English
Online and in Brussels
From 15 September to 17 December 2026
IMES
International Master in European Studies
41st edition
The Master
For over twenty years, the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce has been organising the Executive Master IMES – International Master in European Studies for those who want to expand their field of activity through access to European calls for proposals and transnational networks.
Arrived at the 41st edition, IMES continues to provide the strategic knowledge and practical skills necessary to access European funding opportunities and successfully implement innovative projects at local, national and international levels.
It does so by renewing itself and dividing the entrepreneurial training path into 4 modules designed to facilitate direct connection with the European professional world. This is evidenced by the numerous Alumni trained by the Chamber of Commerce who have successfully established themselves as professionals, thanks to the practical work opportunities and the publication and sharing of the CV Book with the companies in the chamber network.
IMES is an initiative aimed at excellence that allows you to:
- Understand the functioning of the European Union and the structure of its main funding programmes
- Simulate the writing and submission process of a project proposal
- Navigate the international professional environment of Brussels and engage directly with its key stakeholders
Online lessons and in-person meetings are held by professors from the Catholic University of Leuven and by experts from European and international institutions in Brussels, with whom the Chamber of Commerce has built and consolidated strategic partnerships within the context of high-quality training and EU-project activities.
Start your journey with the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce
Why choose IMES
Meetings with experts
Engage with European officials, consultants, and entrepreneurs and build a strong professional network in Brussels.
Support for internships
Find internship and job opportunities in Brussels with the support of the Europe Desk.
CV Book
Get in contact with potential employers by having your profile included in our CV Book, which the Chamber shares with its network.
Career coaching
Take advantage of personalised sessions for effective professional placement in the European job market.
The programme
The intensive programme is structured into 4 modules to develop professional skills that can be immediately applicable in a short time.
Module 1 is mandatory and constitutes the common foundation for all participants.
Modules 2, 3 and 4 can be attended individually or combined with our training packages, depending on your professional goals.
Thanks to this approach, CCBI allows for the construction of a flexible and personalised pathway, while maintaining a solid common foundation.
At the end of each module, participants will be involved in an operational assessment of the skills acquired, based on practical exercises, project work or simulations.
This module provides the essential foundations for understanding the functioning of the European Union, analysing its history, structure, budget and funding opportunities, alongside the most effective techniques of Project Management, following the methodology developed by the European Commission PM² Project Management Methodology to successfully access European funds.
Structure
The five lessons will take place online from September 15 to 29:
- Tuesday and Thursday
- from 18:30 to 21:00
Contents
- The institutional system and the budget of the European Union: history, bodies, decision-making processes, Multiannual Financial Framework
- EU funding opportunities: promoting institutions and agencies, evaluators and strategic priorities, information platforms and monitoring of project calls
- Quality projects: analysis of case studies to understand the most effective techniques for project writing, building solid and reliable consortia and drafting a project budget
- Efficient project management: methodologies and tools for coordinating partnerships and fulfilling management and financial reporting obligations
- Effective communication: drafting of quality reports and dissemination of results through communication channels and tools in the digital revolution era
Practical focus
Understanding how the institutional system and the EU budget work, from decision-making to the Multiannual Financial Framework
Navigating European funding programmes and opportunities, identifying key actors, strategic priorities and monitoring tools for calls
Acquiring practical skills in EU project desing and implementation, from analysing successful cases to project writing, management, reporting and communication of results
Skills and professional opportunities
- Understanding and interacting effectively with the European institutional system, its decision-making processes and key actors
- Developing operational skills to work in European funding, from design to management and reporting
- Accessing career opportunities in European affairs, EU project management, consultancy and public affairs/lobbying
This module is designed to teach how to navigate and understand European Union funding programmes, identifying the most suitable one for each idea and need, and understanding the specific rules of each programme through the study and analysis of case studies.
The lessons are taught by EU consultants and experts and officials from the European Commission, who will guide students during the workshops scheduled for Saturday mornings, with the aim of developing a concrete project proposal.
Structure
Lessons will take place online from 6 October to 7 November:
- Tuesday and Thursday: from 18:30 to 21:00
- Saturday: from 09:30 to 12:30
Content
Culture and Youth: Erasmus+ and Creative Europe (6, 8, 10 October)
- Programme structure and thematic priorities
- Types of funded actions and eligible projects
- Partnerships, requirements and eligibility criteria
- Analysis of calls and success stories
- Key elements for a competitive application
Research and Innovation: Horizon Europe (13, 15, 17 October)
- Programme architecture (Pillar, Cluster, Missions)
- Types of funding and instruments (RIA, IA, CSA)
- Building consortia and the role of partners
- Evaluation criteria and impact logics
- Reading and analysis of calls real
Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship: SMP and ESF+ (20, 22, 24 October)
- Strategic objectives and areas of intervention
- Opportunities for SMEs, public entities and organisations
- Funding mechanisms and involved actors
- Project requirements and selection criteria
- Practical examples and case studies
Citizenship and Democratic Engagement: CERV Programme (27, 29, 31 October)
- Programme priorities and types of actions
- Targets, beneficiaries and partnerships
- Building projects on citizenship and EU values
- Evaluation criteria and quality elements
- Analysis of funded projects
Green Transition and Sustainability: LIFE Programme (3, 5, 7 November)
- Programme structure and sub-programmes
- Types of projects (standard, strategic, etc.)
- Technical and financial requirements
- Environmental impact and sustainability indicators
- Best practices and case studies
Practical focus
- Guided reading and interpretation of European calls, with analysis of requirements, priorities, eligibility and evaluation criteria
- Step-by-step development of a project proposal, from idea definition to structuring the main sections of the application
- Simulation of the application and evaluation process, including critical review of the project and identification of strengths and areas for improvement
Skills and professional opportunities
- Develop professional skills as a project manager and EU project consultant, from project design to EU funds management
- Acquire an operational knowledge of the main EU funding programmes (Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, LIFE, CERV, SMP/ESF+), understanding their logic, requirements and specific features
- Access career opportunities in public bodies, NGOs and consulting firms operating in the field of European funding and international projects
This module is designed to teach how to navigate and understand European Union funding programmes, identifying the most suitable one for each idea and need, and understanding the specific rules of each programme through the study and analysis of case studies.
Structure
The four lessons will take place online from 17 to 26 November:
- Tuesday and Thursday: from 18:30 to 21:00
Content
- AI in drafting European project proposals: from identifying and developing the project idea to structuring the application. Use of AI tools for writing, aligning with EU programme objectives, and improving overall project quality
- AI in analysing calls, requirements and evaluation criteria: techniques and tools to analyse calls for proposals, eligibility requirements and scoring criteria in order to increase the coherence, relevance and competitiveness of applications
- AI in the management and implementation of European Commission-funded projects: support for activity monitoring, technical and financial reporting, report drafting, and optimisation of project coordination and communication processes
Practical focus
- Guided use of AI tools for the analysis of EU tenders, including the interpretation of requirements, priorities, and evaluation criteria
- Practical application of AI in writing project proposals, from defining the idea to structuring the application
- Simulation of review, optimisation, and reporting of a project, with the support of AI throughout the various phases of the project cycle
Skills and career opportunities
- Use AI tools strategically for EU project design, from analysing tenders to writing and optimising applications
- Developing operational skills for EU project management supported by AI, including monitoring, reporting, and coordinating activities
- Strengthening the professional profile in the field of EU project design and digital innovation, expanding opportunities in consultancy, project management, and European funding
This module provides opportunities to connect with institutional and business actors active in the European context in Brussels, as well as with companies and entrepreneurs within the Chamber’s network.
Through practical work with EU project design experts and consultants, as well as visits to companies and entrepreneurs active in Brussels across different sectors, students will learn how to operate effectively in a constantly evolving international environment.
Structure
The four lessons take place online and in Brussels from 8 to 17 December:
- Online: Tuesday 8 and Thursday 10 December, 18:30 – 21:00
- In Brussels: from 14 to 17 December (schedule to be defined based on the availability of institutions and companies involved)
Content
- CV and cover letter: techniques and tips for effective writing according to European standards, to enhance skills and experiences in EU project design and EU affairs and to adapt applications to different professional contexts (EU institutions, consultancy, NGOs)
- Guided Tender Simulation: laboratory development of a Project Work starting from a real call, from the construction of the partnership and structuring of the proposal to the final presentation, with structured feedback
- Career Day: meetings with Italian business realities in Brussels and in-depth exploration of career opportunities and networking activities in an international context through direct comparison with companies and organisations active in the sector
- Institutional Visits: getting to know the European institutions closely through meetings and testimonies about their operational and decision-making processes
Practical focus
- Selection process simulations, with exercises on tests, interviews and recruitment dynamics in Brussels
- Guided writing of CVs and applications for European and international contexts, with adaptation to the different required profiles
- Networking activities and professional positioning, to build an effective strategy for entering the EU job market
Professional output
- Targeted preparation for the selection processes of EU institutions and international organisations
- Developing a competitive profile for roles in consultancy, European affairs and Euro-projecting
- Accessing professional opportunities in European and international contexts, thanks to concrete application and networking tools
Certifications
The Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce awards the Certificate of Participation – Executive Master in European Studies and Euro-projecting Techniques to students who attend at least 80% of the total course hours.
In addition, participants who take and pass the final assessments will receive the Diploma in Executive Master - European Studies and Euro-projecting Techniques.
IMES was created to provide highly transferable practical skills and valuable networking opportunities. No university credits are awarded.
The start of your career in Brussels
Attending IMES opens the doors to numerous careers for exploring and contributing to the definition of European policies, thanks to the acquisition and refinement of in-depth knowledge of European funding programmes and skills in project management.
Policy Advisor, Lobbyist and Advocacy Officer
Project Manager, EU Project Consultant, Programme Officer
Procurement Officer and Business Developer
Testimonials
Over more than 30 editions, IMES has welcomed up to 30 students each year from all over the world, creating a multicultural environment that enhances both personal and professional growth. 96% of students from the latest edition declared themselves highly satisfied with the Master and found job opportunities in the international context after completing their studies.
Costs and payment methods
The total cost for attending the Master's programme is € 3,900.00.
The Chamber offers the option to choose the package of attendance "EU and EU Project Management Foundations" (Modules 1, 2, 3) for a cost of € 3,200.00. Alternatively, you can choose to attend
- the single Module 1, 2 or 3 for a cost of € 1,200.00
- the Module 4 for a cost of € 1,500.00
- the Modules 1 and 4 for a cost of € 2,500.00
The first 5 students will enjoy a 15% discount on the cost of attending the entire Master's programme. Alternatively, they can enjoy a 10% discount on the cost of attending the other options.
To enrol contact info@europeanmaster.net