The first round of the Leadership Development Programme was successfully implemented as from September 2006 to April 2007. Twenty-nine participants from the nine South-eastern European countries, as well as from Austria, Denmark, Germany and the United States, took part in it.

The first activity of the Programme – the Summer Academy – was hosted at the Neuhardenberg castle and in Berlin in September 2006. The participants had the opportunity to learn on and discuss a series of topics which concerned the EU and its role in the world and in South-eastern Europe, as well as the transatlantic relations and the role of other organisations in the region. The speakers were prominent experts in their respective fields and came from the EU, the US and from the region. The Academy hosted, amongst other, a speech by and an open discussion with Carl Bildt. Several practical sessions developing research and negotiation skills were also organised. The Academy included a cultural programme with excursions in Berlin and Potsdam, as well as a cinema evening featuring a documentary by an author from the region.

Back in their home countries the participants worked in small cross-border groups to implement their joint activities – seminars and conferences – which drew sizeable audiences and were reported on by the local media.

The second event of the Programme – a three-day Workshop – was organised in Brussels and Bruges. It was designed to offer a closer view of the Institutions based in Brussels and an opportunity to meet some of the EU/NATO officials and discuss with them the issues that concern the region and its future.