Why is the European External Action Service implementing a project towards the establishment of a European Diplomatic Academy?

The European Parliament decided to task the European External Action Service (EEAS), which inspired the project, to carry out pilot activities towards the establishment of a European Diplomatic Academy.

Together with effective security and defence policies, developing a truly European Diplomatic Service is one of the conditions for the EU to be a real actor on the international stage. A European Diplomatic Academy will help train and equip European diplomats with the knowledge and skills necessary to shape common policies, to implement common decisions, and to use the EU institutions to promote and defend the EU’s values and interests in the world.

Why a European Diplomatic Academy when national diplomats already receive training in their Ministries? What is the added value?

The programme of the European Diplomatic Academy will complement the curriculum of the diplomatic academies in EU Member States. The concept of the Academy is not to replace or duplicate what is done at the national level. It will focus on the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct European diplomacy, to represent and promote the European Agenda and the European dimension of foreign policy, as well as to forge a genuinely European diplomatic culture.

An important added value of the Academy will be the establishment of a network of European diplomats with a common and deep understanding of the EU’s role in the world and the promotion of an esprit de corps among European diplomats.

How is the project funded?

The project is funded under the EEAS 2022 budget with an envelope of €990.000. The EEAS, through the funding provided by the European Parliament, will cover the tuition fee for the entire programme as well as a scholarship for each participant to cover transport, boarding and lodging expenses, including study visits to Brussels. 

Who will carry out the pilot programme of the European Diplomatic Academy?

The pilot programme of the European Diplomatic Academy was awarded to a consortium formed by the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, and the College of Europe in Natolin, Poland. The project director is former High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini. The programme will run over two academic semesters (September – December 2022 / January – May 2023) and will be held in a residential format.

How was the tender procedure carried out?

Both contracts were awarded following normal EU procurement procedures. Six offers were received for the pilot academic programme and two for the feasibility study, all from qualified European education and research institutions. The offers were evaluated and the contracts awarded on the basis of the best value-for-money criteria.

Who will attend the programme this year?

The programme is open to junior diplomats from EU Member States, officials from EU institutions (EEAS, European Commission, General Secretariat of the Council of the EU, European Parliament). This year, two diplomats from Ukraine will participate in the programme as well. The pilot programme will also be open to diplomats from the Western Balkans countries, Georgia, Moldova and Turkey (one candidate per country). In total, around 42 young European diplomats will take part this first year.

How were the participants selected?

Participants were selected by the sending State/institutions, among officials in their junior grade.

When will the pilot programme start?

The academic programme will start on 29 August 2022 in Natolin (Poland), with a two-week segment of team building exercises and visits to the Polish-Ukrainian and Polish-Belarussian border. The participants will then move to Bruges for the core course. It will be hosted at the campus of the College of Europe in Bruges, ideally located in the heart of Europe and close to Brussels.

What does the course cover?

The syllabus covers the core issues of EU foreign and security policies. The teaching methodology emphasises the practical application of concepts and skills, through frequent simulation and role exercises. About 80% of the lecturers are practitioners (including senior EEAS officials) and the remainder are scholars. Classroom teaching in Bruges will be complemented by study visits to the European institutions in Brussels, as well as to Organisations of relevance to European external action and foreign and security policy, such as NATO.

What is the objective of the feasibility study?

The feasibility study, which will be ready in November, is being prepared by a consortium formed by the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), European University Institute (EUI) and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). Its main purpose will be to outline the various options as well as the budgetary framework for the establishment of the future European Diplomatic Academy. The study will map the diplomatic training offer that exists at national level and will provide an analysis of possible models for the establishment of a fully-fledged European Diplomatic academy, including legal and budgetary aspects.

What are the next steps?

The results of the feasibility study, as well as the lessons learnt in the implementation of the pilot academic programme, will help the EEAS define the most effective model for setting up a fully-fledged European Diplomatic Academy, including its legal and governance structure and budgetary needs. In this process, the EEAS will work closely with the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council and the EU Member States.

What will happen to diplomats who participate in the pilot programme and how will the programme affect their career prospects?

Graduating from the European Diplomatic Academy pilot programme does not guarantee a position in the EEAS which does not offer a job upon completion of the training. However, diplomats trained under the programme will gain a unique set of skills and the necessary knowledge to work at the European level. It significantly increases their chances of success when applying for vacancies at the EEAS, at the EU Delegations or at the EU institutions. It will also help them to be immediately operational when assigned at the Permanent Representations of Member States to the EU or at any other national position dealing with European affairs.