The Delegation of the European Union to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has mobilised the College of Europe to organise an advanced training programme on EU-Jordan relations as well as EU foreign policy addressing diplomats and civil servants. The project entitled “Strengthen the Capacity of Jordanian Public Administrations for Enhanced EU-Jordan Relations” is funded by the EU under the SHARAKA programme and contributes to the advancement of EU-Jordan cooperation initiatives.
The programme’s overall aim is establishing a deeper understanding of EU-Jordan relations, enabling meaningful engagement between Jordanian and EU officials, and fostering participants’ skills. Designed to deepen knowledge, encouraging exchange, and providing valuable networking opportunities, the programme not only constitutes an enriching experience for its participants but also allows for building sustainable connections. Thereby, a special focus on diversity and interactivity reflects the variety of backgrounds represented among the target group.
A total of three training editions are planned to take place in Amman and at the premises of the College of Europe in Belgium, with the first one implemented in autumn 2025, and the second one scheduled for autumn 2026. Each edition has a duration of two weeks and covers highly interactive sessions on diverse issues, including EU external action, donor coordination, and policy implementation.
Participants of the first training edition shared the following reflections on their training experience and the overall impact of the programme on their professional development:
"The programme gave me a clear understanding of how EU institutions work, their decision-making processes, and priorities in external action, including development cooperation, humanitarian aid, trade, and climate policy. Learning how the European Commission, European Parliament, and DG MENA operate has strengthened my ability to align Jordan’s national priorities with EU donor strategies, navigate funding instruments, and support sustainable development projects. The simulations, and study visits enhanced my skills and helped me contribute more effectively to international cooperation" Raghad Al - Shakanbeh, Senior International Cooperation Liaison Officer, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. | 
|
"As a Jordanian who has directly benefited from European academic and cultural programs, I have personally witnessed how knowledge exchange serves as a living bridge between the European Union and Jordan. I believe that every student or professional who takes part in such exchanges becomes an informal ambassador of understanding. By investing in knowledge-sharing programs, both the EU and Jordan invest in the next generation of bridge-builders - people who can translate shared values into tangible cooperation. Ultimately, strengthening EU-Jordan relations through knowledge exchange is not just about academic mobility; it’s about nurturing a common vision for a more educated, interconnected, and peaceful Mediterranean region" Yarub Alhusseini, Diplomat, MoFAE. |  |
| “This programme was an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of the EU political system and EU-Jordan partnerships, while strengthening my ability to navigate complex governance and strategic decision-making, and equipping me with practical skills in policy development and stakeholder engagement” Amer Maaitah, Policy Analyst - Political Affairs Directorate, Office of His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, The Royal Hashemite Court. |  |
| “Participating in this programme provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the EU’s institutional structure, decision-making processes, external action priorities and security frameworks, particularly in relation to EU-Jordan cooperation. The negotiation simulations and high-level exchanges in Brussels and Bruges, strengthened my diplomatic communication, negotiation and engagement skills, which are directly relevant to my work in managing bilateral and multilateral partnerships. The experience has directly enhanced my ability to navigate EU frameworks and to position Jordan’s priorities more effectively within EU’s cooperation mechanisms” Sereen Toughoz, International Cooperation Liaison Officer, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. |  |
| "A valuable exchange of knowledge, perspectives , and practical tools that strengthened both strategic and real-world application. A well-designed program that enriched my skills and reinforced institutional collaborations" Sarah Fanous, Investment & Entrepreneurship Director, Ministry of Digital Economy & Entrepreneurship. |  |
Reflecting the strong strategic EU-Jordan relations focused on shared values and mutual goals, the training programme follows the key priorities set out in the strategic partnership between the EU and Jordan. The overall objective of strengthening EU-Jordan cooperation and bilateral relations by enhancing the capacity of related public administration in Jordan is particularly aligned with the priorities related to good governance and support to human development, contributing to fostering Jordan’s social, economic, and political development.
To be more precise, the EU-Jordan cooperation is guided by the 2022 EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities and the EU assistance is funded mainly through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). A new Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership was launched in January 2025, aligning with the New Pact for the Mediterranean and backed by €3 billion in EU funding. It covers five key areas:
The EU SHARAKA programme, launched in 2023, supports Jordanian institutions with capacity building and technical assistance to public institutions operating in all areas relevant to the Partnership Priorities, mainly through twinning modalities. The programme aims to enable the implementation of the EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities.
The first edition of the programme took place in October and November 2025 and brought together 18 participants from a variety of backgrounds.
Among the Jordanian diplomats and civil servants were representatives from the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates; the Royal Hashemite Court; the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship; the Ministry of Education; as well as the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply.
From 13 to 14 October 2025, participants gathered in Amman for a high-level kick-off of the first training edition, followed by core training activities at the College of Europe in Bruges from 27 October to 5 November 2025. Over this two-week period, participants took part in a comprehensive curriculum covering EU external action, EU–Jordan relations, donor coordination, and policy implementation. In addition to thematic training modules and skills workshops, study visits to relevant EU institutions and bodies in Brussels marked one of the highlights of the training. Networking events with key stakeholders, as well as social and cultural activities, further enriched the learning experience and strengthened professional ties.
Running until 2027 the initiative foresees a total of three training editions, reaching up to 60 Jordanian civil servants and diplomats. Following the successful first implementation, the second edition is already in planning for autumn 2026.
Want to hear what participants and stakeholders of the Project have to say? Have a look at our videos and Flickr Album.
Participants of the first training edition describe their expectations ahead of the initial training programme:
Social media pages of the Executive Education, Training and Projects Office (TPO): LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram or Flickr!
Social media pages of the Partners and Stakeholders
Do not hesitate to contact us for any inquiry: info.training-projects@coleurope.eu
The Natolin Second Semester Study Trips of the academic year 2025-26 of the Victoria Amelina promotion have already completed. Natolin students travelled to three regions to examine how security...