Summer at the heart of Europe: Executive Education in Bruges and Tirana

At the beginning of summer, the students of the College of Europe left our campuses in Bruges and Tirana to embark on the next stage of their professional journeys in European affairs. But at the College, the summer is far from quiet.

Throughout May, June and July, Bruges and Tirana welcomed a new community of learners: professionals from Europe and beyond, coming to the College to deepen their expertise, strengthen their skills and advance their careers in European affairs.

Between May and July 2026, more than 120 professionals took part in 9 executive education courses across our Bruges and Tirana campuses, exploring some of the most pressing challenges facing the European Union while developing the knowledge, skills and networks needed to navigate an increasingly complex European and international environment.

This summer's programmes reflected the wide range of expertise at the heart of the College of Europe's Executive Education offer, covering critical topics, including: 

A particular highlight of Summer 2026 was the launch of EU Skills: the collaborative leader journey, a brand-new programme designed to help professionals navigate increasingly complex and interconnected working environments. The course focused on developing the leadership, communication, collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills needed to drive meaningful impact in today's European and international contexts.

Alongside EU Skills, participants in our other summer programmes combined expert-led sessions with practical workshops, case studies and lively discussions, gaining insights into European affairs while exchanging perspectives with peers from different sectors, institutions and countries.

Beyond the classroom, the programmes also fostered the unique ‘Esprit du Collège’ that characterises the College of Europe: networking, intercultural exchange and informal conversations helped create a vibrant learning community and, in true College fashion, some of the most interesting discussions continued after the sessions had ended.

The success of Summer 2026 would not have been possible without our participants, trainers, speakers, experts and partners, whose contributions created dynamic learning environments and encouraged curiosity, exchange and professional growth.

Throughout the summer, Bruges and Tirana once again served as meeting points for people working on Europe - two complementary hubs where European expertise, regional perspectives and professional experience come together.

As we look ahead, the learning journey continues. Our 2026 Autumn | Winter Executive Education programme offers a new series of opportunities for professionals looking to deepen their expertise, develop new skills and connect with peers working across Europe and beyond.

Check out our upcoming courses and join us in Bruges or Tirana! This could be the next chapter of your European learning journey.

📸 View the full photo album
Explore all photos from our summer on Flickr - click the image below to view the complete album.

Summer at the heart of Europe: Executive Education in Bruges and Tirana

 What our participants say

Beyond new knowledge and professional skills, our programmes are about people: the connections they build, the ideas they exchange and the inspiration they take back to their organisations. We are delighted to share a selection of reflections from participants who joined us this summer, both during the programmes and afterwards on LinkedIn: 

The EU Energy Policy Course exceeded all expectations. It was a great course for energy experts of all levels to understand how the European Union is approaching our energy transition.
Jaden Kielty

The Intensive Seminar on the EU programme exceeded my expectations. Engaging lectures by excellent professors and professionals working with European institutions provided valuable insights into EU priorities. The organization was excellent, with clear communication throughout. Although intensive, the two weeks were absolutely worthwhile. Beyond the high-quality academic content, the seminar offered meaningful exchanges, new professional connections, and an inspiring group of participants, which was an added value.

Alessandra Apicella

The two-week-long Intensive Seminar on the EU programme on EU Governance was an excellent introduction to the way the EU works and thinks. It does what it promises to do - it brings leading academics and practitioners to present on these topics and gives an opportunity to experience the decision-making process. In addition, every interaction with the school and each program participant exemplifies the vision of the EU. I would highly recommend it to anyone trying to understand Europe's actions today and to envision its future role in the world.

Eva Mineva

The EU Project Management course exceeded our expectations and provided a good balance between expert knowledge and practical tools for managing EU-funded projects across a wide range of organisations. The interactive sessions, practical case studies and diverse group of international participants made it a valuable learning experience. The teachers were knowledgeable, engaging and always willing to share their experience and answer questions. We returned to work with new insights and practical skills that will strengthen our ability to successfully manage complex EU projects.

Barbara Waltmans & Rikst Thalen 

Some experiences stay with you because they give you more than new ideas, they help you see yourself more clearly.
The Executive Training in EU Skills: the collaborative leader journey at the College of Europe last week was one of those moments. I was invited to look beyond daily routines and responsibilities and to think more deeply about how I interact with the people and institutions around me. More than a professional development opportunity, this became a space for reflection, honest exchange, and personal growth. It challenged me to reconsider familiar patterns and to appreciate the value of cooperation not only as a working method, but as a mindset. Twelve years have passed since I took an early morning train to Bruges and every time the College proves to be a fantastic personal and educational experience.
Special thanks go to the Executive Education, Training & Projects Office of the College of Europe and Dinka Krčelić to motivate me to take this inspiring journey.

Stefano Pintus

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Competition Policy & Digital Markets course at the College of Europe in Bruges. Over three intensive days, I engaged in case-study discussions and exchanged views with experts and participants from different jurisdictions at a leading institution in the study of EU law and policy. It was a highly enriching opportunity to reflect on the challenges that digital markets raise for competition law, from multi-sided platforms, network effects and lock-in, to self-preferencing, the interpretation and application of the Digital Markets Act, algorithmic collusion, data-driven mergers, killer acquisitions, and other similarly fascinating issues arising in this context.
I am grateful to the Executive Education, Training & Projects Office team for the excellence of the organisation and the quality of the sessions and speakers, as well as to Sousa Ferro & Associados for its support and encouragement.

Ricardo Jorge Silva

More testimonials on our LinkedIn page

 

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