Behind every interpreted conference, courtroom, and classroom is a profession that has to train, certify, and support its members. In 2026, the European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (efsli) turned its annual conference to exactly that question in Zagreb, Croatia.
The Theme: From Experience to Credentials
The conference title was “From Experience to Credentials.” According to the conference website, the theme focused on bridging lived experience and academic credentialing in sign language interpreter education, with attention to professionalization, certification, and Deaf inclusion.
Who It Was For
The conference was aimed at a broad audience: academics, interpreter educators, Deaf community leaders, policymakers, professional associations, and practitioners. Bringing those groups together matters, because decisions about interpreter standards affect Deaf people directly.
The Details
The event was set for September 2026 in Zagreb, Croatia, and it was organized by efsli. The conference website listed early bird tickets and a call for papers, and noted that the event is funded by the European Union. The conference’s own pages are the place to look for the final program and materials.
Why Interpreter Credentials Matter
Many interpreters around the world entered the profession through experience, such as growing up with Deaf family members or working in the community, rather than through formal programs. As countries introduce certification systems, there is a real conversation about how to recognize that experience while raising standards. Including Deaf people in those decisions, as a core part of the process, is a central concern of the Deaf community.
A Link to International Sign
International events depend on International Sign interpreters, and organizations such as WASLI and efsli help shape how that work is trained and recognized. Conferences like this one are where those standards are debated.
The Takeaway
The efsli Zagreb conference is a reminder that quality interpreting does not happen by accident. It comes from training, credentials, and a partnership with the Deaf community.
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