Call for 15 diplomats to participate in the EU Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region

The Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) has set up a European Union Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia1, Kosovo*, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine and Türkiye).

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the above-mentioned beneficiaries are the primary target group of this programme. For each of the successive cohorts of the action between 1 and 3 diplomats/officials of the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and/or other State Ministries and State Institutions will be selected to participate in the programme.

The overall objective of the European Union Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region is to foster regional cooperation among junior officials of the enlargement region and with their EU peers by creating a unified ‘esprit de corps’ and strengthening their knowledge in EU affairs. The Programme is especially tailored towards junior diplomats/officials working in the field of foreign policy (EU Common Foreign and Security Policy – CFSP) and EU accession.

This call aims to select up to 15 participants from the enlargement region to participate to the second edition of the programme due to start on 31 August 2025 and to end on 31 January 2026. The European Union Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region is a full-time residential programme of five months that will be delivered by the College of Europe, Bruges Campus (Belgium), a world leading post-graduate institute specialised on EU affairs. As such, the programme requires a physical presence of five months in Bruges. In view of the full-time formula, Ministries of Foreign Affairs and/or other State Ministries and State Institutions will need to support the candidature of their staff and ensure that, if selected, candidates will be authorised to leave their workplace for a period of five months. The costs for participation in the programme are covered by the College of Europe through funding from DG ENEST.

The programme builds upon the successful experience of the European Union Diplomatic Academy (EUDA), implemented by the College of Europe for junior diplomats of the EU Member States and officials of the EU Institutions. This flagship programme launched by the European External Action Service (EEAS) in 2022 fosters a shared European diplomatic culture and strengthens the expertise on EU external action. The European Union Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region will include joint modules with the EUDA, establishing a framework of exchange between European diplomats from the enlargement region and current EU Member States.

Eligibility criteria

The European Union Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region is open to diplomats/officials of EU candidate countries and potential candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia4 , Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine and Türkiye) that meet the following criteria:
a. Enjoy full rights as a citizen of the above-mentioned 10 beneficiaries.
b. Hold the status of either
i. junior diplomat of one of the beneficiaries with max. 7 years of experience in the national diplomatic service, or
ii. official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or another State Ministry or State Institution specialised in EU affairs and/or EU accession with max. 7 years of experience

Priority will be given to the application of officials with the status of diplomats.

c. Be fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference)
d. Have a level of education that corresponds to completed university studies
e. Have professional experience in or knowledge of the EU affairs and EU accession
f. Provide an official letter from their employer (MFA or other State Ministries or State Institutions) authorising to participate in the 5-month European Union Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region from 31 August 2025 to 31 January 2026.
g. Knowledge of French is considered an asset.

In line with the EU goal to promote Gender Balance and foster women’s participation, this call encourages female diplomats and officials to apply.

How to apply

Candidates who meet the criteria listed above will need to send the following documents by 15 June 2025 at 18:00 (CET):
– CV redacted in English of max. 2 pages highlighting relevant professional experience in the field of EU affairs and/or EU accession
– Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
– Written statement signed by their Head of Department stating that the candidature is endorsed
– Supporting documents (university diploma and language certificate) mention

Applications must be submitted to the following email address: info.eudp@coleurope.eu. Please mention in the subject title in the following format “Application_CallEUDP_Name_Country”.

The applications need to be submitted in English or be accompanied by an English translation – documents or information provided in any other language will not be considered. Failure to provide supporting document(s) by the date mentioned above may result in 1) a candidate being considered ineligible or 2) in their specific qualifications or experience not being considered.

Selection process

A committee composed of three members from the College of Europe, implementing the programme on behalf of DG ENEST, will review the candidatures and draft a preliminary list of selected candidates. The committee will pay particular attention to maximising chances in composing cohorts that are gender balanced.

Should candidatures present any unclear elements, the selection committee reserves the right to ask clarifications to the competent Ministry in the beneficiary. The European Commission – DG ENEST will approve the final list of participants.

Once the final list of candidates is approved, the selection committee will contact successful candidates, indicating the date for an online info session where all information, including administrative, logistical information as well as visa requirements will be provided. Candidates will need to confirm via email the participation and acknowledge the conditions of participation.

Timetable and deadlines

Deadline for applications: 15/06/2025 18h00 (CET)
Confirmation of selection to the successful candidates: 30/06/2025
Organisation of an info session on the programme, including administrative and logistics information for candidates to prepare their departure to Belgium: By 07/07/2025
Arrival of the participants on campus: 31/08/2025
Kick-off of the European Union Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region: 01/09/2025

Questions and clarifications
Candidates can send any request for clarifications on the application and selection process to the functional e-mail box: info.eudp@coleurope.eu.

Data protection
By submitting the application, candidates consent to have their personal data being processed for the purpose of the selection process. Candidates acknowledge that their data, including data provided by referees and employers/Ministries can be contacted for verification purposes, will be processed by the College of Europe.

All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and in line with the current data process regulations.

For more information on how the College of Europe handles information of applicants and how candidates can exercise their rights, please see our privacy notice here: https://www.coleurope.eu/privacy.