Meet the Jury of the European Digital Connectivity Awards 2026

The projects competing for the European Digital Connectivity Awards 2026 will be evaluated by a jury composed of five European experts in digital connectivity, each bringing a wealth of experience and insight to the selection process.

The panel of jury experts will carefully review all applications for the European Digital Connectivity Awards 2026 and select the nominees and the winners in each of the three award categories. This year's jury comprises Mr Andrew van der Haar, Ms Erzsébet Fitori, Mr George Pantos, Mr Sami Belhadj and Ms Martina Dragičević.

Andrew van der Haar is the founder and Managing Director of the Fiber Carrier Association (FCA), the Dutch industry association for fibre and digital connectivity. Since founding FCA in 2016, he has worked at the intersection of industry, government and users to strengthen the Netherlands' digital infrastructure and connectivity ecosystem. He is also President of the European Local Fibre Alliance (ELFA), which brings together 16 national trade associations across Europe, indirectly representing more than 1,200 alternative fibre and wireless network operators. In addition, Andrew is Senior Advisor to the Dutch Data Center Association (DDA), where he focuses on sustainability, energy, education and workforce development. Andrew is a founding member of the Dutch Subsea Cable Coalition and serves on the council of the Dutch National Coalition for Sustainable Digitalisation. His background combines industry representation and public policy with hands-on experience as a former manager and business owner in the fibre and data centre sectors. He is actively involved in national and European initiatives covering fibre networks, data centres, subsea connectivity, sustainability, digital resilience and skills development.

Erzsébet Fitori is the Executive Director of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) with a mission to boost 5G deployment and foster Europe's technology sovereignty in 6G. Previously, she was responsible for Vodafone Group's engagement with the EU institutions and stakeholders, heading Vodafone's Brussels Office, and as Board Director in industry organisations. Before joining Vodafone in 2020, Erzsébet was Director General of the FTTH Council Europe, the pan-European trade association representing over 160 technology innovators, network operators, and investors across the fibre value chain. She joined the FTTH Council from the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA), where she represented 100+ challenger telecoms network operators. As Director of ECTA, she oversaw its public policy, regulatory, and PR activities and led ECTA's engagement with the EU institutions, national regulators, and governments. Before that, she was Head of Regulatory Affairs at Telenor Hungary in Budapest. In her early career, Erzsébet was an Assistant Professor in the department of European law and private international law at the University of Miskolc, Hungary.

George Pantos is an Electrical & Computer Engineer, PhD, with extensive experience in the telecommunications sector, combining strong technical expertise with a deep understanding of digital infrastructure, network development, and technology policy. Throughout his career, he has been involved in the planning, implementation, and management of complex telecommunications and digital transformation projects, working with a wide range of stakeholders across the public and private sectors. His expertise spans broadband networks, connectivity initiatives, regulatory and strategic frameworks, and the delivery of large-scale technology programmes. Dr. Pantos serves as Director of Broadband Networks, at the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, and as Head of the National Broadband Competence Office (BCO) of Greece.

Sami Belhadj is Attaché Telecom at the Belgian Federal Public Service Economy, where he works on broadband policy and digital infrastructure. His work spans fixed broadband connectivity programmes and 5G and 6G research initiatives. Before joining the Federal Public Service Economy, he worked at the European Commission's DG CONNECT on European backbone connectivity and digital infrastructure, building on earlier private-sector experience in delivering telecom infrastructure projects.

Martina Dragičević, MA, MBA, is Director of Regulatory Affairs, EU Funds and Wholesale at A1 Croatia, with more than 20 years of experience in the electronic communications sector and related industries. She specialises in telecommunications regulation, EU policy, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence governance, and strategic investment initiatives. Martina leads regulatory and EU funding activities, driving projects that support digital transformation, connectivity, resilience, and technological sovereignty at both national and European levels. She is actively engaged in shaping policy discussions on the Digital Decade, NIS2, AI Act, and critical infrastructure development, while fostering collaboration between industry, government, academia, and civil society. Martina holds a law degree from the University of Zagreb, a Master's degree in EU Competition Law from King's College London, and an MBA in General Finance from the Swiss School of Business Management. She is a recognised advocate for innovation, cybersecurity, and inclusive digital development, and a frequent speaker at national and international conferences.

European Digital Connectivity Awards 2026

The nominees for the European Broadband Awards will be announced on the Digital Decade's website. The winners will be revealed and honoured during the official Award Ceremony, taking place on 2 December 2026 in Brussels.

Related topics