Internships – Committee of the Regions – Brussels

Can you imagine spending five months in Brussels, working at a European Union institution and being surrounded by young people and professionals from all over Europe? The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) offers five-month paid work placements in Brussels, aimed primarily at young graduates interested in developing their careers in a European, multilingual and multicultural environment.

As a CoR intern, you’ll be able to work alongside professionals from different fields and familiarise yourself with the workings of an institution that represents the interests of the European Union’s regional and local authorities. In addition, the Cicero programme offers the chance to take part in projects relating to issues relevant to European regions and cities, encouraging participants’ initiative and creativity.

The CoR offers various types of work placements and study visits, tailored to different academic and professional profiles.

CICERO INTERNSHIPS

Benefits:

• Amonthly grant of approximately €1,538;
• Travel and transport allowance;
• Accident insurance included;
• Option to take out optional health insurance cover;
• Full-time role, 40 hours per week;
• Gain professional experience within a European Union institution;
• Work in a multilingual, multicultural and international environment in Brussels;
• Choose up to three preferred departments when applying;
• Take part in innovative projects through the YFactor programme, which enables the development of initiatives such as conferences, podcasts or e-books;
• Gain first-hand insight into the Committee’s work and its relationship with European regions and cities.

Your role:

As a participant in the Cicero placement scheme, you will join one of the departments of the Committee of the Regions and contribute to its day-to-day activities.

During your placement, you will be able to:

• gain an insight into how a European institution works;
• work on issues relating to a wide range of EU policies;
• work alongside professionals and other trainees in an international environment;
• develop professional skills and knowledge about the workings of the European Union;
• take part in projects relating to the interests of European regions and cities;
• develop your own initiatives through the YFactor programme;
• create projects such as conferences, podcasts or e-books, depending on your interests and the host department.

Standard placements last five months, are full-time (40 hours per week) and take place in Brussels, Belgium.

They are organised into two annual sessions:

• Spring session: from 16 February to 15 July;
• Autumn session: 16 September to 15 February.

Basic requirements:

• be a citizen of a Member State of the European Union;
• a limited number of third-country nationals, including those from the United Kingdom, may be accepted in exceptional cases, provided they meet the legal requirements to reside and work in Belgium;
• have obtained a full university degree or have completed at least the third year of higher education, university studies or equivalent, before the application deadline;
• have a thorough knowledge of an official EU language;
• have a satisfactory knowledge of English or French;
• must not have previously undertaken more than eight weeks’ internship, whether paid or unpaid, at an EU institution, body, delegation or representative office;
• not have held any kind of employment with a European institution or body.

What sort of candidate are they looking for?

The Committee is looking for young people with an interest in European policies, the ability to adapt and the motivation to work in an international and multilingual environment.

Initiative, the ability to work as part of a team and an interest in developing projects related to the challenges and opportunities facing European regions and cities will also be valued.

Application process:

Applications for the Cicero placements must be submitted exclusively online via the Committee of the Regions’ application form.

During the application process, candidates must:

• select up to three preferred CoR departments;
• complete all mandatory fields;
• provide accurate and verifiable information;
• carefully review their application before submitting it.

The form may be amended up to the submission deadline, but only one application is permitted per internship period.

False statements may result in the rejection of the application or the cancellation of the grant.

Selection timetable

Spring session — 16 February to 15 July

• Application: from 1 July to 1 October, until 12:00 (Brussels time), of the previous year;
• Shortlisting and interviews: November;
• Selection: December.

We recommend that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application, as high data traffic could prevent your application from being received correctly. Applications submitted after the deadline or by means other than electronically will not be accepted.

More information: Eurodesk