A week in Brussels: how European institutions operate to shape our future
This article is taken from: https://www.focuseurope.it/a-week-in-brussels-how-european-institutions-operate-to-shape-our-future/
Have you ever wanted to take part in EUAMI? From 13 to 17 July, 2026, a group of students from Italy, Spain, Poland and Bulgaria took part in the EUAMI project in Brussels. In this week, they visited several important European institutions and learned how major decisions are taken for improving and protecting the founding values of the EU and its community.
Author: Viktor Baldzhiev, student from Emiliyan Stanev Secondary School, in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria.
As a Bulgarian participant in this international project, I had incredible opportunities to meet with amazing people of my age, with who we shared common interests at the week we spent together. In addition to this we were tasked in teams of five to create a foreign affairs’ simulative meeting, as we represented several countries in the process.
Firstly, at the European Commission, our group discovered how European laws and policies are proposed. The Commission works to protect the interests of the EU and cooperates with member states on issues such as migration, the environment, and economic growth. This visit showed us how different institutions join forces to respond to shared challenges.
In addition to this the visit to the European Parliament gave me a clear vision of democratic-decision making process. I realized how MEPs work together to discuss and adopt laws, which are to be beneficial for everyone. Seeing the Parliament in person reminded me the importance of dialogue and cooperation when solving problems affects hundreds of millions.
One of the most impressive places we visited was the Migration Museum. There our group went through the history of migration in Europe, and Brussels particularly, and the reasons why people are leaving their home countries. The exhibitions displayed personal stories and explained how nowadays European cultural diversity was formed over the centuries.
Apart from that the Council of the European Union is the place where we saw another part of the decision-making process – reaching consensus among the twenty-seven governments. The heads of states meet there to discuss and agree on common policies. I was impressed by the importance of compromises and teamwork in reaching decisions that will reshape Europe.
If you ask me, the whole group was very excited to visit the heart of Europe and I strongly believe that we all returned with more developed point of view about the political appearance of the EU. The experience gave us all an easier approach in topics such as migration, European values, and international cooperation through real examples rather than textbooks.
In my view the EUAMI project was unforgettable and unique experience that inspired me a lot. Each location we visited increased my knowledge and explained me how the EU works for a better future. I brought back from Brussels a deeper understanding of European values, sharpened communication skills, and with greater interst in active citizenship.