This initiative provided Mobility Scheme participants with an interactive experience and concrete insight into EUNIC’s collaborative work with EU institutions and its role in fostering international cultural relations.

The visit brought together participants from eight EUNIC member organisations, including the Swedish Institute, the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, DutchCulture, British Council Ukraine and British Council Brussels, the EUNIC Egypt cluster, the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malta and Arts Council Malta.

The visit kicked off on Tuesday, 4 March 2025, at the EUNIC office. The afternoon began with a warm welcome over lunch, followed by an insightful session outlining the strategic developments and opportunities within the wider EUNIC network.

Participants then joined breakout sessions led by members of the EUNIC team, exploring topics such as EUNIC clusters and the Cluster Fund, European Spaces of Culture, and the communications framework supporting EUNIC's operations.

The day concluded with a session on the ecology of European cultural networks. Maya Weisinger, Head of Communication and Community Development at Culture Action Europe, shared her expertise, setting the stage for a dynamic exchange of ideas.

On Wednesday, 5 March, the focus shifted to EUNIC’s collaboration with EU institutions. At the Embassy of Spain in Brussels, participants were welcomed to sessions led by Aisling de Lacy, Cultural Attaché of Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU, and Monica Urian from the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) to explore the EU’s commitment to international cultural relations.

Put on your European hat... We cannot afford not to work for a stronger Europe in today’s world.

Monica Urian, European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture.

The programme also included a participant-led session which had colleagues share valuable insights into their work. Isabella Bommarito presented the European-Egyptian Cultural Programme, Yulia Romanova discussed the British Council's marketing support for arts and culture activities in Europe, and Doireann O’Brien shared insights from the cultural unit of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

We had the opportunity to share our practices and learn from each other. It is so impressive to see how different institutions work and implement their projects. This experience inspires you to foster new ideas and creativity in cultural policies of our own.

Isabella Bommarito, Project Manager for the European Egyptian Cultural Programme, EUNIC Egypt.

The afternoon included a guided tour of the Regeneration exhibition, at the Justus Lipsius and Europa buildings, which was organised under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The tour highlighted EUNIC members' contributions to cultural programmes within the EU’s rotating presidency framework.

To conclude the visit, participants had time to engage in individual meetings and explore Brussels’ rich cultural scene, before regrouping for a final goodbye. A big thank you from the EUNIC team to all participants who joined the mobility scheme visit in Brussels!

The EUNIC team graciously shared their expertise, facilitated valuable connections, and provided a glimpse into the vibrant, multicultural essence of Brussels. Engaging with colleagues from cultural institutions across the network was truly inspiring!

Yulia Romanova, Regional Head of Marketing, Europe, British Council.