This innovative diversity and inclusion programme targets:
In its introductory phase, InclusivEU has already awarded a scholarship to a student at the College, with prospects for the beneficiary to embark on two subsequent paid internships with the Founding Sponsors. The chosen student emerged from a competitive pool of 45 initial applicants.
InclusivEU aspires to advance diversity within the College of Europe, the EU institutions, and the expansive European framework. This includes promoting representation based on factors like ability, class, culture, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background.
Federica Mogherini, the Rector of the College, remarked during the initiative’s launch, “Although the EU boasts growing diversity, the European institutions that mould our continent’s future don’t quite mirror this. As the College of Europe paves the way for budding careers in EU affairs, it is pivotal that we play a proactive role in bridging this disparity. Our commitment lies in catalysing the transformation of EU affairs into a genuinely diverse and inclusive domain. Our collaboration with dedicated partners echoes our mutual aim of enhancing diversity within the EU institutional sphere.”
Although initiated by the trio of BCW, Dentons Global Advisors, and FTI Consulting, InclusivEU anticipates participation from a broader spectrum of agencies and organizations. The goal is to escalate the initiative's outreach by enlisting more sponsors, thereby bolstering the scholarship provisions and reaching out to a more extensive student demographic in the future.
Hans Hack of FTI Consulting emphasized the significance of this endeavour: “While this is merely the onset, we recognise the vastness of the challenge ahead. But EU public affairs agencies must be integral to the dialogue and collaboratively address the issue.”
Kieran O’Keeffe from Dentons Global Advisors expressed, “Often, the emphasis within the EU Bubble revolves around representing the 27 member states, sidelining the vital aspect of mirroring the diverse societies within these states.”
Andrew Cecil of BCW Brussels stated, “Being a part of the vast consultant community in Brussels, we hold a duty to actively contribute. Our goal is to expand this initiative, but this requires collaboration. The more allies we have, the more scholarships we can present in the coming years.”
The forthcoming scholarship application window for the 2024/2025 academic year will open on 12 October 2023 and conclude on 16 January 2024.
