The "Greening Europe: Toolkit for the European Green Activist" seminar offers an overview of the different political institutions at EU level, facilitates an understanding of current key-policy issues on the European agenda, and an insight into European Green politics. The seminar benefited from the input of prominent politicians, as well as that of green-minded people working for EU institutions and of experts working for independent NGOs, trade unions, etc.

The first day of the seminar introduced the participants to the different EU institutions, their roles and competences, and the main decision making procedures at EU level. This was done in different formats, varying from an introductory talk on EU decision making to an interactive game in which participants could test their knowledge of different EU institutions. This first day also included a visit to the European Parliament and a guided Lobby Tour through the European quarter of Brussels, which was organised by the Corporate Europe Observatory, a NGO monitoring the transparency of the Brussels apparatus. 

The second day of the seminar was policy oriented, with introductions to the CAP reform debate and economic policy. The participants took up the role of a MEP in a lively simulation game about the CAP debate. Afterwards, Greens/EFA MEP and EGP Co-Spokesperson Philippe Lamberts discussed the Green positions on the eurocrisis, and GEF Co-President Pierre Jonckheer encouraged the participants to further reflect on the future of the European integration process. The second day ended with a visit to the European Green Party and the Federation of Young European Greens offices.

During the third and last day of the seminar, the participants were introduced to the ways in which EU citizens can influence EU decision making. The citizens' right to submit a petition to the European Parliament and the European Citizens' Initiative were highlighted in particular. Moreover, the participants were challenged to come up with new, creative ideas for actions aimed at influencing European policies that are relevant for national issues.

For GEF this has been a very successful edition of the Greening Europe seminar, which proved once again the interest for more transnational events dealing with how the EU functions and what the Greens are focusing on at EU level.

A more extensive report on the event can be downloaded below.