Students met with alumni working in the European capital and gained insights into European institutions with support from the futurEU Initiative and Hertie School Alumni Affairs.
Sixteen students recently travelled to Brussels as part of a three-day trip organised by the student club futurEU Initiative in collaboration with the Hertie School Alumni Affairs Office and the Brussels Alumni Chapter. The goal was to give students first-hand exposure to European Union institutions, connect them with EU policymakers and Hertie alumni, and deepen their understanding of EU policymaking processes.
A cornerstone of the trip was the Brussels Alumni & Students Networking Event, which brought nearly 60 members of the Hertie School community together at the Goethe Institut Brussels. The evening provided a platform for cross-generational exchange, career inspiration, and lively policy discussion – all in the heart of European policymaking.
Speed networking sparks connection
The event opened with a student–alumni informal speed networking session. The visiting students engaged with 30 alumni in fast-paced conversations about career paths, first jobs after Hertie, and life in Brussels. The students also got a glimpse of careers in the European Commission, the private sector, and advocacy groups.
A timely panel on climate, strategy and sovereignty in the EU
Nena Grceva, Director of Alumni Affairs at the Hertie School, opened the official part of the evening.
“What started as a pilot last year has quickly become a new tradition – one that truly captures the Hertie spirit. It’s inspiring to see students and alumni come together in Brussels to exchange ideas, offer support, and build connections across generations. I’m especially grateful to the over 30 alumni who hosted students at their workplaces, joined the speed networking, and agreed to share their expertise on the panel. Their generosity is what makes this community so special,” she said, highlighting the strength of the community and the unique Hertiean spirit.
Isabel Stüker from the Goethe Institut greeted the participants and briefly highlighted programmes and initiatives offered by the institute that are relevant for alumni based in Brussels.
The evening continued with a stellar alumni panel on the topic of “Sustainability, Strategy & Sovereignty – Europe’s Climate Challenge”. The speakers were:
Alice Gallo (MPP 2019), Case Handler at DG Competition – State Aid in the Energy Sector
Daniel von Hugo (EMPA 2014), Head of Sector at CINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency
Phillipp Offenberg (MPP 2015), Head of Government and Executive Affairs Office Brussels, Siemens Energy
First-year Master of Public Policy (MPP) student Bálint Welf Zoeller moderated the discussion.
The panellists explored the EU’s role in the global climate landscape, the need for strategic coherence in the energy transition, and the delicate balance between ambition and implementation. The discussion underscored the complexity of driving a just and secure green transition – and the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in addressing the climate crisis.
A strong Hertie community in the European capital
The evening closed with informal networking over drinks and snacks, giving participants time to follow up on ideas from the panel, reconnect with old classmates, and expand their professional networks.
“The futurEU networking event brought together a vibrant mix of Hertie alumni active in the Brussels bubble and current students interested in the EU policy process and politics,” says MPP student Bálint Welf Zoeller. “The dynamic atmosphere enabled meaningful dialogue, providing valuable insights for our career choices. Overall, it was a great pleasure to connect and reconnect with the Hertie community in the heart of Europe's capital.”
The networking event in Brussels is part of the Hertie School’s wider efforts to connect students with alumni across sectors and regions. The trip was supported by the Hertie School Alumni Affairs Office, the Hertie Student Representation, the Jacques Delors Centre, the Centre for Sustainability, and the European university alliance CIVICA.
About CIVICA
CIVICA – The European University of Social Sciences brings together ten leading European higher education institutions in the social sciences. CIVICA aims to build an inter-university campus that provides joint and long-lasting opportunities in teaching, research and innovative learning, while enhancing academic excellence and facilitating civic engagement in Europe and beyond. CIVICA was selected by the European Commission as one of the pilot European Universities in 2019 and confirmed as a successful alliance in 2022 for its full roll-out under the Erasmus+ programme. Read more on civica.eu.
Contact
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Nena Grceva, Director Alumni Affairs