Wrap-up of the Fellowship Programme for Government Officials from the Western Balkans 2018

This year's edition of the Fellowship Programme for Government Officials from the Western Balkans Generation has started with the eight-day introductory seminar held in Berlin and Potsdam, Germany, that offered the participants a cutting-edge knowledge of the administrative and polit­ical developments and dynamics. The fellows had the chance to discuss their plans for their fellowship, received individual advice, presented their professional and personal goals and prepared themselves for the practice phase of the fellowship programme. After the completion of the Fellowship Practice Phase in the Host Institutions, the European Fund for the Balkans gathered the fellows to the final seminar in Thessaloniki (November 24-29, 2018) as a final review meeting which was reserved for presenting the results of the Fellow's work and plans for follow-up. The Final Seminar offered a specifically designed combination of learning, networking and team building. It include training sessions in communication and presentation skills, hence preparing the fellows for a knowledge transfer in their home institutions. The objective of the training sessions of the Final Seminar was to provide the Fellows with an in-depth practical skills in two areas: “Lobbying and Decision Making Processes in the EU” with Steven Corcoran and “Facing my intercultural leadership skills” with Ljiljana Simic Deru, aimed at preparing them to take an active role in the EU accession processes of their countries. The trainings were carefully designed to further develop the leadership skills, enhance self-confidence and foster the transfer of practical knowledge gained during the EFB Fellowship. By their active participation in the interactive settings and workshops, the fellows were prepared to face the challenges of reintegration in their home institutions and work environments and readiness to step up with confidence into their change making roles. The Final seminar also offered an innovative teambuilding activities aiming at building strong and long-lasting network of friends and professionals, which function as an EFB Community network all over the region. In conducting the seminar, the European Fund for the Balkans traditionally combined forces with the lecturers from the College of Europe, the world’s first university institute of post-graduate studies and training in European affairs.