EU Training Programme – Module 3 in Graz
EU & YOU

Following up on the second module of the EU training programme in the European Castle in Neumarkt in der Steiermark in July, we were very much looking forward to meeting the members of the Austrian group again in Graz from 15^th to 17^th November 2024 (Friday to Sunday). This training programme (‘Exchange, Engage & Connect’) includes non-formal transfer of knowledge and skills about the EU and civil society engagement. In addition, meeting decision makers and fostering intercultural exchange are core elements of this project. Module 3 focused on EU & YOU, the connections between Austria and the European Union and possibilities for young people to start an EU career. While we were meeting in Graz, the Danish group came together again as well for Module 3, which was organised separately.

On the arrival date of this module, the participants were welcomed by the team in a restaurant near the main train station of Graz. The first evening was used for a get-together in the JEF Steiermark office. On the next morning, we met in the rooms of the European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe (ECML). After the check-in and gathering expectations for the weekend we went to the Styrian Parliament (Steiermärkischer Landtag) and had been welcomed by Georg Schwarzl (Greens). As youngest member of parliament of his party he gave us a tour through the building und answered our questions about the relation between the European Union and the Austrian regions and their parliaments. We also discussed current political challenges, the Styrian regional elections, his experiences as a young member of parliament and his successes as a member of parliament. Next we were welcomed by Hannes Schwarz (SPÖ) and Elisabeth Grossmann, MEP (SPÖ). The topics of the exchange were the global challenges after the election victory of Donald Trump, the economic imbalance in Europe and the hearings of the new EU Commission. Mrs Grossmann told us about her first months as an MEP and her work in the committees for the internal market and consumer protection as well as equality. After enjoying some Italian delicacies, the afternoon programme included a workshop on the „hot issues“ in the relationship between Austria and the European Union – security policy/neutrality, the EU budget, migration policy and the distribution of competences. In small groups, the participants worked out the positions of the Austrian parties on European integration in the second workshop of the day and linked these to the scenarios for the future of the European Union based on the Juncker White Paper. After dinner together, we rounded off the evening with a game of billiards at Immervoll. On Sunday, we started the day together in the ECML and first solved the tricky composition of the European Commission (2024-2027). In the last content-related item on the programme of Module 3, Clarissa presented us with various opportunities for internships at the European Union and the ways to become an EU civil servant. As a special guest, we were able to welcome Jakob, who completed an internship of several months in the EPP Group last year. He was available to answer questions from the participants and told us about his impressions and experiences in Brussels.

We said goodbye to the participants with a joint lunch. With high motivation for module 4 in Brussels the participants left Graz and were already looking forward to meeting the whole group of young people again in March 2025.