What is the Intensive Seminar?

The Intensive Seminar on the European Union offers three different training programmes providing professionals with in-depth knowledge and practical skills on EU decision-making and policies. Participants can choose between three different programmes, depending on their prior level and experience on EU affairs.

• For participants who seek to gain a thorough understanding or to refresh their knowledge on the EU, we propose a comprehensive programme covering the institutional framework and the EU's main internal and external policies: see the Classic two-week programme;
• Participants that already possess a good knowledge of the EU institutional framework are invited to join the Advanced two-week programme allowing them to benefit from a full analysis of both the internal and external policies of the EU;

• Participants who are well familiarised with both the institutional framework and the EU's policies are invited to join the Compact one-week programme on the European Commission priorities, which offers a practical review of the main legislative priorities of the von der Leyen Commission, how the Commission has progressed and what are the projections for the next year.

The three programmes focus on the latest developments of the EU and are practice-oriented; the seminar aims to improve participants’ professional skills and performance when working on EU affairs.

The seminar will be organised for the 27th year in a row. The 2020 edition will exceptionally take place fully online in line with the recommendations from national authorities following the COVID-19 pandemic. The course is the flagship programme among the College of Europe Executive Training courses.

Learning methodology

The course will take place on Cisco Webex Training, which allows for a highly interactive online learning. Participants will be able to:

• See the trainers and their peers,
• Follow the lectures and presentations,
• Have access to interactive whiteboards,
• Take part in different activities in groups or together.

Moreover, they will be able to interact with trainers and other participants through a feedback panel, and Q&A and chat tools. All in all, it will create a unique virtual space for learning, networking and interaction.

Why participate?

Each year, a group of 40 to 80 highly motivated professionals from all over the world representing the public and private sectors, civil society and academia participate in the Intensive Seminar to improve their EU knowledge and skills.

The programme offers an intensive and practice-oriented learning experience in a truly international environment giving you the possibility to:

• Improve, extend and update your current knowledge and understanding of the EU through the numerous analytical and practice-oriented sessions and choose the programme that best corresponds to your needs;
• Strengthen your professional skills through exercises in managing the information flow in EU affairs, communication, presentation, negotiation techniques and lobbying practice;
• Experience the Brussels world during and after the sessions with EU practitioners and during an e-visit to the European Commission while participating in the Classic & Advanced programmes;
• Enjoy a unique opportunity to debate the EU and extend your personal and professional network with participants from different countries.

What former participants say:

Each year, the Intensive Seminar welcomes participants from all over the world and from diverse professional ;Read about their experiences at the College here and below.

"The Intensive Seminar on the EU is a very well prepared and carried out programme. Even before the official start of the training we already received lots of useful information and preliminary readings. The whole experience is just overwhelming. Starting with the pleasant housing to the remarkable professors, the interesting topics of the lectures and the high class participants. Not to forget the exceptional work of the seminar assistants who try so hard to make everybody feel as pleasant as possible! Participation is highly recommended!."

Steffen Weiss
Political Affairs Manager, Munich International Airport
Participant of the 2018 Classic/Compact programme

"Thanks to the "Intensive Seminar" I have been able to widen my knowledge of the EU deeply, on how it works, why it does what it does, and its relation with all the other "actors" in the EU: from countries, to lobbies, including the EU ; Luis Ander Cabrera Ansoleaga
Erasmus + Entrepeneurs participant
Participant of the 2018 Classic three-week programme

"EU Intensive seminar was an excellent experience for both professsional and personnel development. This course gave me a good combination of EU knowledge, practical concept and tools, fruitfull discussions and debates and an unique opportunity to share experiences with lecturers and participants. I would highly recommend to anyone!."

Ana Vaz Raposo
EU Funding Consultant
Participant of the 2018 Classic three-week programme