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EU decision-making
Understanding EU Decision-Making: Principles, Procedures, Practice (incl. online Introductory Course)
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 focusses in detail on EU law-making. It includes an online introductory course that introduces the foundations of decision-making in the EU.
‘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.
What you will learn
- The legal bases for what the EU can and cannot do, and the different powers that Member States have given to the EU
- The main ways in which decisions are taken, i.e. the toolbox of EU policy-making
- The hierarchy of EU law and the differences between legislative acts, implementing acts (the world of ‘comitology’!) and delegated acts using topical case studies
- The ordinary legislative procedure and how ‘trilogues’ work
- The decision-making procedures within the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament, and the ways in which national officials and other stakeholders fit into the policy-making process
Course methodoloy
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 was updated to include:
- Additional interactive online elements to facilitate participants’ independent learning
- Extended time in sessions to allow for targeted feedback on independent learning activities
- New examples and updated case studies to embed practical knowledge into current developments of EU decision-making
We believe the best way to learn is by applying practical knowledge. That is why this course includes:
- Extensive insights with multiple examples and real-life cases
- Quizzes
- Group exercises
- Role plays and simulation exercises
- Input from experienced EU practitioners as the basis for discussion among participants about the practical demands of participation in the policy process
To get maximum benefits out of this course, irrespective of your level of knowledge on EU decision-making, we advise you to book the full training programme, consisting of two modules: Introductory Course (online) and Main course (in-person).
For this course we offer the following options:
- Option 1
Book the full programme including the online Introductory Course (6 and 8 November) plus the in-person Main Course (13-15 November) if you need a comprehensive course on EU decision-making.
- Option 2:
Book only the in-person Main Course if you are familiar with the foundations of EU decision-making, i.e. institutional framework, competences, and principles and instruments of policy-making
- Option 3:
Book only the online Introductory Course if you want to have a brief introduction or refresh your knowledge about the foundations of EU decision-making.
- 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: 2412202
Introductory Course
The Introductory Course on 6 and 8 November 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 of the full course includes documentation and refreshments, lunches, a reception and dinner, and a walking tour of Maastricht. 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.
Hotel reservations
EIPA has special price arrangements with a number of hotels. The hotels are within walking distance from EIPA. If you wish to take advantage of this option, please click on the hotel name to book directly using the link. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out.
- Eden Design Hotel
designhotel@edenhotels.nl
+31 (0)43 328 25 25 - Townhouse
info@townhousehotels.nl
+31 (0)43 323 30 90 - Mabi
info@hotelmabi.nl
+31 (0)43 351 44 44 - Derlon
info@derlon.com
+31 (0)43 321 67 70
- Eden Design Hotel
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.
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Programme
| 09.00 | Welcome and self-presentation of the participants Christoph Klika |
| 09.15 | Introduction and overview of EU decision-making The day begins with a succinct summary of the foundations. Christoph Klika |
| Who does what in the EU policy cycle? Group exercise The exercise builds on the model of the policy cycle, indicating the main roles and functions in legislative decision-making. Participants divide into breakout groups to match schematic outlines with institutional actors and instruments. The exercise is followed by a debriefing. | |
| 10.15 | Debriefing (I): policy priorities and programming The first part of the debriefing explains how policies enter the agenda and are programmed with a view do decision making. Christoph Klika |
| 11.00 | Coffee break |
| 11.30 | Debriefing (II): the Commission and legislative proposals The second part focusses on the internal procedures of the Commission. We explain how legislative proposals are elaborated and outline the role of expert groups, public consultations and impact assessments. Christoph Klika |
| 13.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00 | Debriefing (III): European Parliament and Council The third part focusses on the internal procedures of the European Parliament and the Council when examining the Commission proposal. Christoph Klika |
| 15.30 | Coffee break |
| 16.00 | Negotiation: presentation of simulation exercise In preparation for the simulation exercise, the Firearms Directive will be presented. The Directive serves as the case for simulating Member States’ negotiations in the Council. Individual roles will be assigned and participants are invited to study their mandates for the simulation. Christoph Klika |
| 17.00 | End of the day |
| 18.00 | Reception and dinner |
| 09.00 | Simulation exercise: the Firearms Directive In the exercise, participants simulate a meeting in the Council framework with the goal of reaching a compromise text as a basis for negotiation with the European Parliament. Radovan Schida, Political Administrator, General Secretariat of the Council Christoph Klika |
| 11.30 | Group photo and coffee break |
| 12.00 | Debriefing Following a debriefing of the exercise, the decision-making process of adopting the Firearms Directive will be presented. |
| 13.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00 | Debriefing (IV): Adoption The fourth part focusses on the institutional interactions of the co-legislators during the legislative procedures with a focus on the Ordinary Legislative Procedure. Christoph Klika |
| 15.30 | Coffee break |
| 16.00 | Debriefing (V): EU-level implementation The fifth part of the debriefing focusses on the adoption of delegated and implementing acts. Christoph Klika |
| 17.00 | End of second day |
| 17.15 | Guided walking tour of Maastricht |
| 18.45 | End of the walking tour |
| 09.00 | The international dimension of EU decision-making In this session, we extend our view to include the international dimension of decision-making by presenting the most important procedures in selected areas, e.g. trade, and by reflecting on EU external relations in salient policy areas, e.g. climate, agriculture. Wolfgang Koeth, Senior Expert, EIPA Maastricht (NL) |
| 10.30 | Coffee break |
| 11.00 | Practical perspectives: preparing for EU decision-making The final session provides an inside view of EU procedures. You will then discuss how national officials and other stakeholders can prepare to contribute effectively to EU policy-making. Maria Boka, Senior Public Policy Manager, ESET |
| 12.30 | Conclusion and evaluation |
| 13.00 | End of the course |