GPRG EU Academy

Hem
Sverige
Lund
GPRG EU Academy

The GPRG EU Academy in Sweden, is a biannual program to spark youth interest in EU and EU careers.

The GPRG EU Academy is a biannual, immersive program based in Lund, Sweden, dedicated to sparking interest in the EU and EU Careers amongst youth in Sweden. Our mission is to provide an immersive and comprehensive learning experience that captures the essence of EU dynamics, policies, and global impact. Our Four Pillars of Excellence:

1) Visits: Experience the inner workings of the EU firsthand.

Our program includes exclusive visits to key EU institutions, embassies, and non-governmental organizations, providing unparalleled insights into international diplomacy and policy-making.

2) Lectures: Benefit from a diverse range of lectures delivered by seasoned EU practitioners and experts. Our speakers range from established professionals to emerging voices in the field, ensuring a well-rounded and up-to-date educational experience.

3) Simulations: Engage in realistic simulations that cover various aspects of EU operations, including security, diplomacy, and human rights. These interactive sessions are designed to provide practical understanding and application of theoretical knowledge.

4) Community: Join a network of alumni and like-minded individuals passionate about European affairs. Our community is a vibrant space for networking, collaboration, and ongoing engagement with current EU topics and challenges. GPRG EU Academy is an initiative of the Global Policy Research Group.

13/06/2025

We’re now recruiting the organizing team behind the GPRG EU Academy for the 2025–2026 cycle.

We’re currently looking for:
•Deputy Director (1 position)
•Digital Media Officer (1 position)
•Policy Officer (1 position)
•Partnership Officers (2 positions)

So far, we have
•Visited 30+ embassies and institutions.
•Hosted 40+ high-level speakers, including top EU officials
•Organized 4 graduation events with lightning debates
•Co-organized an EU conference
•Graduated over 100 fellows
•And most importantly — saw our graduates land jobs at EU institutions

This is one of Sweden’s most hands-on for EU career development — and you’d be helping lead it.

What’s in it for you?
•Access to 20+ embassies, organizations, and EU institutions
•A network of mentors and insiders who open real doors
•Leadership experience few student initiatives can match
•A chance to shape the future of the Academy
•And yes, a lot of fun along the way

📍 Based in Lund, Sweden.
💼 Voluntary position
🕐 Deadline: August 1 — but rolling applications.

If you’re proactive, serious about the EU, and ready to do work that actually matters — apply now.

🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dWsTk8BH

💬 Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

13/06/2025

We’re now recruiting the organizing team behind the GPRG EU Academy for the 2025–2026 cycle.

We’re currently looking for:
•Deputy Director (1 position)
•Digital Media Officer (1 position)
•Policy Officer (1 position)
•Partnership Officers (2 positions)

So far, we have
•Visited 30+ embassies and institutions.
•Hosted 40+ high-level speakers, including top EU officials
•Organized 4 graduation events with lightning debates
•Co-organized an EU conference
•Graduated over 100 fellows
•And most importantly — saw our graduates land jobs at EU institutions

This is one of Sweden’s most hands-on for EU career development — and you’d be helping lead it.

What’s in it for you?
•Access to 20+ embassies, organizations, and EU institutions
•A network of mentors and insiders who open real doors
•Leadership experience few student initiatives can match
•A chance to shape the future of the Academy
•And yes, a lot of fun along the way

📍 Based in Lund, Sweden.
💼 Voluntary position
🕐 Deadline: August 1 — but rolling applications.

If you’re proactive, serious about the EU, and ready to do work that actually matters — apply now.

🔗 Application link in bio

💬 Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

05/06/2025

When we began this spring semester of the EU Academy, we said this project would be about learning and about creating human connections. About building a space where people could grow together, professionally and as humans.

Now that we’ve reached the end of the semester, we can say with full hearts: we did it.

During the graduation event, we could all feel it in us, the laughter, the familiarity, the bond that formed among people who, just two months ago, were mostly strangers. And while life will soon carry everyone onto different paths, this little window in time will stay with us. A time of learning, discovery, and shared experience.

We’re proud to have been part of that. And so grateful to each of our fellows for bringing their curiosity, kindness, energy and their most authentic selves to this community.

Because at the end of the day, this is what we’re here for: to inform and shape young professionals, yes. But also to bring people together. To plant the seeds of something better. A stronger society. A more human Europe.

03/06/2025

One of the highlights of our graduation event was witnessing our fellows finally present the policy work they have been developing over the past few months throughout the EU Academy journey.

Divided into groups, they discussed four themes:
🌍 EU strategic autonomy vs. transatlantic cooperation
🛂 The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum
🇪🇺 EU enlargement and the eastern neighborhood
🌱 The Green Deal and balancing ambition in today’s economic and political climate.

Each topic featured two teams, one arguing in favor and one against a format that sparked thoughtful presentations, honest disagreements, and engaging debates among the teams and the audience.

We’re especially grateful to Rikard Bengtsson, Henrik Emilsson, Michel Anderlini, and Thomas Hickmann for joining us and sharing their professional insights with everyone.

Watching our fellows speak with clarity, confidence, and conviction, after weeks of research and preparation, was deeply fulfilling for us at the Academy.

It’s a reminder of all the hard work everyone has put into the Academy’s journey and how we are headed down the right path.

29/05/2025

The 2025 spring semester of the EU Academy has come to an end, and what a journey it’s been.

Thanks to the support of our partners at Europa Direkt Lund, who hosted our graduation event, we ended this chapter in the best way possible: together, celebrating all that’s been learned, explored, and shared.

Over the past months, we’ve had the chance to explore some of the most pressing issues facing the European Union, guided by researchers, policy-makers, and professionals in the field.

This semester brought with it a mix of learning and discovery, in the classroom and out in the world. The visits, the conversations, the moments shared… they all added something real. It’s been meaningful for what we learned and for the way we experienced it all together.

Our participants received their certificates that mark the completion of something greater: the effort, passion, and courage they’ve shown in stepping forward into this space.

We believe deeply in what we do. And it’s been an honor to walk even a small part of this path with each of you. Thank you for letting us be part of your story.

The EU Academy family lives on, and we’re already looking forward to what next semester will bring.

22/05/2025

During our fourth and final visit to Copenhagen this semester, we had the chance to spend time at the European Environment Agency and the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Denmark

At the EEA, we gained a deeper understanding of the agency’s work in informing the public about the state of our environment—something they’re not only committed to but also legally required to do. Although they don’t propose legislation or allocate funding, their role is crucial in shaping environmental policies throughout the EU. We had engaging discussions about sustainable finance and the ambition to quadruple climate-related investments, and also the topic of circular economy practices and the challenges surrounding plastics.

Later, we were welcomed at the Argentine Embassy by his excellency Ambassador Julio Mercado for an open conversation about Latin America’s relationship with the EU. We discussed how Mercosur is increasingly perceived as rigid and limiting, especially when compared to the flexibility of countries like Chile, Peru, and Colombia in forming their own agreements. Nonetheless, we learned that the Argentine public widely supports the Mercosur-EU trade deal and continues to hold promise for the region.

We are grateful to both institutions for their hospitality and to everyone who helped make this final visit of the semester so meaningful.

21/05/2025

For our third embassy visit in Copenhagen, we had the opportunity to meet with representatives from two countries, each with its unique voice and role in Europe’s diplomatic landscape: Cyprus and Switzerland.

At the Cypriot Embassy, we received a warm welcome from the Cypriot ambassador, who inspired us with words that took us on a journey through Cyprus’s complex history, its deep-rooted cultural ties to Greece, and the island’s delicate position at the crossroads of Europe and its neighboring regions.

We discussed matters of geopolitics and identity, and he captivated our full attention. It was one of those rare moments when diplomacy felt profoundly human.

Later, at the Swiss Embassy, we entered a different rhythm, defined by that signature Swiss spirit: calm, precise, and deeply democratic.

We learned about the country’s renowned neutrality and how it balances principle with pragmatism.

Through discussions on direct democracy, referenda, and Switzerland’s evolving place in Europe, we reflected on what it truly means to uphold democratic values in an ever-changing world.

Thanks to both embassies for opening their doors and sharing their knowledge.

20/05/2025

For our final lecture of this spring semester, we had the pleasure of welcoming Stina Soewarta, Director of General Affairs at the Directorate-General for Competition at the European Commission. She provided us with an in-depth look at EU Competition Policy: what it is, why it matters, and how it is evolving as competitiveness becomes a priority on the EU agenda, particularly in light of the Mario Draghi report.

As a Lund University alumna and an experienced EU official, Stina also shared insights from her personal journey, giving us a glimpse into what it is truly like to work behind the scenes at the Commission.

She explained her role in detail, covering aspects such as policy design and team leadership, and discussed how these elements fit into the broader context of EU policymaking. Additionally, she offered valuable advice to our fellows on how to carve out their own paths within the EU, reminding us that while the journey can be complex, it is filled with exciting opportunities.

We are extremely grateful to Stina for joining us and to all of you who have been with us throughout this semester!

15/05/2025

On May 7th, during Lund’s Sustainability Week, we co-hosted a panel on the EU’s Nature Restoration Law, now in force as part of the Green Deal. 🌱

Together with Europa Direkt Lund and the European Parliament Liaison Office, we welcomed Emelie Nilsson (WWF) and Hjalmar Åhrén (Lund Municipality) to discuss how this law will shape ecosystems, local communities, and conservation efforts. The session was expertly moderated by Fariborz Zelli, professor at Lund University.

We’re grateful for the rich discussion, the audience’s questions, and the chance to partner on such an important topic.
Also great to have our Co-Executive Director Szymon Szacht with us, always part of making these events happen.

12/05/2025

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Cecilia Malmström, former EU Commissioner for Trade, for a powerful lecture on “The EU’s Role in Global Trade.”

Drawing from her own experience in Brussels, she helped us understand what it takes for the EU to remain open to the world while adapting to a changing global order.

We explored the EU’s complex relationship with China, the importance of maintaining strong ties with the US, and how multilateralism is being tested. Cecilia also reminded us that despite these challenges, the EU still leads the way globally concerning trade agreements.

With agreements like those with Japan, South Korea, and Canada, along with more partnerships on the horizon, the EU continues to build a network of collaborations that reflects its economic goals and shared values.

A big thank you to Europa Direkt Lund for hosting us, and to Cecilia for finding the time to join us and speak openly. It’s not every day you get to learn directly from someone who has been right at the center of these decisions.

08/05/2025

This Monday, our fellows had the chance to play as EU leaders, member states, and key stakeholders in our biggest policy simulation so far: The EU’s Strategic Crossroads.

The scenario?
A Union under pressure, navigating a changing world with rising tensions in Ukraine, energy volatility, cyberattacks, migration surges, and shifts in transatlantic relations. Throughout the day, our ten stakeholder teams were asked to find a common EU response across four pressing areas:
🌱 Green Deal & Energy
🧭 Strategic Autonomy & Defense
🧳 Migration & Asylum
🌍 EU Enlargement

They negotiated, formed unlikely alliances, and adjusted strategies in real time to crisis updates, presenting their final policy package to the rest of the room, voting on the most viable overall EU strategy to move forward. It was dynamic, chaotic (just like real politics), and full of learning moments.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible work of our two policy officers, Maria Lafazani and Christian Maurice Bissinger. They’ve spent the past months building this from the ground up—workshops, materials, scenarios, and coordination—and it showed. Their passion for EU policy and education, along with their commitment to delivering something meaningful to our participants, is something we’re truly proud of.

07/05/2025

Our Co-Executive Director, Isac Larsson, is participating in Föreningen för utvecklingsfrågor (FUF)’s digital career seminar “The Paths to Development Jobs,” where he will speak about how initiatives like the EU Academy can support young professionals as they explore careers in EU institutions and international cooperation.

Alongside speakers from across the development sector, Isac is sharing how our program combines policy understanding with hands-on experience—from simulations to study visits—to help bridge the gap between academia and working life.

A big thank you to FUF – The Swedish Development Forum – for organizing this space to exchange perspectives and inspire the next generation.

We are proud to see Isac represent us and grateful for his dedication to both the Academy and his own path forward.

Adress

Scheelevägen 15
Lund
22370

Webbplats

https://www.gprgacademy.org/

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