Organised by Catalonia International as a complement to the 5th edition of the "Seminar on European funds: funding tools and opportunities for local bodies"

On 30 June and 1 July, Catalonia International organised a visit to European institutions and bodies in Brussels. The visit was designed for the students participating in the fifth edition of the "Seminar on European funds: funding tools and opportunities for local bodies", all of whom are professionals who work for the various local administrations in Catalonia or the Government of Catalonia.

The purpose of the visit was to provide the participants with firsthand insight into the various topics discussed during the seminar. It also offered an opportunity for them to become more familiar with European bodies and institutions. The group of 30 people who travelled to Brussels was made up of technical experts from various town councils, regional councils and provincial councils, as well as the AMB, the Government of Catalonia and the Catalan Association of Municipalities.

The programme began with a welcome at the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the European Union in Brussels and a talk by the head of Barcelona Provincial Council's Office in Brussels, Blanca Soler. The Government's Delegate in Brussels, Ester Borràs, also addressed the attendees. The group visited the European Commission, where they met Jaume Tardy from the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, and visited the Experience Europe exhibition.

At the European Parliament, the group was welcomed by Vice-President Javi López, who explained the key issues currently under discussion at the institution. They also met with Josep M. Ribot, Director of Resources at the Directorate-General for the Presidency, and visited the chamber. The programme concluded with a visit to the Committee of the Regions, where they were welcomed by Maria Alonso and Alexandre Garde, a former intern at the Consortium, who explained the primary tasks carried out by the body, which represents regional and local authorities in Europe.

In view of the interest shown and the success of this first visit to Brussels, the organisers and collaborators involved in the "Seminar on European funds: funding tools and opportunities for local bodies", namely the Catalan Association of Municipalities, the Federation of Municipalities of Catalonia, and Catalonia International, with the collaboration of the Ministry of European Union and Foreign Action of the Government of Catalonia, the Public Administration School of Catalonia (EAPC) and Barcelona Provincial Council, have agreed that from now on the visit to Brussels will form an integral part of the seminar programme.