European Union Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region kicks-off

On 4 February, the introductory meeting of the 1^st Cohort of the EU Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region (EUDP) kicked-off in Brussels, in presence of Valentina Superti, Director responsible for the Western Balkans in the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) together with Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe.

At the first meeting, diplomats and officials from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Türkiye, Moldova and Ukraine had the opportunity to engage with the European Commission  in person and gain insights into the enlargement process and EU accession priorities for the coming years. 

The EU Diplomatic Programme offers, over the upcoming 5 months, a unique opportunity to the 14 diplomats to undergo intensive academic and executive training in Bruges, complemented by visits to EU institutions in Brussels. Combining theoretical and practical approaches, the programme includes lectures, simulation exercises, study visits to EU institutions, social activities, and a study trip at the end of the semester. Several of the programme activities will be combined with the European Diplomatic Academy (EUDA) for EU member states diplomats. Diplomats of both programmes will join the alumni network, to continue promoting the EU’s fundamental values and foreign policy objectives beyond the programme’s completion.

The support of the European Commission to the Diplomatic programme for the enlargement countries underscores the EU’s commitment to strengthening and fostering mutual understanding with the enlargement region, laying the groundwork for a shared European future.

Background

The EU diplomatic programme for the enlargement region (EUDP)’s primary objective is to strengthen the knowledge in EU affairs and enlargement among junior diplomats/officials of the 10 EU candidate countries and potential candidates. The EU funds the EUDP with €2.470.000. The programme builds on and runs in parallel with the European Diplomatic Academy for diplomats from EU Member States (EUDA), established as a full-scale programme in May 2024 and also funded by the EU.