Emilia Otte, from DOGEWO21, joined the Early Careers Programme to deepen her understanding of Europe’s housing sector and learn how EU institutions influence social housing. During her time in Brussels, she explored key institutions, gained new insights and discovered how European cooperation shapes daily work in the sector.
What motivated you to join the Early Careers Programme in Brussels?
“I decided to join the Early Careers Programme because I saw it as a great opportunity to gain deeper insights into the housing market in Europe, particularly focusing on social housing in Brussels. Additionally, it provided a chance to learn the fundamentals of the EU and its institutions, which is a valuable experience for anyone interested in European affairs.“
What was the highlight of your experience?
“The highlight of the programme for me was visiting the European Council and taking part in the city tour of Brussels. It’s not every day that you get to step inside the premises of EU institutions. The city tour also gave me the chance to experience Brussels from a different perspective, expanding my knowledge with historical insights I hadn’t known before.”
What did you learn about how the EU works that you didn’t know before?
“I was surprised to learn that the presidency of the EU Council rotates every six months among the member states. This dynamic approach is a key part of how the EU functions. I hadn’t realised how much of an impact this has on shaping EU policies.”
How did visiting the institutions and meeting professionals here change your perspective on Europe or your career path?
“The visits to the institutions and the insightful lectures from professionals provided me with a completely new perspective on both the EU and the international housing market. While there are differences, the challenges facing housing markets are similar, and sharing knowledge could help improve situations across Europe. I didn’t realise before how central the EU is in these issues. It’s really shaped my understanding of Europe’s role on the global stage.”
What’s one thing you’ll take away from this programme, personally or professionally?
“Personally, I wouldn’t change anything about the programme. I find it to be very well-organised, and it provides a solid introduction to the topic. The visits to the institutions are fascinating, and the presentations offer a lot of valuable knowledge. Overall, it’s a well-rounded programme that I would highly recommend.”
Finally, what would you say to future participants who are thinking about joining the programme?
“I would tell future participants that this programme is absolutely worth joining. You’ll learn a great deal about topics you might not have considered before. Don’t let language barriers stop you. Even with basic knowledge, you can understand a lot. It’s a great chance to improve your language skills as well.”
About the Early Careers Programme
Eurhonet’s Early Careers Programme is a 3-day annual training held in Brussels for trainees and young professionals. It offers workshops, seminars and study visits, including to the European Parliament and the European Council, to build skills, understand EU policymaking and explore the European housing landscape.
By bringing together a small group from different member organisations, the programme strengthens knowledge exchange, supports network building and helps attract new talent to the public and social housing sector.
