Accesso a Bruxelles: Istituzioni UE, Advocacy e Networking Strategico
Understanding the European system and building effective professional relationships
Italian and English
7-8-9 July 2026 (online) | 14–15 July 2026 (Bruxelles)
Online and in Bruxelles
The Course
Brussels is a highly relational institutional and business ecosystem. It is based on trust, reputation, and the building of formal and informal networks, making the development of strategic networking skills essential for professional career success.
Understanding how the European Union works, knowing its main actors, and being able to navigate it effectively — by learning how to interpret its relational dynamics — is essential for those who wish to work in Brussels.
The course Access to Brussels: EU Institutions, Advocacy and Strategic Networking is designed to provide an integrated understanding of the European system and to offer practical tools to incorporate networking into a structured professional strategy.
The programme combines online training and direct experience in Brussels, through a practical approach inspired by learning by doing. At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- clearly understand how European institutions function
- know the decision-making process and the dynamics of lobbying and advocacy
- use tools to navigate the professional ecosystem of Brussels
- apply strategic networking and professional positioning skills
- define and concretely implement a plan for developing professional relationships at the European level
A professional development path designed for those who wish to grow strategically within the European context.
Start your journey with the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce
This course is designed for:
- policy and project officer (early–mid career)
- junior–mid level consultants in European affairs
- staff of associations, NGOs, clusters, and representative organisations
- start-up founders interested in engagement at EU level
- professionals based in Italy with a strong interest in Brussels
- To understand how European institutions and the decision-making process work
- To turn networking into a structured and strategic competence
- To learn how to build and maintain a solid professional network aligned with your objectives
- To enhance your employability with skills applicable in the European context.
- To strengthen your professional positioning through communication tools (email, LinkedIn, meetings, public speaking).
- To benefit from the twenty years of training experience of the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce, at the heart of the European system
LESSON 1: 7 July 2026, 18:00–20:30
Understanding the European Union
This module introduces participants to the European system and the institutional structure of the EU, covering:
- the path towards European integration: EU values and objectives
- the role of institutions: focus on the European Council, European Commission, European Parliament, and Council of the European Union
- the European decision-making process
- the types of European legislative acts
Knowledge acquired will be assessed through an interactive quiz on how European institutions function and a guided discussion of the results.
LESSON 2: 8 July 2026, 18:00–20:30
Influencing European policies: Lobbying and Advocacy
During this module, participants will learn how to identify key stakeholders for the effective implementation of their projects and analyse their role, influencing decision-making processes through precise strategies:
- what is lobbying
- who the key actors are: the role of businesses, NGOs, associations, trade unions
- La trasparenza e il registro dei lobbisti
- advocacy and lobbying strategies to influence a legislative proposal
Knowledge acquired will be tested in a practical way through the analysis of a real European lobbying case, guided by expert trainers.
LESSON 3: 9 July 2026, 18:00–20:30
The Brussels ecosystem and strategic networking
This module explores the professional dynamics of Brussels and the tools for building strategic networks at the heart of the European Union:
- Brussels: a unique political and professional ecosystem
- key actors: EU institutions, permanent representations, NGOs, associations, and corporate offices
- key elements: trust and reputation in European contexts
- the difference between contacts and a professional network: effectively using networking tools (email, LinkedIn, meetings, events)
Knowledge acquired will be assessed through the development of a personal networking plan for Brussels and peer discussion.
FIRST MEETING: 14 July 2026
Institutional visits and meetings with EU professionals
During their stay in Brussels, participants will experience EU institutions first-hand through visits and meetings with representatives and professionals. Activities include:
- visit to the European Parliament
- meetings with a Member of the European Parliament, a European Commission official, and a representative of the Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU
- meeting with a lobbying professional
The day will conclude with a real networking event at the heart of the European ecosystem: the Apéro in Camera, with members of the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce.
SECOND MEETING: 15 July 2026
Certificate award and course closing
In the morning, participants will meet staff of the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce and course trainers to reflect on their networking experience and receive their certificates of participation.
The final in-person debriefing will provide an opportunity to consolidate relationships built during the course and gather feedback to ensure the quality of the professional development pathway offered by the Chamber.
Elisa Vitella
Elisa Vitella is a European public affairs expert with over fifteen years of experience supporting SMEs, trade associations, and organisations in engaging with EU institutions. She is the founder of EValue Consulting, through which she supports companies and organisations in developing institutional relations strategies and strengthening their positioning in the European context.
Giorgio De Bin
Giorgio De Bin is Secretary General of the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce. During his decade-long career in Brussels, he has worked in various institutional contexts, developing relational strategies and strong networks that ensure the quality and reliability of the Chamber’s activities.
Take your training to the next level
You can complete your professional profile by acquiring skills in the design and implementation of European projects or by updating your existing competences: enroll in our Master IMES - International Master in European Studies!
Registration and Fees
Registration can be completed directly online by selecting the relevant fee and completing the secure payment. The fee includes participation in the online lessons, access to teaching materials, and a digital certificate of attendance.All lessons will be recorded and made available on our e-learning platform for 12 months, allowing participants to review content independently. Access to recordings is optional and available with the PLUS fee.
Registration deadline: 24/06/2026
Bank transfer
Payment can also be made by bank transfer to the account of the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce. In this case, to complete the registration you must send an email to info@ccitabel.com attaching proof of payment.
Account holder: Camera di Commercio Belgo-Italiana
IBAN: BE22 7340 6465 4347
Bank: KBC
BIC: KREDBEBB
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