The Delegation Liaison Officer (DLO) Pilot
Since 2023, the EU’s European External Action Services (EEAS) and EUDPN ASBL have jointly overseen the deployment of volunteer EU Delegation Liaison Officers (DLOs) within the framework of a pilot project.
EU DLOs are spouses or partners in the EU Delegations who act as a focal point to welcome, inform and support expat spouses, partners and family members in the Delegations before and during the posting. The DLOs help EU expat families prepare for, settle into and overcome the unique challenges of life that come which each EU Delegation. There were initially 5 DLOs back in 2023 and are currently 17 DLOs from across the globe, representing more than 10% of the EU Delegations (family posts) with more to be expected. Our delegation families are already reaping the rewards of the assistance offered by our DLOs.
Want to make a difference for the spouses, partners and families in your EU Delegation? Get in touch with us now to join our pioneering DLO pilot! All partners and spouses of expat Delegation staff are welcome! Contact us at DLO@EUDPN.org
DLO Success
Stories
The presence of DLOs is alreday proving to be crucial to the success of a posting. The added value and support provided by our DLOs to spouses, partners and family members is strongly contributing to an enhanced well-being for all and a successful performance and posting by the staff member. Across the EU Delegation’s network, DLOs have taken proactive steps to support families, offering informal guidance and practical information to the spouses and families before their relocation until they arrive and settle in the country. 1) Welcoming new families: providing welcome booklets and practical guides for relocating families; updating post reports with more practical advice for the next rotation; matching spouses/families in the country with newcomers to provide tailored support (i.e. buddy families); organising welcome events and guided tours; coordinating the sharing of houseware to help newcomers while waiting for their belongings to be shipped in. 2) Networking and best practices: connecting with Community Liaison Officers from other missions (UK, USA, Canada, Australia and EU Member States) to exchange ideas and coordinate activities; learning from other diplomatic networks about their best practices in supporting spouses and families that could be implemented in the EU network. 3) Liaising with the EU Delegation: cooperating with the Heads of Administration to include spouses in Delegation events such as Europe Day; finding synergies to welcome and support spouses and families. 4) Learning and development: promoting spouses’ access to internal language, security and First Aid training courses originally organised for staff, thus reinforcing inclusion without impacting budgets. These efforts highlight the DLO role as a vital link between the institution and families - creating a more connected, supportive and informed community across postings.
Since recently, a small group of DLOs also make up a DLO Committee. The Committee is there to ensure the smooth running of the overall pilot project performing key day-to-day tasks such as managing the DLO website page and content, preparing meetings, presentations, social media content, IT support, speaking at various events and holding regular stock-taking exercises with the EEAS Family Officer and HQ to discuss the various lessons learned and the latest common challenges experienced.
DLO Committee
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Nadia von Bassewitz
EUDPN Board Member
Esmeralda Bertule
DLO Bissau
Gilles Datcharry
DLO Pakistan
Stefania Francescon
DLO Fiji
Ulrike Gemmer
DLO Philippines
Carolina Gallardo Di Girolamo
EUDPN Board Member
Mia Masova
DLO Serbia
Morgan Minchin-Jones
DLO New Zealand
Morgan Minchin-Jones - DLO New Zealand
I am a French/British citizen with over 20 years’ experience working for the UN
and EU. Being the first ever DLO for New Zealand, I wanted to establish a working system of information, support and a vital active network and sense of community to current and future staff family members. My hope is that these efforts will help create an instrumental legacy that will make a difference and endure time.
Mia Masova - DLO Serbia
I am a Slovak citizen with over 16 years’ experience working for the European Commission. Our move to Belgrade marked a new chapter for my family, and I wanted to draw on my previous experience supporting newcomers in Brussels to assist families here as well. As a DLO, I aim to ease the transition for others by offering practical advice, sharing local insights, and helping to build a welcoming, informed, and connected community. This includes supporting spouses in feeling part of Delegation life by encouraging their participation and facilitating their involvement in events and activities whenever possible.
Gilles Datcharry - DLO Pakistan
Front and foremost, I want families to feel like they are not left to their own devices and that they are part of a network. There are many informal networks in Islamabad but it may be difficult to access them. I see my role as a facilitator to access those networks.
Ulrike Gemmer - DLO Philippines
I am a German national and have lived abroad most of my life. We have lived in Italy, China, Belgium, Moldova, Nepal and now Philippines. I have a master degree in Geography, Soil Science and Botany and have worked as a conference manager on topics of the automotive industry and industrial technology for some years. In summer 2024, I relocated my family of six with three dogs and two cats from Kathmandu/Nepal to Manila/Philippines. My passion is finding my way around in the day to day challenges in each country and to bring people together. I enjoy supporting the spouses and partners at delegations and look forward to connecting with you.
Stefania Francescon - DLO Fiji
Hello! I am Stefania, I grew up in Italy, studied in France and lived over 10 years in Brussels, where I worked as programme manager in the international CSO sector.
Our first adventure in a EU Delegation brought our family to Fiji in 2021. Being passionate about increasing effectiveness and leaving the world a better place, I embarked in the DLO project with enthusiasm. I strive to build a welcoming community for spouses and families, and I advocate for increased support for spouses’ employment and social rights.