Raquel Resendes, EU Public Affairs trainer and mentor in Brussels
Sharing EU Public Affairs skills

Trying to find your way in EU Public Affairs?
I'm here to share what I've learned in 14 years navigating the EU bubble.

Through training and mentoring, I help young professionals in EU Public Affairs strengthen their understanding of the EU public affairs environment, gain clarity in their role and move towards their next career step with confidence and direction.

My Approach

Your onboarding to EU Public Affairs

For young professionals in EU Public Affairs, understanding the institutions is only one part of the job. The real challenge is learning how to navigate a demanding environment, grow in confidence and build your place without staying stuck in doubt. Learning by doing shouldn't mean doing it alone.

This is why I offer the onboarding to EU Public Affairs every young professional deserves. In-person trainings delivered in a limited group setting and individual mentoring for personalised, one-to-one support.

Grounded in hands-on public affairs experience, both formats combine institutional knowledge, practical application, soft skills and strategic insights to support participants in their day-to-day work and long-term career development.

Raquel Resendes
01

Who it's for

You're starting out in EU public affairs and want stronger foundations.
You're already in the Brussels policy world and ready for your next role.
You want to understand how it really works, beyond theory.
You want to communicate clearly, navigate stakeholders, and build credibility.
02

What you'll take away

A working knowledge of the EU institutions, the EU legislative procedures and how decisions are taken in practice.
Practical tools for stakeholder meetings, negotiations, and everyday EU public affairs work.
The confidence to speak up in meetings, make faster, sharper calls in your role, and grow your own professional network.
Trainings

Three modules, one coherent pathway

The training offer is structured around three distinct modules, each addressing a core dimension of EU Public Affairs, brought to life through real-world insights and interactive role-play exercises. They may be followed independently or as a coherent learning pathway, depending on participants' needs, level of experience and professional objectives.

3.5 hours per module In-person, EU quarter 8–12 participants Delivered in English
Onboarding to EU Public Affairs
1 Back to the basics
2 The EU legislative procedures
3 Stakeholder engagement

Back to the basics

The Treaties and the EU institutions.
The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council: role, composition & ways of working.
An introduction to the EU ordinary legislative procedure (OLP).
Soft skills: meeting with officials, networking and gathering information.

The EU legislative procedures

The EU ordinary legislative procedure (OLP), step by step.
The special procedures.
The political dynamics that influence the EU decision-making.
Soft skills: knowing who, when and how to engage with officials during the decision-making procedure.

Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder mapping: understanding interests and influence.
Building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders over time.
The EU Transparency Register.
Soft skills: organising and leading effective stakeholder meetings, building a network and handling difficult questions.
Mentoring

Individual mentoring

Individual mentoring is available both as a complement to the training offer and as a standalone format for those who would benefit from more personalised support, drawing on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques to improve communication and foster effective interactions, alongside my professional experience.

It provides a dedicated space for tailored guidance grounded in practical experience, and an external perspective on topics such as:

Navigating relationships with managers and colleagues,
Preparing for a promotion, transition, or new challenge,
Approaching sensitive or difficult conversations,
Finding clarity in complex, corporate environments,
Positioning yourself for your next career step.
Raquel Resendes
Duration
60 minutes
Format
Online session
Languages
EN · FR · PT
Fees

Choose what works for you

The three training modules may be attended individually or as part of a broader learning pathway.

For private individuals

Training modules & mentoring

€650
single module pp
(VAT incl.)
€1,200
two modules pp
(€600 per module)
(VAT incl.)
€1,650
three modules pp
(€550 per module)
(VAT incl.)
€180
individual mentoring session
(VAT incl.)
For organisations

Bring this offer to your team

Let's discuss your organisation's needs.

Contact me
About

Sixteen years in Brussels, one guiding thread

Raquel Resendes

I grew up on the beautiful islands of the Azores, right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. In 2010, I packed my bags to Brussels for what was meant to be a three-month internship at the European Parliament, in an MEP's office. Like many Brussels stories, it did not stop there. That first experience became the starting point of a professional path that has now kept me in Brussels for sixteen years.

I began my career working on fisheries and agriculture policy before moving into health policy, which quickly became the area I fell in love with.

Since then, I've worked across associations, industry, and consultancy, advocating for patients and innovation at European level and learning to navigate different institutional and corporate worlds along the way. Translating complex, technical issues into clear, actionable outcomes for board members, policymakers, and teams from different backgrounds has taught me how to listen closely, ask the right questions, and help others find clarity, confidence, and direction.

Today, I bring all of that experience into professional training and individual mentoring for early-career professionals in EU Public Affairs.

If you are at a turning point in your career, or simply looking for a clearer sense of direction, I hope to offer both practical guidance and an open, generous perspective shaped by experience and a genuine wish to see you thrive.

Raquel Resendes

Studies

BA, European Studies & International Relations
Universidade dos Açores
MA, Comparative Politics
ICS, Universidade de Lisboa
LL.M., Intellectual Property Rights & ICT Law
KU Leuven
Testimonials

What It Means to Work Together

"

Raquel is one of those colleagues who makes working together genuinely enjoyable. She brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, pragmatism and empathy, and has an excellent ability to build trust and get people moving in the same direction. I always valued her judgement, her collaborative approach and above all the fact that she was someone I could truly rely on.

Global Public Affairs Director
"

I had the great pleasure of working with Raquel in corporate public affairs and she remains one of the most genuinely supportive colleagues I've met and worked alongside of during my 15+ years in Brussels. She's sharp and deeply knowledgeable, and always generous in sharing her knowledge with others. Professional and reliable, but also warm and approachable, she's exactly the type of person you want in your corner.

Stakeholder Relations Manager
"

Raquel combines deep EU public affairs expertise with a genuinely engaging and approachable style. She is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and a real pleasure to work with.

Head of Life Sciences Advocacy
Raquel Resendes
Contact

Let's talk

If you would like to learn more about the trainings or individual mentoring, I would be very happy to hear from you.

Whether you have a question, would like to discuss a training need, or simply want to explore which format may be most relevant for your professional development, please feel free to get in touch.

You can contact me by email or through LinkedIn.

raquel@raquelresendes.eu Raquel Resendes