportunity to read.  

Finally, we need to safeguard cultural businesses. Bookshops are small and medium-sized enterprises operating on very thin margins. New laws and regulations, if not carefully designed, can create additional burdens and accelerate the decline of independent bookshops. As Commissioner Micallef has said, culture must be able to pay rent. That means legislation must be thoughtful, proportionate, and supportive, not another obstacle for cultural SMEs trying to survive.  

2. Ensuring the Right Conditions  

The second pillar is about creating the right environment for the book sector to flourish.  

One crucial step is to develop a robust data collection system for cultural sectors. You cannot improve what you cannot measure. Reliable, EU-level data on employment, funding, digitalisation, and sustainability will provide the evidence base needed for sound policymaking.  

We also need stronger education and vocational training for cultural professionals. Bookselling is both an art and a business. It requires literary knowledge, retail skills, and increasingly digital competences. Many countries still lack formal training pathways for booksellers. Providing such education would make bookselling a more attractive career, strengthen literacy promotion, and support economic resilience.  

Next, we must empower the sector through sustainability, inclusion, and digital innovation. Many bookshops are already experimenting with greener business models, modern e-commerce tools, and diverse book collections. But these efforts require support—access to the right tools, knowledge, and funding—so that no one is left behind in the transition.  

And finally, pooling resources and knowledge. Too often, cultural and creative industries work in silos. We need structured opportunities to exchange practices, unlock synergies, and share resources. This will not only foster innovation but also strengthen the resilience of the entire cultural ecosystem.  

3. Culture as a Vector  

The third pillar is about recognising culture not just as a sector, but as a strategic vector for Europe’s future.  

We need to ensure that culture has a strong, autonomous, and well-funded place in the EU budget. The Creative Europe programme, despite being small—less than 0.2% of the EU’s budget—is the only tool dedicated to transnational cultural cooperation. It must remain protected, stand-alone, and adequately financed.  

Moreover, culture is key to achieving broader societal and global goals. From contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals, to fostering social cohesion and democratic resilience, to supporting Europe’s competitiveness, culture delivers far beyond its sector. Booksellers are part of this bigger picture. They transform global ambitions into local impact—whether by curating inclusive collections, hosting community events, or promoting lifelong learning.  

To conclude, the future of the European book sector depends on policy that respects our core principles, equips us with the right conditions, and elevates culture as a central pillar of the European project.  

Freedom of expression, literacy, and fair treatment for cultural SMEs must remain non-negotiable. At the same time, we must invest in data, education, sustainability, and cooperation, so that our sector is prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. And finally, we must ensure that culture—our books, our stories, our shared heritage—is not treated as an afterthought, but as a driver of democracy, resilience, and prosperity for Europe.  

The EIBF stands ready to continue working with the European Commission and all stakeholders to shape a sustainable and inspiring future for books and bookshops across Europe.  

You can read more about EIBF’s principles and vision in our manifesto, here. 

As 2025 comes to a close, we look back on a year marked by collaboration and meaningful progress for booksellers across Europe and beyond. Our work took us to international stages, brought important advocacy victories for the sector and marked significant transitions within our organisation. Here are some of the highlights that shaped this remarkable year.  

EIBF at international events   

Throughout the year, we were privileged to participate in a range of members’ and partners’ events across the globe. From meeting overseas colleagues at the American Booksellers Association (ABA)’s Winter Institute in Denver, Colorado, to discussing the book sector’s sustainability at the Rencontres internationales de l’ecologie pour le livre in Strasbourg, France and book promotion at the Torino Book Fair, to mention a few. These gatherings strengthened our ties with national associations and offered invaluable insight into the shared challenges and innovations emerging in the global bookselling landscape. Our presence abroad reaffirmed EIBF’s position on the global stage as the voice of booksellers.  

Advocating for booksellers interests

On 19 March 2025, EIBF President Fabian Paagman, Director Julie Belgrado and Policy Team Tora Åsling and Lorenzo Dall'Omo had the pleasure to meet with European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sports, Glenn Micallef . We greatly appreciated the Commissioner's openness and keen interest in our sector, as well as the opportunity to exchange views on the priorities of booksellers across Europe.

RISE Conference in Riga, Latvia  

We hosted another vibrant edition of the RISE Bookselling Conference. This conference has become a true highlight, which we look forward to every year. EIBF is incredibly proud that the RISE conference has grown into this milestone event, and honoured by the popularity and high attendance participants reward us with each year. The RISE conference is the first and only international event dedicated entirely to bookselling. Since 2023, we bring together over 300 booksellers, book sector professionals, and cultural actors from all over the world.   

Celebrating emerging fiction writers through EUPL  

As a part of the consortium behind the European Union Prize for Literature, EIBF was proud to once again ensure the initiative helps celebrating emerging fiction writers from Creative Europe countries and bringing distinctive voices to readers across borders. On 15 May, at the Prague Book Fair in Czechia, the 2025 EUPL laureate, Italian Nicoletta Verna, was announced, together with two special mentions: Sheila Armstrong, Ireland and Philippe Marczewski, Belgium.  

EIBF at the Frankfurt Book Fair  

At the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse, besides one-on-one meetings with members and stakeholders, EIBF had the opportunity to co-organise, along with the Fair’s Frankfurt Calling programme, the Bookselling in Times of War panel, spotlighting booksellers and they ways in which they sustain their work when polarisation, censorship, or even full-scale war threatens them and the communities they serve.  

Publication of the EIBF AI Charter  

A major milestone of 2025 was the release of the EIBF Charter on Artificial Intelligence, establishing guiding principles for EIBF’s approach to the responsible use of AI in the book sector. The Charter aims to help navigate technological change in a way that protects the principle of copyright while staying open to innovations.  

EUDR – A historic victory for the book sector 

Throughout 2025, EIBF has diligently advocated for the interests of booksellers as policymakers shape the EU’s political agenda. One of the year’s defining achievements was the agreement between the Council and the European Parliament, that books should be excluded from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This agreement recognises the unique nature and democratic value of books, as well as the sector’s commitment to sustainability. It was the result of extensive advocacy efforts, from EIBF and its membership, and a testament to all the booksellers who mobilised and made the voice of booksellers heard by European decisionmakers.   

End of an Era – Julie Belgrado’s departure 

 In 2025, we also said goodbye to our long-serving Director, Julie Belgrado, whose 11 years of leadership and dedication shaped EIBF into the organisation it is today. Her vision and commitment leave a lasting legacy.  

Looking ahead: Verona, new leadership, and renewed engagement  

As we prepare for 2026, we look forward to welcoming a new Director to the EIBF team and to gathering once again for the next RISE Conference—this time in the beautiful city of Verona, Italy on 19-20 April. We also eagerly anticipate reconnecting with our members and partners at international trade events throughout the year. 2025 reminded us that our strength lies in community and collaboration, and the shared belief that bookshops and books are pillars for culture, society and democracy.

EIBF celebrates historic agreement: printed products — including books — to be excluded from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) celebrates today’s provisional agreement between the Council and the European Parliament to correct the EUDR and remove printed products — such as books, newspapers and magazines — from its scope.

This landmark agreement reflects a clear understanding of the particular nature of books and printed media, which do not present a deforestation risk given that the vast majority are already produced using certified, recycled and sustainably sourced paper. It also recognises the extensive advocacy efforts by EIBF, together with a broad coalition of Europe’s book, magazine and newspaper publishers. Furthermore, this agreement is a testament to the mobilisation of thousands of booksellers across Europe, who — encouraged by EIBF — reached out to their national governments and Members of the European Parliament and made their voices heard. Legislators have acknowledged that applying full due-diligence obligations to printed products would have created disproportionate and unnecessary burdens for the sector, with consequences for the wider book ecosystem, including libraries and educational institutions, and for cultural diversity across Europe.

The book sector remains fully committed to further improving its environmental footprint. Today’s acknowledgment of the unintended impact the original EUDR scope could have had on cultural diversity is an important encouragement, giving our sector the clarity and confidence to continue investing proactively in sustainable practices.

Acknowledging the key success for books and cultural diversity, EIBF President Fabian Paagman remarked: 

“This agreement is a profound victory for Europe’s cultural and knowledge-based sectors. It shows that environmental protection and cultural access go hand in hand. By enabling books to continue circulating freely, we strengthen Europe’s pluralism, our bookshops and citizens’ access to information and ideas — while continuing to advance the sector’s commitment to sustainability. This decision also recognises the sector’s ongoing efforts to further improve its sustainability, giving us confidence to continue building a greener future for books. We now call on all EU institutions to confirm this necessary correction and ensure its swift and full implementation.”

With this decision, the EU safeguards both forests and citizens’ access to literature, cultural diversity and knowledge. We now await the formal confirmation of the agreement by both the Council and the European Parliament, and trust that this process will proceed swiftly and without delay. 

The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) is pleased to announce the opening of recruitment for its next Director, following the departure of Julie Belgrado, whose decade of dedicated leadership has been central to EIBF’s growth and success.

EIBF represents the global voice of booksellers, championing book-friendly policies, leading EU and international projects, and supporting a dynamic network of national booksellers’ associations across Europe and beyond. Based in Brussels, the organisation engages closely with the EU policy environment to foster a resilient, diverse and sustainable bookselling sector worldwide.

We are now seeking an experienced, forward-looking Director to lead our Brussels secretariat and represent booksellers at the highest levels of EU and international policymaking. This is a unique opportunity to guide a small but highly active organisation with a strong mission and an engaged global community.

What we’re looking for

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven leadership experience in a cultural organisation, NGO, federation, policy, or lobbying environment
• A strong understanding of EU policymaking and the Brussels landscape
• Experience managing EU-funded projects and working with a broad range of stakeholders
• A collaborative, diplomatic approach to relationship-building across borders
• Excellent communication skills and confidence as a spokesperson
• Solid organisational, strategic and financial management capabilities
• A genuine affinity with books, reading, and the cultural sector
• Fluency in English; French highly preferred; other EU languages are an asset

About the role

• Location: Brussels
• Sector: Books, culture, EU policy
• Salary: €80,000 (or equivalent contracting arrangement)

If you are passionate about books, committed to supporting the cultural sector, and motivated by the prospect of leading an international, mission-driven organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you.

How to apply

To express interest or request further information, please email the hiring agency at eibf@madlinhanna.com. Deadline for applications is 9 January 2026.