Success Story: Advancing EU Neighbourhood Expertise – Vitalii SUPRUN’s Natolin Experience

We are delighted to share the remarkable journey of Vitalii SUPRUN who joined the Natolin Fellowship Programme through the EU4Youth initiative.  

His experience at the College of Europe in Natolin highlights the transformative power of academic excellence, mentorship, and hands-on engagement with European policymaking. 

Through the EU4Youth Fellowship, Vitalii was fully immersed in a dynamic research and mentoring environment, where he refined the focus of his PhD research and deepened his expertise in the European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy. The programme provided him with a unique opportunity to strengthen his academic profile while gaining practical insights into the EU’s external action, particularly in relation to Ukraine and the Eastern Partnership region. 

As part of the Fellowship Programme, Vitalii completed an internship at the European Neighbourhood Char at the College of Europe in Natolin. In this role, he conducted in-depth research, offered academic support, contributed to policy-oriented publications, and assisted in organising events and ongoing initiatives related to the ENP. Working closely with professors, visiting scholars, and policy stakeholders, he actively engaged in discussions on the EU’s foreign policy and neighbourhood strategy.

Reflecting on his experience, Vitalii emphasised the value of direct involvement in high-level research and policy debates:
“A major highlight of my internship was the opportunity to engage directly in cutting-edge research and policy discussions related to the EU’s neighbourhood strategies. This experience significantly strengthened my analytical thinking, research methodology, intercultural communication, and project coordination skills in an academic and diplomatic setting,” he shared.

Vitalii’s journey at the College of Europe in Natolin stands as a testament to how targeted fellowship programmes can empower young researchers, foster professional growth, and contribute to a deeper understanding of the European Union’s role in its neighbourhood.

Read the full article on the EU Neighbours East website. 

The Natolin Fellowship Programme was carried out thanks to the financial support of the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania as part of and in the framework of the project EU4YOUTH – Phase III Youth Employment, and Entrepreneurship programme Scholarship Scheme for Eastern Partners at the College of Europe in Natolin.