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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.
The logo for 'ConSIMium' with the tagline 'A Council Simulation Experience' below it. The design features a colourful arrangement of interlocking cubes in various shades of blue, yellow, orange, green, and red, set against a gradient background transitioning from light yellow to white.

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, teams of six students simulate two European Council meetings  and a series of meetings at all levels of the Council of the EU on current affairs topics. For example, in 2025 the topics were the EU defence industry, joint procurement and critical raw materials, while in 2026 the teams discussed international trade.

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.

Read what participants say about ConSIMium

This was the first time I had ever been in a room where every member state of the EU was represented. The atmosphere was so interesting and so intense – it was a very realistic experience.

Clara Binderlehner (Austria)

Seeing all these young people from all over the EU gather for ConSIMium makes me realise it is not only me who believes in EU cooperation, and that it is worth fighting for.

Eva Parodi (Italy)

Before we started the simulation, we got to meet our Polish ambassador, who gave us some real-life examples and advice on how negotiations happen in the Council. This, combined with ConSIMium, gave me a very good overview of how the EU works.

Filip Szymański (Poland)

I got the chance to put theory into practice, and to see the real Council behind the scenes. A great opportunity to develop my negotiation and cooperation skills!

Tin Krstačić (Croatia)

ConSIMium is a great opportunity to learn about the EU, with excellent training materials.

Alexandros Kitsikoudis Alexoudis (Luxembourg)

ConSIMium gave us a look into the EU and day-to-day diplomacy, and allowed us to put into practice what we are learning at university.

Ema Kristina Šprljan (Malta)

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. ConSIMium is organised by the General Secretariat of the Council every year.

The fourth edition of ConSIMium took place on 5 and 6 February 2026 and involved around 200 participants.

Photos and videos

Participants of ConSIMium sitting at a large circular conference table in a modern meeting room, each with laptops, microphones and nameplates, beneath a ceiling decorated with a colourful geometric pattern and overlooking a floor with a matching multicoloured design.

A group of students around a desk in a modern conference room, intently discussing documents beside computer monitors and a nameplate labelled 'President'; in the background, a large screen shows a live view of a meeting taking place in a circular Council chamber.

Smartly dressed young men in suits walk together along a red carpet while a woman to their right walks slightly ahead holding a white sign that reads “Ireland”.

A group of students playing journalists stand behind blue barriers decorated with the EU flag, holding smartphones, notebooks, and recording devices towards a student playing an EU leader in the foreground.

A group of participants sit side by side at a conference table, each with microphones, documents and laptops in front of them

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Last review: 10 February 2026