The future of the European project seems uncertain due to conflicting roles played by national governments, the European Union and other transnational bodies. All scenarios, however, have one important feature in common: the increasing interconnectedness of national administrations, both directly across member states and indirectly through numerous transnational institutions, agencies and organisations all over Europe.

Curiously, it is this very aspect of European integration that is often overlooked by existing executive education programmes in public management and public policy: the growing extent and intensity of cross-border ties between national administrations and branches of government in several member states. National administrations need a better understanding of how to move forward within the European multi‐level governance architecture. This requires sensitivity towards the models and cultures of different national public administrations in Europe.

If the European project is to grow horizontally rather than hierarchically in terms of governance, public administrations and agencies, member states will increasingly be called upon to create effective cross-border ties at policy and operational levels.

In response to this need, the European CAPITALS programme will provide:

• an insider’s view on the operations of government in Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and other European countries,
• analyses of current policy issues relevant to governments across Europe,
• first‐hand insights as well as training and peer‐learning opportunities with regard to best practices in leadership and management in European administrations.