23-25 September 2026, Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel, Oslo, Norway

Aim and target audience

The Concept Symposium is a forum for decision-makers, researchers and professionals in government, academia, international organisations, and industry.

It is devoted to project governance and the development and diffusion of knowledge and expertise in front-end management of large projects. The aim is to choose the best conceptual solution, use resources efficiently, and realise the anticipated effects.

Organisers

The Norwegian Ministry of Finance hosts the symposium. It is organised by the Concept Research Programme.

Topics

The central topic of the 2026 symposium is "Navigating the Future of Project Governance: Strategies for Success". In addition to two plenary sessions, thre will be six thematic sessions. The titles of these sessions are: Choices and Challenges in Project Delivery, Governance Models for Large Public Projects, Megaprojects – Mega Success or Mega Failure?, Navigating Complexity in Public Digitalisation, Ensuring the Societal Benefits of Public Investment Projects, Security Policy and Governance.

In addition to presentations showcasing recent research from the Concept Research Programme and development of project governance in Norway, the programme will include presentations from Eddie Casey, OECD; Ed Hearne, International Monetary Fund; Donal Palcic, University of Limerick, Ireland; Jekaterina Šarmavičienė, Central Project Management Agency, Lithuania; Laura Kiddoo, Office for Value for Money, UK; Christine Unterhitzenberger, University of Leeds, UK; Graham Winch, University of Manchester, UK; Paul Chapman, University of Oxford, UK; Patrik Guné, Swedish Transport Administration; Dylan Koenders, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Netherlands; Lilly Rosander, Swedish Construction Clients; Rasmus Rytter, Implement Consulting Group, Denmark; Yves Giroux, The C.D. Howe Institute, Canada; Kai-Alexander Kaiser, World Bank; Benjamin Paxton, Institute for Government, UK; Julien Malizard, Le Institut des hautes études de défense nationale, France ; Andreas Leed, Aarhus University, Denmark; Linnea Eriksson, National Road and Transport Research Institute, Sweden; Martina Hueman, University College London, Austria/UK; Vladimir Obradovic, University of Belgrade, Serbia; Mikala Thøger, Rigsrevisionen, Denmark.

The final programme (including additional speakers) will be available on the "Programme and presentatins" side-menu to the left during spring/early summer. 

Programme Committee 2026