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Introduction to the Florence Competition Autumn School

The Florence Competition Autumn School is an advanced residential course focusing on recent developments in competition policy across Europe, with an emphasis on comparative issues from other major jurisdictions. With over 15 years of experience in organising residential and online executive courses on competition law and economics, as well as sector regulation, the Centre for a Digital Society stands at the forefront of delivering valuable insights and knowledge in this field.

Course Overview

Now in its sixth edition, this course follows an interdisciplinary approach, featuring renowned academics, practitioners, and representatives from competition agencies who are experts in both law and economics. The course is specifically designed for mid-career professionals, including in-house counsels, lawyers, economists, competition authority officials, academics, advocacy officers, and specialised journalists.

Target Audience

The Autumn School caters to mid-career professionals seeking to deepen their expertise and practical skills in the dynamic fields of competition law and economics. Participants will have the unique opportunity to tap into the vast knowledge and academic excellence of distinguished instructors, empowering them to stay at the forefront of their respective industries. The course is particularly beneficial for:

• Officials from National Competition Authorities, government agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Associates and partners in law firms specializing in competition law.
• In-house counsels managing competition compliance matters.
• Economic consultants specialising in industrial economics.
• Competition scholars, including doctoral researchers, post-docs, and professors.
• Advocacy officers focused on competition policy and regulatory affairs.
• Specialised journalists reporting for legal information providers.

Learning Outcomes

For professionals seeking to expand their international network of connections within the competitive policy landscape, the 'residential track' of the Autumn School provides an ideal setting amidst the captivating beauty of Florence. Participants can expect to:

• Enhance their comprehension of the framework and essence of EU competition regulations.
• Refine their analytical skills to effectively navigate competition law cases and overcome workplace challenges.
• Foster a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of competitive dynamics and pertinent issues, enriching their contributions to their organisation.
• Stay abreast of the most recent enforcement cases, regulatory advancements, and legislative updates.
• Exchange insights and expertise with fellow participants from diverse sectors and industries.
• Expand their professional network with like-minded individuals who share similar interests and possess complementary expertise.

Course Structure and Fees

The course provides participants with access to a variety of online resources, including background readings, videos, and lecture recordings. It also includes lunches and refreshments throughout the duration of the programme, as well as the opportunity to attend the CDS Autumn Conference.

• Super early bird fee: €750 (Deadline for super early bird: 30 April 2026)
• Early bird fee: €1200 (Deadline for early bird: 31 July 2025)
• Regular fee: €1500
• National Regulatory Authorities, National Competition Authorities, Full-time academics, as well as partners and donors of the Centre for a Digital Society: €1200
• Post-graduate students: €1000
• Group enrolment discounted fee – applicable to groups of three or more participants from the same institution: €1000

Cancellation Policy and Refunds

Early Bird and Super Early Bird registration fees are non-refundable for all course formats. For more information, please refer to the CDS cancellation policy guidelines.

Scholarships

The EUI Widening Europe Programme offers up to 4 scholarships to support the participation of selected applicants to the Florence Competition Autumn School. Each scholarship will provide €1000 to help cover travel expenses and accommodation in Florence for the selected participants. The grant amount is contingent on attendance at the Autumn School and its final Conference.

Eligibility Conditions

Applicants must be nationals of one of the countries targeted by the Widening Europe programme:

• Inside the European Union: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
• Outside the European Union: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Applicants must be affiliated with an academic institution based in a country targeted by the Widening Europe programme.

Certificates and Continuing Professional Development

At the end of the course, participants who have regularly attended the Autumn School classes will receive a 'Certificate of Participation'. The certificates are granted by the European University Institute, a leading post-graduate research centre founded in 1972 by the Member States of the European Union. The course's final certificate can be recognised for training credits by legal professional bodies in Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Italy, and Ireland, depending on their individual accreditation processes.