Diplomatic Career: The Department of Law Launches a New Advanced Training Course

The Department of Law at the University of Macerata, recognized as a Department of Excellence, is launching the first edition of the Advanced Training Course in "Preparation for the Diplomatic Career Entrance Examination" for the 2026/2027 academic year. This postgraduate programme is designed for graduates who wish to prepare for the competitive examination for the position of Legation Secretary or develop skills applicable to careers in international organizations, European institutions, and other internationally oriented professional environments.

Applications are open until 30 September 2026.

"Preparing for a diplomatic career today requires a serious, structured, and interdisciplinary approach," says Claudia Cesari, Director of the Department of Law. "It is not enough to master individual disciplines; it is essential to understand the connections between law, economics, history, languages, and international relations in order to interpret the complexity of today's global landscape."

The programme was developed under the scientific direction of Gianluca Contaldi and Francesca Spigarelli and offers an integrated educational path combining legal, economic, historical, and political studies. Its aim is to prepare participants for the diplomatic entrance examination and, more broadly, for careers in international affairs.

The course awards 45 university credits (CFU) and includes 225 hours of teaching, delivered primarily through live online classes, with a number of in-person sessions held at the University of Macerata.

Classes will begin on 26 October 2026 and conclude in April 2027.

The curriculum includes:

• International Law
• European Union Law
• Political and International Economics
• History of International Relations
• Public and Private Law
• Public Accounting
• Consular Law
• Languages for International Relations

"With this programme," concludes Claudia Cesari, "the Department makes its academic expertise available to those who aspire to a career in international relations, providing a solid educational foundation and practical tools to approach the diplomatic examination with greater confidence and awareness."

Diplomatic Career Website
Call for Applications and Supporting Documents
Contacts: didattica.giurisprudenza@unimc.it

Youth Start-Up Challenge 2026: Applications Open for the European Competition for Young Entrepreneurs

Applications are now open for the Youth Start-Up Challenge 2026, a competition promoted by the European Commission that offers young people aged 18 to 25 the opportunity to present innovative business ideas and engage with Europe's innovation ecosystem.

Part of the European SME Week, the initiative is open to young people residing in EU Member States and countries associated with the Single Market Programme. Participants may apply individually or as part of a team with an entrepreneurial project demonstrating economic, social, or environmental impact.

To participate, applicants must submit:

• a two-minute presentation video in English;
• a business plan (maximum three pages), also in English.

Projects will be evaluated by an international jury based on:

• Innovation
• Sustainability
• Quality of the proposal
• Feasibility
• Ability to address Europe's key challenges

The three finalist teams will be invited to present their projects during the SME & Clusters Assembly 2026, which will take place in Dublin from 2 to 4 November 2026.

This major European event dedicated to SMEs, innovation, and entrepreneurship policies will also provide finalists with outstanding networking opportunities involving entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, and representatives of European institutions.

Application deadline:20 September 2026

The competition represents an excellent opportunity for university students, graduating students, recent graduates, and aspiring young entrepreneurs interested in developing entrepreneurial skills, promoting innovative ideas, and gaining visibility at European level.

For more information about the competition and application procedures, please consult the call published by the Italian Network of European Documentation Centres and the documentation available on the European Commission website.

Apply here

Public Call – Research Grants for Young Talents – Marche Region

The Marche Region has published the public call "Marche for Young People – Research Grants for Young Talents", funded under the PR Marche ESF+ 2021–2027 – Priority 1 Employment.

The initiative is intended for unemployed graduates aged 18 to 35 who reside in the Marche Region, to facilitate their entry into the labour market through research placements hosted by companies, professional firms, and associations operating within the region.

Key Information

• Target applicants: unemployed graduates residing in the Marche Region, aged between 18 and 35.
• Grant duration: 12 months.
• Financial support:€12,000 in total (€1,000 per month).
• Application period (first 2026 window): from 3 July to 3 August 2026, exclusively through the SIFORM2 platform.

View the full Call for Applications

Coop Next New Generation: Applications Open for the Talent Programme for Young Graduates

Coop, one of Italy's leading retail groups, has launched applications for Coop Next New Generation, a talent programme designed for recent graduates interested in pursuing a managerial career within Italy's consumer cooperatives.

The programme offers:

• a permanent employment contract from day one;
• a structured professional development programme designed to train the future managers of the cooperative retail sector.

Participants will benefit from:

• company-funded classroom training;
• hands-on experience within Coop organisations;
• specialised modules on retail marketing, innovation, Big Data, Design Thinking, and Artificial Intelligence;
• an international retail study tour to explore the experiences of European cooperative organisations.

Career opportunities are available in several business areas, including:

• Marketing
• Communication and Member Relations
• Sales Network and Business Development
• Supply Chain
• Human Resources
• Sustainability and Innovation
• Administration, Finance and Control
• IT and Organisation

The programme is open to candidates holding a Master's degree or single-cycle Master's degree, willing to relocate and motivated to develop managerial skills within an organisation that values innovation, sustainability, and people.

Available locations include:

• Florence
• Vignale Riotorto (LI)
• Santa Fiora (GR)
• Bologna
• Milan
• Vercelli
• Arenzano (GE)

For further information and to apply, visit:

https://it.mygigroup.com/members/jobs/seek/viewoffer/1320245?board=uniprof

Legal Internship at the State Attorney's Office of L'Aquila: An Opportunity for Recent Law Graduates and Trainee Lawyers

The District State Attorney's Office of L'Aquila has opened applications for its 2026 legal internship and traineeship programme, offering an important training opportunity for recent Law graduates and trainee lawyers, both from the District of the Court of Appeal of L'Aquila and from other regions.

The internship at the State Attorney's Office is fully equivalent to:

• legal traineeships carried out in private law firms;
• judicial internships provided for under Article 73 of Decree-Law No. 69/2013.

Furthermore, completion of the internship constitutes a preferential qualification in competitive examinations for admission to the career of State Attorney (Procuratore dello Stato).

Applications must be submitted by email to:aquila@avvocaturastato.it.

For further information, applicants may consult the official website of the State Attorney's Office or contact: caterina.giangiuliani@avvocaturastato.it.