dr. Mendeltje van Keulen 

Many municipalities, including those in the province of Zuid-Holland, find it difficult to get a grip on European opportunities and challenges and to respond to them effectively. Four factors are usually lacking, namely (1) EU-awareness within the organisation, (2) an overarching European long-term strategy or vision within the organisation, (3) pro-active knowledge sharing and (4) available capacity and resources.

How can municipalities learn from each other on thematic issues like European regulation, knowledge transfer and funding opportunities, but also on organisational issues like how to develop EU awareness within the organisation or how to deal with capacity constraints?

In our project 'Europe as an opportunity' we delve into all these questions with a group of Dutch municipalities. The project is currently under development, with an intended start in the 3rd quarter of 2022.

For every municipality there are European opportunities and challenges with their local tasks. Which skills, information, EU monitoringdoes the internal organisation – officials, eldermen, departments -  need to make the most of the EU? 

dr. Tibor Hargitai

 ‘Europe as an opportunity’ – Increasing EU awareness in municipalities 

In Retourtje Brussel, Chris Aalberts and Mendeltje van Keulen talk to Dutch nationals working in Brussels. This creates a colourful picture of how European cooperation takes shape in practice and how 'the Netherlands' influences it. That makes this book a must-read for professionals who come into contact with the EU and for anyone who wants to understand the EU better.

'Retourtje Brussel: hoe Nederlanders werken aan de Europese Unie' was written with Mendeltje van Keulen and is published by Boom Bestuurskunde. The book is available in bookshops (ISBN 9789462363236). There is also a digital version (ISBN: 9789400111783).

Saïd Fazili (Ministry of General Affairs): 'Countries never want to be isolated within the EU'

Martijn Grevink (European Commission): The Commission is usually at the table from the beginning to the end'

Anne-Margreet Sas (Permanent Representation): When you negotiate, you know: we have to do it together'

Lara Wolters (European Parliament): 'As rapporteur, you quickly receive twenty centimetres of amendments'

Mielle Bulterman (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): 'Every national judge is also a European judge'

Robert van Asten (Municipality of The Hague): 'It's useful if you have a player on the field in Brussels'

Niels Schreuder (AGC): 'The organisations you work for need to be convinced of your reliability'

Kysia Hekster (NOS): 'We barely manage to meet the demand for Brussels news'

For many people, it is difficult to get a grip on the European Union: what is happening there and and how can you influence it? You only need to turn on the television and you will hear politicians claim that 'Brussels' has decided something about our wildlife reserves, the climate or the economy. So it often seems like the EU is taking measures we have no influence over at all. This is not true, but then how does it work?


To Brussels and back

The European Studies programme at The Hague University of Applied Sciences educates students to become professionals who can work successfully in a European context. During this programme students become aware of issues such as intercultural sensitivity, networking skills and how to work with(-in)different layers of government. In European Studies, students learn to become European professionals. Their knowledge and skills provide a good basis for solving European problems.

However, it takes more than just theoretical knowledge to become a successful professional. This research project focuses on the 'soft skills' that are important to effectively enter the European labour market. With a special methodology, the 'Q-method', the insights of EU officials, lobbyists, NGO workers, HR managers and alumni of the European Studies programme are tested. The results of this research are used to improve the curriculum of the European Studies programme and the training course for professionals. Are you interested in cooperation?

What skills should students develop to become successful European professionals? This question lies at the heart of this research project.

The soft skills of a European professional

In dit project worden EU-professionals in de spotlight gezet. Gedurende één jaar zullen we 60 professionals in Nederland tijdens hun werk aan één van de Europese prioriteiten fotograferen en met hen een vraaggesprek voeren over de Europese component in hun werk. De portretten worden online gepubliceerd en verzameld in een gedrukt magazine. Dit magazine wordt gebruikt als aanleiding voor een roadshow en een workshop/lespakket voor het hoger onderwijs.

Het doel van de interviews is via een toegankelijk format inzicht te geven in het dagelijkse mensenwerk dat Europa is. Daarbij ligt de focus op het hoe en wat van Europa, in plaats van de veelal dominante voor/tegen discours.

Veel burgers en (toekomstige) professionals hebben een beperkt beeld van de EU. Regels worden bedacht door technocraten en komen ‘zomaar’ op ons af, ‘Europa’ speelt zich af in Brussel, ver weg van ons dagelijks leven.

Dit beeld van Europa willen we veranderen bij een nieuwe generatie burgers en professionals. We willen laten zien wie er in Nederland allemaal aan de toekomst van Europa bouwt. We willen laten zien met welke kennis, vaardigeden en competenties je een bijdrage kunt leveren aan Europa en dat je hiervoor niet persé in Brussel hoeft te zijn maar ook dicht bij huis kunt blijven.

Europa is mensenwerk: dagelijks zijn honderden professionals in Nederland bezig met het maken en implementeren van Europees beleid. Zij spelen belangrijke rol in het vormgeven en realiseren van Europese prioriteiten. Aan dat gegeven willen we via dit project, letterlijk, een gezicht geven.

Europese professionals in de spotlight

How big is the market share in North Rhine-Westphalia? Which competitors can you expect in Hesse? Do you possess the right tools to identify and describe the characteristics of your future customers? The German desk offers you ambitious students who want to work on your challenges. The German Desk is an innovative Living Lab within The Hague University of Applied Sciences. In addition, the German Desk is a minor in the European Studies programme. Here, students are trained to become junior account managers for the Dutch-German working environment.

The German Desk is based on our belief that knowledge and skills are transferred and applied in professional practice. We support SMEs in expanding their export potential to Germany. Students acquire valuable knowledge and skills. Through our German desk, students can put their European Studies theory into practice for the benefit of SMEs in the Hague region and beyond.

We work closely with several economic partners in the Hague region. (The partner list can be found at the bottom of this page) The German Desk is proud to work within the SME-international-business -deal with the municipality of The Hague and eleven other major economic stakeholders. In addition, we maintain close contacts with trade and government organisations in the Netherlands and Germany. The mission of the German Desk is Wir verbinden Helden - we connect heroes. The German Desk believes that connecting students with companies and organisations is a valuable collaboration. The companies/organisations provide students with important practical cases and practical experience. The students use their knowledge and motivation to work on your assignment. Our current product portfolio consists of: Market Entry Scan, Market Analyses, Persona Mapping, Sector Analyses, Social Media and Value Proposition. Are you curious what the German Desk can do for you? Take a look at our website and contact us. Are you interested in cooperation?

The German Desk is a bridge between ambitious students and companies/organisations that wish to enter the German market with impact. 

German desk

Labour migration is a challenge and an opportunity. However, it remains difficult in many municipalities. How do EU municipalities work on housing and registration of EU migrants? What are the experiences, challenges and success stories?

The research group Changing Role of Europe of The Hague University of Applied Sciences designed the project 'Facing EU challenges at the local level'. The researchers investigate how twelve small to medium sized cities in the European Union deal with internal EU migrant workers - in EU jargon: mobile citizens. We want to actively share the lessons from our research with the involved cities and municipalities in the Netherlands, in order to improve their policy practices.

How do small and medium-sized cities deal with Eu mobile citizens? This project focuses on sharing success stories and improving policy areas. 