Understanding EU Decision-Making: Principles, Procedures, Practice

This course will provide you with a thorough understanding of the legal principles and procedures underpinning decision-making in the EU. It offers insights into the formal and informal interactions of institutions and stakeholders, enabling participants to effectively contribute to decision-making processes.

The course includes three modules:

Introduction (online, 8 & 10 April)

• The institutional framework of the EU: who is doing what in the EU?
• Foundations of EU decision-making: what are the main legal and political principles informing EU decision-making?
• Policy making: which instruments do the institutions have at their disposal to pursue common objectives?
• Legislation in the EU: introduction of legislative procedures and overview of the main characteristics of the Ordinary Legislative Procedure

Main module (face-to-face, 15-17 April)

• Detailed examination of EU decision making based on the model of the legislative policy cycle, e.g. programming of general policy objectives for agenda setting and policy initiation
• The role of the Commission in initiating legislation (internal procedures, consultation with stakeholders etc.) and how national officials and other stakeholders contribute to policy formulation
• The adoption of legislative acts (Treaty provisions, legislative procedures, internal procedures of the co-legislators, interinstitutional negotiations etc.)
• Implementation of policies at EU level; the difference between implementing acts and delegated acts
• International dimension of EU decision making

Comitology module (online, 22 April)

• Implementation at EU-level: who is doing what?
• Legal, procedural and organisational foundations of comitology
• Practicalities and politics of comitology decision-making

This course is based on ‘blended learning’ methodology with both online and in-person interaction prior, during and after the course. Throughout the course, there is plenty of time for questions and opportunity for discussions.

The course methodology includes

• Group exercises
• Multiple examples and real-life cases
• Role plays and simulation exercise
• Input from experienced EU practitioners
• Interactive online elements to facilitate participants’ independent learning including feedback
• Quizzes, surveys and discussion questions

For this course, you can choose one of the following options:

• Book the full course for a comprehensive training. We advise you to select this option to get the maximum benefits. To enrol in the full course click Book full course The full course includes three modules:

1. 1. Introduction(online, 8 & 10 April)
   2. Main module (face-to-face, 15-17 April)
   3. Comitology module (online, 22 April)

• Book any combination of the modules depending on your individual needs. To enrol click Book module(s) and select one module or a combination of two modules.

‘I’m participating in that meeting in Brussels next week. Is it an expert group or a comitology committee?’

‘I need to brief my boss about what to expect. Will the Commission ask her to vote?’

‘How can I know where our issue is in the EU decision process, and what comes next?’

Simple questions, the answers to which may be complex, and yet can make your job easier. This course will get you up to speed on the essential elements of how the EU system works: the different powers that the EU has, who does what, and how you can have a role in shaping EU decisions. It is concise but thorough and focuses in detail on EU law-making.

After taking this course you will:

• Understand the essential principles and procedures that you need to know in order to be credible when operating in an EU context
• Be able to decode messages and reports from Brussels
• Be more effective in your own interactions with other officials
• Be better equipped to explain how things work to your colleagues and associates
• Have a feel for how things work in practice, and be able to prepare appropriately
• Have a solid basis for continuous learning on the job afterwards.

Through the online learning platform Moodle, we provide course material and facilitate independent learning for participants.

You will also have access to the course materials for a duration of six months after the course.

• Officials who have taken on a new role in Brussels
• Officials who have to take part in meetings in the Commission or Council
• Anyone who needs to know how EU decision-making works in practice

Project number: 2612201

Online Introductory & Comitology modules
The Introductory (8 & 10 April)  and Comitology (22 April) modules will take place online via Zoom.

Course venue main course
European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
O.L. Vrouweplein 22
6211 HE, Maastricht
The Netherlands

Project Management Officer
Ms Belinda Vetter
Tel: +31 43 3296382
b.vetter@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation and refreshments. Lunches, a reception or dinner are included if mentioned in the programme. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation we offer all our participants a loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.

Hotels
EIPA has a special price arrangement with a few hotels. The hotels are within walking distance of EIPA. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out.

• Derlon If you wish to take advantage of this special price, please click on the hotel name to book directly using the link
  info@derlon.com
  +31 (0)43 321 67 70
• Townhouse If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA’ in the promotion code field
  info@townhousehotels.nl
  +31 (0)43 323 30 90
• Mabi If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA’ in the promotion code field
  info@hotelmabi.nl
  +31 (0)43 351 44 44
• Kaboom Hotel If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA’ in the promotion code field
  info@kaboomhotel.nl
  +31 (0)43 325 33 40
• Leonardo Boutique Hotel
  reservations.maastrichtcitycenter@leonardo-hotels.nl
• The Social Hub If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA2026’ in the promotion code field

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.

EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).

A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.