Clingendael trains senior Dutch officials on EU decision-making

From 17 March to 16 April 2025, the Clingendael Institute organised the third edition of the EU course 'Inzicht in Europa' for the Dutch Directorate-General for the Senior Civil Service (Algemene Bestuursdienst, ABD).

This five-day training programme was designed for senior civil servants working across various Dutch ministries and executive agencies.

Over four course days, participants explored the functioning of the European institutions, Dutch positioning in Brussels, and how to exert influence within the EU-legislative procedures. The training featured interactive methods such as Council negotiation simulations, interactive lectures, and an interview carousel with policy experts from the Clingendael Institute. This approach provided participants with valuable insights into both formal procedures and the informal dynamics of EU decision-making. 

The course concluded with a working visit to Brussels, where the group engaged with Dutch professionals working in and around the EU. Visits to the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU, the European Parliament, and the European Commission offered practical perspectives on how the EU operates in practice. The programme ended on a festive note with a networking reception hosted by the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the EU. 

We thank all participants for their active engagement and commitment throughout the course. Our sincere gratitude also go to everyone in Brussels who made this visit possible — for their time, openness, and warm hospitality.

Do you work for the Dutch central government and want to gain more insight into EU institutions and developments? Register for the course ‘Inzicht in Europa'.