Join your peers for two weeks of learning, sharing and networking to contribute to the enlargement process!
The College of Europe is pleased to organise, in the framework of a project funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a two-week training programme for young civil servants representing ministries whose field of work touches on foreign and EU affairs and/or regional cooperation within the Western Balkans. The training programme will take place in Tirana, Albania, from Monday 3 June to Friday 14 June, and will include a study trip to Belgium and the Netherlands. Full board and lodging will be provided to participants during the training, including transport and accommodation during the visit to Brussels and The Hague. Further information below.
What will the training programme be about?
Ten days to enhance and deepen your knowledge of EU affairs and the enlargement process, to strengthen your skills and explore avenues to promote cooperation and exchange of ideas.
The programme will combine different formats to maximise the learning potential:
- Live interactive lectures;
- Dedicated workshops focussing on soft skills;
- A simulation game on a negotiation process;
- Study visit to EU institutions in Brussels;
- Study visit to The Hague;
- Social activities and opportunities to expand your professional network.
A maximum of four participants per country will be selected through this call for applications to join the training programme in Tirana.
The language of the course is English (Minimum requirement: level B2).
What topics will the programme cover?
The latest EU-Western Balkans summit and the adoption of the Growth Plan by the European Commission represented a boost of the enlargement process, with a renewed commitment of the EU to the Western Balkans’ EU membership perspective.
The acceleration of the accession process calls for a stronger knowledge of the EU system and for sharper soft skills, especially in the field of negotiation.
Therefore, the course will focus on:
- History of European integration;
- Decision-making process in the EU;
- Strategies for EU integration;
- EU policy-making;
- Legislation approximation;
- Negotiations skills;
- Communication skills.
For more details, you can download the draft programme here!
Why should I participate?
Learn, connect and contribute to the conversation on the EU integration process.
Throughout the training programme, you will have the opportunity to be supported by high-level experts to deepen your knowledge of the EU and foster soft skills such as negotiation and communication. The programme represents a unique opportunity to network and exchange ideas with peers across the Region and the EU.
Do I qualify?
- You are an agent of change with a sense of leadership and a desire to contribute to the EU Integration process;
- You are a citizen of one of the six Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia;
- You have at least 3 years of experience in ministries whose field of work touches on foreign and EU affairs and/or regional cooperation within the Western Balkans;
- You have at least 1 year of professional experience in the field of EU affairs and integration process;
- You have professional experience in policy making and/or policy formulation;
- You have a good command of English (at least level B2)
(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
As a clarification of the criteria above, please note:
- To be eligible, applicants will have to be currently employed as civil servants;
- Experience in ministries also extends to experience in State agencies;
- As the present training programme is aimed at young public officials, preference will be given to entry- and mid-levels civil servants.
Selected participants commit to attend the programme in its entirety.
How can I apply?
Click here to submit your application. Please note: applications will open on 29 January 2024.
The application deadline is 1 March 2024 23:59:59 (CET: Central European Time).
Important information:
- Only fully completed applications will be considered (please make sure to submit all the requested information and documents);
- Applications must be submitted in English or be accompanied by an English translation – documents or information provided in any other language will not be considered;
- Applications received after the deadline will not be considered;
- Due to the high number of applications, only selected candidates and those on the reserve list will be notified;
- Selected participants will be sponsored by the project to attend the training programme free of charge. Full board and lodging will be provided to participants during the training, including transport and accommodation during the visit to Brussels and The Hague. Participants will need to cover the cost of travel to and from Tirana themselves and are kindly requested to make their own travel arrangements to and from the training location.
Thank you very much for your interest. We wish you all the best with your application!
Should you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact us: training.tirana@coleurope.eu
More information: https://www.coleurope.eu/bruges/executive-education-training-projects/tailor-made-training/training-programme-young-civil-servants-western-balkans