About us
The founders of the European Academy Inntal are pioneers who move between Tyrol and Bavaria, bringing extensive expertise in European education, dialogue, and integration. With the European Academy Inntal, we want to offer everyone along the Inn River—and beyond—a platform that fosters enriching cooperation and exchange about Europe.
The Academy
There are countless commonalities, points of contact — and also differences — between countries and regions. Cross-border activities are particularly fascinating, as they foster strong exchange between people of different backgrounds. This allows us to learn from one another and grow together — always within the European context.
The European Academy Inntal e.V. stands for interregional encounters in the border area between Tyrol and Bavaria. We are a politically and religiously independent association. Our goal is to provide information on topics related to the European Union and thereby contribute to European education. We value and cultivate European networks on regional, national, and international levels.
The River Inn, as one of Europe’s most important rivers, symbolizes the connecting, boundless flow — a central waterway that represents the diversity and beauty of the European landscape. It rises in the Swiss Alps in the Engadin region, flows through Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, and after 517 km joins the Danube at Passau. Along its course, it touches many towns and cities that serve as stations for the European Academy Inntal’s activities. For these reasons, it also holds symbolic importance as a key element in our academy’s logo.
Why do we believe this academy is precisely what has been missing? Munich is far away, Vienna even farther … yet we, the inhabitants of this border region — apart from the “big” European political activities — live a small piece of Europe every day. Together, with knowledge and exchange, we can use this experience to create a shared and positive way of living Europe.
Our Goals
We are a forum for integration, European education, and mutual understanding. With our experience, we aim to help deepen knowledge about the European Union and, more concretely, to foster encounters in the border region along the Inn River and beyond. To this end, we cooperate with other European and pro-European institutions such as European Houses, academies, exchange organizations, regional offices of the European Parliament and the European Commission or their representations, pro-European associations, as well as regional and interregional funding partners.
Educate
We want to promote understanding and enthusiasm for European topics, especially in the cross-border region between Tyrol and Bavaria.
Inform
We want to inform and encourage dialogue. In this way, existing knowledge can be strengthened and new ideas can emerge.
Connect
We want to deepen existing networks between Tyrol and Bavaria and create new connections between people.
Our Topics
Whether it’s climate change, the development of democracy in the EU, youth exchange and European education policy, tourism and transport, AI development, consumer protection, economic cooperation, food production and agriculture, the single market, freedom of movement, harmonization of social and tax systems, freedom of information and media policy, EU enlargement including support for Ukraine, or foreign and security policy — we are fundamentally open to all Europe-related topics that matter to citizens in our region.
What we bring to the table is our expertise in understanding and methodically deepening content that affects people in both Tyrol and Bavaria, as well as our close network dedicated to European work. The topics we engage with do not necessarily have to seem “European” at first glance — but in our experience, upon a closer look, there are hardly any areas of life or politics left where the European Union and our everyday lives do not intersect.
Team
Dr. Natascha Zeitel-Bank (Dipl. Soz.)
Chairwoman / Board Member
Communication scientist with teaching, research, and professional experience in media, journalism, and public relations at the University of Innsbruck (https://www.uibk.ac.at/de/medien-kommunikation/institut/team/natascha-zeitel-bank/).
Studied and earned her doctorate at the Universities of Mannheim and Nuremberg. Conducts workshops and teaching activities in (continuing) education programs in Innsbruck and Munich. Serves as a Young Science science ambassador and is a member of the speaker network “Team Europe Direct” of the Permanent Representation of the European Commission in Berlin.
She has many years of experience as a journalist specializing in European reporting, particularly for ZDF and BR in Brussels, Berlin, Mainz, Nuremberg, and Munich, as well as in the press team of the European Commission in Brussels (Europe by Satellite). She continues to be active in PR and journalism in southern Germany and the cross-border region. Lives in Munich and Innsbruck.
Volunteering as a member of the executive board of Europa-Union Deutschland (EUD) — Germany’s largest independent citizens’ initiative for Europe (https://www.europa-union.de/ueber-uns/gremien/praesidium) — and also serves on the boards of Europa-Union Bayern (https://eu-bayern.de/funktionen/) and Europa-Union München (https://eu-bayern.de/bv-muenchen/personen/).
Previously worked for several years as a PR and project manager at Tirol Werbung, responsible for the French and Italian markets.
More information: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-natascha-zeitel-bank
Ehrenamtlich aktiv im Präsidium der Europa-Union Deutschland (EUD), der größten unabhängigen Bürgerinitiative für Europa (https://www.europa-union.de/ueber-uns/gremien/praesidium), zudem im Vorstand der Europa-Union Bayern (https://eu-bayern.de/funktionen/) und München (https://eu-bayern.de/bv-muenchen/personen/). Mehrjährige PR-/Projektmanagerin bei der Tirolwerbung für die Märkte Frankreich und Italien. Mehr unter: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-natascha-zeitel-bank
Miriam Leunissen (Dipl. Jour. Univ.)
Chairwoman / Board Member
Motto: “Never give EU up.”
Favorite European Reading: “The European Dream” by economist and trend researcher Jeremy Rifkin — an American who opens our eyes to how unique and extraordinary the “European peace project” truly is.
Independent communications expert working with globally and Europe-wide active SMEs and associations. Primarily based in Kufstein, working in Munich and Rosenheim. Of German-Dutch heritage, raised in Bavarian Swabia. Her first job involved EU projects in the fields of environment and digitalization. At age 16, she famously asked for a “European ID card” — much to the amusement of her hometown’s administrative staff.
Holds dual degrees: a Diplom in Journalism and an M.A. with a focus on International Politics. Long-time university lecturer in PR and journalism alongside her professional work as a freelance journalist. A true digital native in her profession. Active member of Europa-Union Bayern.
Full profile on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamleunissen/
Johannes Pirchner (History & European Ethnologie, B.A., History, M.A.)
Treasurer
Trained at a vocational school for commerce and office administration, followed by professional experience as an office clerk. Freelance journalist and local council politician in Wängle with a passion for the topic “Europe at the local level.” Writes on politics, economics, culture, and history. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and European Ethnology from the University of Innsbruck, with a Master’s thesis focusing on Bavaria.
Another project: developing a concept for a community newspaper. In this context, also involved in the EU project “Europe Begins in the Municipality,” a network of local council members promoting EU-related topics at the grassroots level.
Engelbert Hopf (Journalist)
Deputy Treasurer
Editor and chief reporter for over 35 years at the largest German-language weekly technology magazine. A native of Munich, who as a child in the 1960s still saw the remnants of war in the city. Enthusiast of photography, history, and politics. As a fan of skiing, mountaineering, and travel, he appreciates every step of Europe’s border openings and enlargements — having also experienced the cumbersome entry requirements of the U.S., Arab, and Asian countries, especially for journalists.
Dr. Leena Kasbekar (Assoz. FH-Prof.)
Secretary
Expert in international relations and intercultural communication. Extensive teaching experience, expertise, and practical work in community management and network building within the international higher education context. Holds diplomas and a bachelor’s degree from institutions in India and a PhD from Scotland. Lecturer since 2005 and, as of June 2025, Associate Professor at the Management Center Innsbruck (Department of International Relations). Previously involved in building and managing a family business in Tyrol.
Timna Maria Moser (Non-Profit, Social- and Healthmanagement, B.A.)
Deputy Secretary
Completed studies in Non-Profit, Social, and Health Management at the Management Center Innsbruck. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Media, Society & Communication at the University of Innsbruck. Works as a student assistant at the Faculty of Law, University of Innsbruck, focusing on public relations. Has been an active volunteer for several years with the together.eu campaign of the European Parliament and is the founder and coordinator of the together.eu Innsbruck group. Since June 2024, project manager of the Erasmus+ project “YETi – Youth Empowerment Tirol.” Experienced in project management for Erasmus+ Key Action 1 and 2 projects.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnamoser/
Jana Bank (Intercultural Management, B.A.)
Project Assistant
Extensive theoretical and practical background in Culture and Management: holds a BA in Intercultural Management from the University of Passau and has experience in project and event management (including with the Goethe-Institut and international travel event management) in Munich. Grew up in Innsbruck, with extended stays in Argentina, Costa Rica, Bolivia, and India/Sri Lanka. Passionate about photography and yoga.
Max Hofer (Political Science and Sociology, B.A.)
Project Assistant
Holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Innsbruck. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Media Studies and working as a freelance journalist. Born and raised in Merano (South Tyrol), he has lived in Innsbruck for many years and is a convinced European.
Valentin Grave (Media and Art, B.A.)
Project Assistant
Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Media Studies at the University of Innsbruck. Previously completed a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a focus on photography and media art in Essen. Grew up in Germany’s Ruhr area and has lived in Innsbruck for several years. Works as a freelance artist and media professional. Long passionate about journalism and politics, and excited to contribute to the work of the European Academy Inntal.
Elena Bank (Computer Science, B.Sc.)
IT
Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from LMU Munich; currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science at TU Berlin. Has several years of practical experience in IT and event management. Participant in the Youth Parliament to the Alpine Convention (YPAC) in 2017 and 2018. Grew up in Innsbruck.
… There’s a place here for you!
If you don’t just want to support us but would like to get involved actively — what’s your European heart topic? What role could you imagine taking on?
We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact
Would you like to get involved, share your ideas, or suggest topics?
You can reach us at:
office@europaeische-akademie-inntal.org