https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/events/consimium/

ConSIMium: a Council simulation experience

Step into the shoes of national decision-makers. Students from all over Europe take a crash course in European policy making as they negotiate new rules for the whole European Union.

On this page

• Experiencing the Council first-hand
• Meet the 2025 ConSIMium participants
• Get a glimpse of ConSIMium
• Media Gallery

Experiencing the Council first-hand

University students from all over Europe have the opportunity to take part in ConSIMium, a Council simulation experience.

Once a year, 27 national teams from all member states come to Brussels ready to play their roles as:

• EU leaders
• ambassadors
• national experts
• ministers
• journalists

Over two days, the 6 students from each team simulate two European Councils and a sequence of meetings at all levels of the Council of the EU on current affairs topics. For example, in 2024 the topics were artificial intelligence and cybersecurity resilience; while in 2025 they debated on EU defence industry and joint procurement and critical raw materials. 

Delegations take part in various preparatory meetings of national experts (working parties) and ambassadors (Coreper - Committee of Permanent Representatives) ahead of the simulation of a ministerial meeting, where they try and reach a compromise.

Meet the 2025 ConSIMium participants

ConSIMium was a great opportunity to fully experience the procedures and functions of the Council of the EU. While embodying the Lithuanian national expert on defence and security issues I had a wonderful chance to undergo process of negotiations, informal discussions with the colleagues from other EU countries and see how actual legislation processes are happening in the EU.

Ūla Jankauskaitė, Lithuania

Participating in ConSIMium 2025 was an incredible experience, offering a hands-on insight into the complex yet fascinating decision-making process of the Council of the EU. Collaborating with 26 other ministers, we navigated negotiations, built consensus, and worked toward solutions that reflected the principles of unity and compromise. 

Andreas Papadopoulos, Cyprus

Stepping into the shoes of diplomats, in the very place where important decisions shaping Europe are made, was a challenging yet rewarding experience and a gratifying opportunity.

Marine Auclair, France 

Participating in Consimium has been an amazing and electrifying learning experience that has broadened my horizons by the minute.

Otto Kanniainen, Finland

Consimium has been for me a truly unique opportunity to get a practical understanding of technical issues debated during meetings. Throughout the working parties meetings and COREPER, the high level or realism provided by the organisation made the experience even more enjoyable and valuable.(...) After this experience, I feel more confident regarding my negotiation skills and EU decision processes.

Clement Dillies, Estonia

Above all, I will remember ConSIMium 2025 as an inspiring experience of our generation´s shared European identity and willingness to shape Europe’s future. I am excited to stay in touch with the new friends I found over a common passion for international cooperation and EU-level politics, and am excited for what is about to come

Katharina Buchsbaum, Belgium

Get a glimpse of ConSIMium

How does it feel to step into the shoes of national representatives and take decisions for the entire EU? Hear it straight from the 2024 edition participants.

What is ConSIMium?

ConSIMium is a Council simulation experience in which 27 teams of students from all EU member states experience first-hand the negotiations between member states and the decision-making process at European level. The pilot edition of ConSIMium took place in Brussels on 2 and 3 February 2023.

The second edition took place on 8 and 9 April 2024.

The third edition took place on 20 and 21 February 2025.

ConSIMium is organised by the General Secretariat of the Council.

Photos and videos

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See also

• Educational resources: teach, learn, play
• Visit the Council with your school

Last review: 25 February 2025