The ECM is held under the auspices of the European Mathematical Society (EMS), and was one of its earliest initiatives.
Its objectives are "to present various new aspects of pure and applied mathematics to a wide audience, to be a forum for discussion of the relationship between mathematics and society in Europe, and to enhance cooperation among mathematicians from all European countries.
"[3] The Congresses generally last a week and consist of plenary lectures, parallel (invited) lectures and several mini-symposia devoted to a particular subject, where participants can contribute with posters and short talks.
Many editions featured also special lectures, e.g. by prize winners, and public sessions aimed at a general audience.
Other mathematics conferences and workshops organised in the same period become often satellite events of the ECM.