EU and international affairs

Most of the decisions made at the European level have a direct or indirect influence on Berlin’s interests and affect almost all the administrative areas of the State. Therefore, a high level of European competency among the employees of the Berlin administration is an important requirement for the implementation of policy and law in the State of Berlin as part of the European Union. On 20 March 2018, the Senate therefore approved measures to strengthen European competency in the Berlin administration.

The measures already tried and tested include, for example, the programme for European administration exchange (eVA). The eVA is used regularly to post employees, including those of the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing, to the city administrations of other EU member states. The experience and personal contacts acquired here are incorporated into employees’ work. Language courses, in which language skills can be acquired or refreshed, ensure good understanding with foreign partners. In 2020, the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing is beginning a series of talks to extend the EU knowledge of its employees. Since 2005, the State of Berlin’s Liaison Office to the EU has initiated and organised the “Think Europe” series on European policy, for managers of the Berlin administration to attend in Brussels as continued professional development. The seminars impart current European topics, explain the role of Berlin’s liaison office and the legislative procedure at European level, and opens up possibilities for personal contacts with the EU institutions. The last “Think Europe” seminar for the Senate Department for Urban Development was held in 2017.