A Better Brussels | The Nine x Next Gen EU

The Brussels bubble is fast-paced, competitive, and often opaque. Especially for those navigating careers in policy, communications, public affairs or adjacent fields. In this conversation, we take a step back to explore what it really takes to thrive within it.

This panel brings together experienced professionals to unpack the role of mentorship, peer communities and informal networks in building resilient, sustainable careers in Brussels. Beyond job titles and institutions, we’ll look at the human side of professional life: how people enter the bubble, who supports them along the way, and how communities help counter precarity, competition and burnout.

The discussion will also spotlight the next generation of young professionals: their values, their expectations around leadership and inclusivity, and the new ways they are reshaping mentorship through collaboration, reverse mentorship and collective learning.

Expect an honest, experience-led conversation that goes beyond theory, offering concrete insights for those navigating Brussels today, and for those shaping the professional ecosystems of tomorrow.

The evening will conclude with practical takeaways for both young professionals and senior leaders, followed by an open Q&A with the audience.