Public Policy Challenges – European and Regional Dimensions
The Summer Seminar is an annual forum for young public policy professionals from South Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region serving as a platform for discussion and networking among young state officials and representatives of think-tanks and research centers.
This long-term regional initiative was launched by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) with the support of a joint project of the Bertelsmann Foundation and the World Bank in 2000 in order to contribute to meeting the most visible and pressing challenges for South-Eastern Europe (SEE) at that time. Since then, EPI continues building actively on this concept which initially targeted young state officials from Bulgaria and Romania working in the field of EU integration.
Throughout the years, the Summer Seminar initiative broadened significantly its scope and geographical coverage. The EU membership prospects for many countries along with the overall processes of democratic transformation and the deep-rooted socio-economic reforms paved the way for a gradual involvement of other countries from the Western Balkans and the Black Sea basin and as of today this traditional initiative covers 15 SEE and Black Sea countries – Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Each year since 2000, after a competitive selection process, the Summer Seminar gathers app. 35 promising young professionals, coming nowadays from all the above-mentioned countries, for a week-long event in the vicinity of the city of Varna at the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Thus, by bringing together this diverse group of participants to meet distinguished international experts and practitioners and to discuss not only topics of regional significance but also up-to-date issues in the field of the European politics and economy, EPI aims at encouraging the exchange of good practices in this part of Europe and creating an environment for successful professional networking.
The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is now accepting applications for the 19th edition of its traditional Summer Seminar for Young Public Policy Professionals from South Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. SS2018, entitled “Public Policy Challenges – European and Regional Dimensions”, will be held in the period May 28 – June 1, 2018 at Albena resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast (close to the city of Varna).
SS2018 is part of the official calendar of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU. The seminar this year is made possible thank to the kind support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria, the Central European Initiative and the Austrian Embassy in Bulgaria.
SS Concept
After a competitive selection process, the regional seminar will bring together a diverse group of 40 outstanding young public policy professionals from state institutions and policy-oriented think-tanks/research centers from South Eastern Europe (SEE) and the Black Sea region. During the five-day international forum, they will meet distinguished international experts and practitioners discuss specific issues concerning good governance practices and public policies challenges in the light of the current European political, economic and security developments as well as issues of regional significance. Beside the key-notes and lectures, the event, which serves also a platform for an exchange of expertise and idea, will feature intensive discussions in a working-group format and tailor-made interactive modules.
Eligibility Criteria
SS2018 welcomes applications from young professionals from SEE and Black Sea countries who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- aged 25 – 35 years;
- proven expert background;
- excellent written and spoken command of English.
Selection Procedure
SS2018 participants will be selected through three independent application processes in an effort to ensure the optimal mix of professionals and favorable group dynamics.
Please, submit the online application form that best describes you as a candidate:
Type A: Public servant from state administrations of SEE & Black Sea countries
Type B: Public servant from state administration of Bulgaria
Type C: NGO/Think-tank & Academia representative from all eligible countries
Selection results will be announced via e-mail by April 25th, 2018.
Financial Assistance
Each year a limited number of full and partial scholarships as well as travel subsidies are available for specific groups of candidates. Detailed information on participation costs, financial assistance and eligibility criteria is provided in the online application form for each cohort of candidates.
Candidates planning to apply for full scholarship support are strongly advised to submit their applications as early as possible. EPI encourages applicants to seek other alternatives before requesting a travel subsidy (only for eligible candidates).
SS History
The forum was launched back in 2000 in order to contribute to the capacity-building and regional cooperation among young state officials from Bulgaria and Romania working in the field of EU integration. Throughout the years, this regional initiative broadened significantly its scope and geographical coverage, thus, building a unique professional network of 600+ alumni so far who make it a well-known and highly recognized regional initiative.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://summer-seminars.epi-bg.org/?utm_source=ARMACAD.info&utm_medium=ARMACAD.info