Eurocarb symposia are organized under the auspice of the European Carbohydrate Organization (ECO). The first Eurocarb symposium was organized in Austria in 1981. As a biannual meeting, it has evolved from a carbohydrate chemistry forum to a glycoscience meeting which also includes glycobiology and biological chemistry. Nowadays, Eurocarb is positioned as a leading symposium at the forefront of Glycosciences at the international level.
In 2008, the ECO established The Emil Fischer Carbohydrate Award in in order to honor active carbohydrate scientists distinguished with contributions of excellence.