The EBU is open to all schools and traditions of Buddhism in Europe wishing to unite on the basis of Buddhist teachings and work together in spiritual friendship and respect for diversity.

According to the 'EBU Statement of Mission and Vision'[1] the aims are to facilitate international exchange and promote spiritual friendship amongst European Buddhists, to support social action and ideas motivated by Buddhist values, and to amplify the voice of Buddhism in Europe and worldwide.

Towards the end of the Cold War meetings were held on both sides of the Iron Curtain.

[6] In June 2014, Michel Aguilar (representative of the EBU to the Council of Europe) got elected chair of the Human Rights Committee[7] for a three-year term of office.

The EBU is a founding member of the European Network of Religion and Belief,[8] a network of European confessional and non-confessional organisations who want to combat discrimination and promote mutual understanding in the field of religion and belief, working within the framework of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.