The Council simulation experience – ConSIMium 2026 – is approaching again. For the third consecutive year, students from the Faculty of Philosophy, Sofia University will actively participate in ConSIMium 2026 with trainings and on-site decision-making negotiations in European institutions.
On February 5-7, 2026, over 160 students will meet in the official building of the Council of the EU in Brussels to take part in ConSIMium – a Council simulation experience. Over two days, teams of six students from 27 EU countries will step into the shoes of national representatives and role play negotiations between the EU member states at four different levels.
Over 160 students will meet in Brussels
The purpose
ConSIMium is a hands-on experience of decision-making in the Council of the European Union and the European Council. The simulation allows students to understand the role of the member states in decision-making, the role of the Council’s Presidency, the value of deciding together and the importance of reaching a compromise. The scenario is based on real European legislation and countries’ negotiating positions. The simulation takes place in the Council buildings’ meeting rooms where ministers and EU leaders meet
The structure
The participants will take one of the following roles: head of state or government, minister, ambassador (permanent representative to the EU), national expert or journalist. In each meeting, representatives of the Presidency, the Council Legal Service, policy departments, and the European Commission will play their real-life roles alongside the students.
The selection
The participating students are selected at national level, in most cases by conferences of rectors, and in a few countries by other national-level academic entities. To ensure equal access of participants, the organiser -the General Secretariat of the Council – covers the travel and accommodation costs
Contacts: Assoc. Prof. Kaloyan Simeonov, PhD, DSc, Vice Dean of Faculty of Philosophy; kdsimeonov@phls.uni-sofia.bg; Assist.Prof. Denitsa Hinkova: dihinkova@phls.uni-sofia.bg
For more information: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/events/consimium/.