European Union Visitors Programme: Applications close 22 May!

19.02.2020

The European Union Visitors Program (EUVP) enables young current or emerging leaders in government, politics, the media and other key fields to visit and become acquainted in-depth with the Institutions of the EU as guests of the European Parliament and the European Commission. By so doing they receive detailed information and knowledge of the structure and workings of the EU institutions.

What is the EUVP?

The EUVP is jointly sponsored and administered by the European Parliament and the European Commission and has been in operation since 1974. Australia has participated in the programme since 1983 sending over 140 visitors to Europe during that time.

The length of the EUVP visit is normally 5 working days in Brussels, though visitors with a political profile are exceptionally invited to attend a 3-day plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, in which case the tour will last a maximum of 8 working days. The program consists of meetings with officials at the EU institutions in Brussels and where applicable, in Strasbourg and/or Luxembourg and will be composed of individual and group meetings and activities in the EU Institutions. The group meetings and activities will be organised according to geographic or thematic proximity of the visitors. All programs are coordinated and arranged by the EUVP Secretariat (in Brussels) and not by the individual participants or by the EU Delegation in Australia. Travel, accommodation, per diem and insurance costs are covered by the EUVP.  

Who can participate?

Those eligible to participate are government/parliamentary officials (local, state and federal), journalists, trade unionists, civil society actors and educators/think tanks with career-related interests in the European Union.  The EUVP is not open to students. Participants are required to have completed their university education or equivalent training and to have been employed for several years in their chosen career/field.  

How are participants selected?

Participants are proposed by the EEAS delegations but selected by the EUVP Management Committee in Brussels, composed of European Parliament and European Commission officials.

When would the programme take place?

If your application is successful, you will be informed during the second half of 2020. Travel will then take place in 2021.

What is the application process?

The Delegation of the European Union to Australia is responsible for the initial screening of applications from Australian citizens living and working in the region. Applications should be made in the form of a letter addressed to:  

EUVP Applications / For the attention of: Ms Tracy Dennis

Delegation of the European Union to Australia

18 Arkana Street, Yarralumla ACT 2600 Australia

 

Or

emailed to the EUVP Liaison Officer  tracy.dennis@eeas.europa.eu with the subject marking: EUVP Applications

The application letter should be brief and contain:

  1. A description of your current position and area of expertise.
  2. A brief outline detailing why you should be considered and specifically how it relates to your career objectives

In addition, you must complete the EUVP application form, provide a Statement of Purpose (see example) and include your current CV.

All applications must be received by Friday 22 May 2020 17.00 Australian Eastern Standard Time.  Only the winning candidates will be informed of the outcome of the selection procedure.