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This project aims to bring CIVIS university students to Brussels via a BIP designed around the EU institutions, with the objective of working together on some of the most important issues facing the EU today.

In small groups (remotely), students will carry out research (February – May 2025) and engage in consultancy activities via the preparation of questions, opinions and well-informed advice in advance of a culminating 5-day visit to Brussels in May 2025. In May, students will visit the Université libre de Bruxelles, liaise with staff/ members of three different EU institutions and engage with the EPSO office (EU careers).

Via engagement with various EU institutions, students will act as EU youth consultants to the European Parliament (EP), the European Commission (EC), the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO).

The physical mobility part will be running from 19 to 23 May 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. The participants will visit 4 separate EU institutions, listen to speakers, role play in political groups, present opinions/ questions and advice as youth consultants, and engage in Q and A sessions with staff and members of each institution.

Agenda:

  • day 1: follow an MEP presentations (at ULB or EP) with fellow students and participating academics as audience (possibly with a member of EP staff and/ or other civil servant, as well); cultural visits in Brussels (city center, museums, etc.)
  • day 2: visit the European Parliament (EP) - meet an MEP; political group role play: exchange of views - debate and discussion; tour of the EP
  • day 3: visit the European Commission (EC) - meet EC staff and provide advice as EU youth consultants on pre-agreed topics; tour of Berlaymont building
  • day 4: visit the European Personnel Service Office (EPSO); visit the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) - engage with EESC members as youth consultants on pre-agreed topics; tour of the EESC
  • day 5: cultural visits in Brussels (city center, museums, etc.) and conclusions; BIP wrap-up (commencement) activities.

The virtual part of the course will be held between 3 February - 9 June 2025. The students will work in small groups to develop positions on policy issues, create presentations and formulate questions for EU policymakers, and provide advice for specific EU institutions.

Calendar:

  • February 2025: 1 introductory session + 2 guidance sessions
  • March 2025: 2 guidance sessions + Follow an MEP session + Meet an MEP & Group Role Play session
  • April 2025: 2 guidance sessions + Visit the European Commission session + Visit the EESC session 
  • May 2025: 2 guidance sessions + travel to Brussels logistics session
  • June 2025: Commencent ceremony (BIP graduation)

The hours split:

  • 2 hours: online introductory session to unveil project, division of student groups and Q and A session (all teachers and students);
  • 8 hours: online guidance sessions (teachers and students) - general forum for discussion about developments in current events (project-related policy issues), and to check progress of research, answer questions etc.;
  • 1 hour: online discussion about travel, logistics, physical mobility to/ from Brussels, Q&A etc.;
  • 1 hour: online discussion about student group findings, Follow an MEP presentation - 2 page report. Students include at least 3 main proposals for chosen MEP's mandate based on presentation/ research/ analysis. Reports will receive feedback on writing skills/ ideas before being sent to MEP offices;
  • 1 hour: online discussion on the student group findings, Meet an MEP(s) & Group Role Play. Teachers and students discuss student positions/ platforms on several policy issues in order to prepare for role play from the perspective of their chosen political groups in the European Parliament;
  • 1 hour: online discussion on the student group findings for 2 out of 4 policy issues & visit the European Commission. Students summarise findings in a written report (2 pages per policy issue) and send them to teachers for feedback, before sending them to the European Commission. Reports should include at least 3 proposals/ suggestions that the Commission should take into account for further regulatory enhancements (policy-specific);
  • 1 hour: online discussion on the student group findings, Meet a Member of the EESC. Students summarise findings in a written report (2 pages) and send them to teachers for feedback, before sending them to the EESC. Reports should include at least 3 proposals/ suggestions that the EESC should take into account for further opinion/ position enhancements (policy-specific);
  • 15 hours: virtual student teamwork (preparation of Follow an MEP presentations), to include formulation of 2-page report;
  • 15 hours: virtual student teamwork (preparation of Meet a Member of European Parliament (MEP) & Political Group Role Play). As assigned members of a political group (currently 8 groups in the EP, 2024-2029 mandate), students will develop platform defense/ party discourse on a handful of possible policy topics for debate with an MEP(s);
  • 25 hours: virtual student teamwork (preparation of Visit and advise the European Commission) to prepare 2 out of 4 possible policy areas (TBA). Students will prepare advice for EC as youth consultants, prepare Q&A, and research these policy areas (2) in order to engage with EC staff/ reps/ cabinet members in Brussels. This includes the formulation of 2-page reports on two chosen/ assigned policy issues;
  • 10 hours: virtual student teamwork (preparation of Meet a Member of EPSO) to research/ discuss /prepare questions about involvement (ex. EU Careers Student Ambassadors) and EU career opportunities;
  • 20 hours: virtual student teamwork (preparation of Meet a Member of the EESC) to give advice to EESC as youth consultants, prepare Q&A, and research particular policy areas (assigned in advance) in order to engage with EESC staff/ representatives/ cabinet members in Brussels. This includes the formulation of a 2-page report;
  • 2 hours - Commencement Ceremony (BIP graduation) - session to conclude project, give general feedback (teachers and perhaps EU institution feedback with staff member), give prizes/ awards and provide a forum for student evaluation of project and overall BIP experience.
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