How to apply

23. Visegrad Summer School – call for application

Where? - The Villa Decius Association, Krakow, Poland

When? - 29 June - 9 July 2025 (10 days)

Theme? - Future of Enlargement

How to apply? - https://forms.gle/Wpg3BW5tf9asxDqZA (those who log in to Gdrive system)

https://forms.gle/R72xyqR5ReMwbJn58 (those who prefer not to log in)

Recruitment starts on 1st March 2025 and will last until April 4!

The Visegrad Summer School is an educational program that provides an interdisciplinary learning platform for young Czech, Hungarian, Polish, and Slovak students and professionals, as well as their peers from other Central, Eastern, and Southern European countries.

The VSS program aims to widen perspectives and inspire through lectures and debates dedicated to global and regional political, economic, cultural, and social issues. The VSS program also seeks to address the current developments and the most pressing issues within the EU and its neighborhood. This year, special emphasis will be placed on the future of enlargement. The workshops run by qualified experts, the purpose of which will be to exchange views, gain knowledge, and consult the participants' own ideas, will contribute to the development of new optics, as well as the shaping of aspiring leaders of the V4 and the Central and Eastern Europe Region. The goal of our intensive laboratories, led by top professionals in the field, is to shape the attitudes and provide practical knowledge for our participants. 

The VSS also seeks to enhance long-term connections between its participants. Therefore, our program consists of a series of special events and extracurricular activities designed especially for this goal, such as an integration workshop, a multicultural garden party, study visits, cultural events, and recreational programs.

In the 23rd edition of VSS, 30 participants from the V4 countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia), Eastern Partnership, and Central Europe will take part. Priority will be given to those interested in international relations, cooperation, the future of enlargement, and Future Studies.

During 10 days of lectures, workshops, training, and study visits, participants will work (in groups and individually) on their short presentations, which will be presented on the final day.

Previous editions of the School were attended by almost 900 people from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brazil, France, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Moldova, Germany, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine, USA,  United Kingdom, Indonesia, Algeria, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria, India, Ghana, Montenegro, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Albania, Spain and Italy.

23. edition is supported by the International Visegrad Fund, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Malopolska Region, City of Krakow, and private sponsors like Grupa ZUE.

AIM of the VSS

The Visegrad Summer School has been carried out annually by the Villa Decius Association since 2002. Our idea is to create an alternative platform besides university for advanced studies in the Visegrad region as well as for other Central, East, and South European countries. The program is an opportunity for the participants to discuss current social, security, economic, political, and cultural issues. It is also a possibility to learn about each other and start international cooperation between the people and the countries in the region.

PROGRAMME of the VSS

The program of the 23. edition of the Visegrad Summer School includes lectures, debates, and workshops on current political, cultural, and social challenges in the regional, global, and European perspective led by outstanding experts from various fields of knowledge and public activities. Our focus will be the future of enlargement. Besides experts and intellectuals, we host Ambassadors, Ministers, representatives of the European Union, academics, politicians, businessmen, journalists, artists, representatives of national and local governments, as well as NGOs.

As part of the program, students are invited to a study visit in the Małopolska region and to attend artistic events in Kraków. The Multicultural session allows participants to explore their shared identity while gaining insight into the cultures of the Visegrad countries. Some debates, lectures, and meetings are open to the public, providing additional opportunities for integration. 

CERTIFICATION

At the end of the course, participants will be presented with a diploma of participation and recognition of learning, which will be signed by the President and the Director of the Villa Decius Association.

ELIGIBILITY to participate

Students, graduates, PhD researchers, young professionals, and leaders from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and other eligible countries.

Age:  min.18 

We are looking for active, open-minded, and creative people. The school's working language is English, so good communication skills in English are essential.

ELIGIBLE countries:

*Ukrainian citizens are exempt from paying the participation fee.

Students from non-eligible countries can apply, provided they cover the participation fee of 350 euros, as well as individual insurance and travel costs to/from/in Krakow.

PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS 

The organizers provide:

• educational program and materials
• special events: study visits, recreation offer
• full accommodation and board

Participants cover:

• travel costs to/from Krakow
• insurance
• registration fee of 150 Euro

CONTACT

Questions and remarks summerschool@villa.org.pl

or

Aleksandra Szymańska-Niekłań

Project manager aleksandra@villa.org.pl