Mastering EU Influence: 60 Students Embark on a Brussels Lobbying Bootcamp

How do you put your region on the map in the Brussels bubble using a local/regional cheese? That was the challenge posed to 60 students from 12 different countries last month during an immersive international week at EPHEC University College in Brussels.

During this 5-day training course, the heart of Europe became a hands-on classroom for aspiring lobbyists and policy professionals. Under the theme « Mastering EU Influence: Practical Lobbying and Networking in Brussels, » this unique program was organised for the fourth time by EPHEC lecturers Pascal Goergen and Katrien Bostyn, with support from the EU’s Erasmus+ programme.

International weeks like this one, typically five days long and hosted by European universities, are designed to bring together students from partner institutions around a central theme. This year’s focus – Lobbying and Networking in the EU – was both timely and ambitious.

The week began with a “field visit” inside the EU Quarter. Students set off on a scavenger hunt of sorts, identifying major EU institutions and associations, and even spotting key players by the badges they wore. The tour included insider visits to the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Committee of the Regions, each offering interactive presentations by experts working inside the institutions.

But perhaps the highlight came with a special visit to the iconic Press Club Brussels Europe. There, students attended exclusive talks from seasoned lobbyists including Paul Cartuyvels, Executive Director at Bouygues Europe, and Inma Valencia, Director of the Cantabria Regional Office. A networking lunch followed, giving participants a rare opportunity to connect with professionals in an informal setting.

For many, the experience was more than just educational—it was transformational. “I’ve always dreamed of working in EU institutions,” said one participant. “This week brought me closer to that goal.” Even for local students from Brussels, the experience proved revelatory. “I walk past these buildings every day,” another shared, “but I never realized what really happens inside.”

The academic challenge of the week revolved around a creative case study: crafting a lobbying strategy to promote a regional cheese in Brussels’ complex institutional landscape. Students were grouped across cultures and disciplines, encouraging rich collaboration. A dedicated workshop on intercultural communication gave them the tools to navigate team dynamics and work effectively together.

Despite the tight timeline, the students’ final presentations on the last day revealed sharp insights, strategic thinking, and above all—a newfound confidence in navigating EU influence.

For EPHEC and its European academic partners, the event marked another successful edition of a growing tradition. For the students, it may have been the first step into the corridors of European power.