Culture and Democracy Trainee

Eurocities is looking for a

Culture and Democracy Trainee

Organisation

Eurocities is the network of major European cities, comprising more than 200 members, working across a wide range of thematic areas that reflect cities' priorities.

Eurocities is a dynamic and international team where we trust in people, value constructive exchanges and collaborative work. We help people thrive in a friendly, open and healthy environment while promoting a work/life balance.

We are recruiting a trainee to work on topics linked to culture and to democracy with our culture and democracy team for 1 year (six months, renewable for another 6 months), ideally starting early May 2026.

Responsibilities

As trainee, you will play an important role in Eurocities' daily work, with a focus on topics linked to culture and to democracy. You will work with the Head of culture and democracy and the project coordinators on culture and on democracy. In this role, you will:

• monitor policy initiatives and developments at EU level on topics such as cultural policies, cultural heritage, culture and sustainable development, local democracy etc.

• carry out research, analysing policy documents

• support the implementation of EU funded projects on culture and on democracy

• support project development in the fields of culture and democracy, if needed

• draft briefing notes, articles for Eurocities newsletters or project newsletters

• update Eurocities web pages and other communications-related tasks

• contribute to the organisation of meetings linked to culture and to democracy, both online and onsite

• update members database

• give general support to the culture and democracy team

Profile

You are proactive and enthusiastic about delivering positive results in a flexible manner.

Eurocities will support you in developing your skills for entering the workplace. We have set out below some skills that would help you get the most out of this traineeship.

You have:

• essential: a university degree on culture, cultural management, or linked to democracy

• a keen interest in local cultural policies and strengthening democratic resilience

• basic knowledge and interest about cultural trends and about protecting democracy in the European Union

• basic knowledge about cultural policies and policies linked to democracy in the EU, the EU institutions and the role of local authorities

• excellent oral and written communications skills in English. other languages is an asset

• advanced writing skills

• excellent organisational skills

• problem-solving approach

• good interpersonal skills for an international environment

• experience with Microsoft Teams

• digital awareness for online meetings

You are:

• a dynamic team player

• able to work independently

• agile in a changing environment with the ability to juggle competing deadlines

We offer

• a 1-year traineeship contract (six-month renewable for another 6 months), starting in May 2026,

• a full-time position that will be carried out at Eurocities office in Brussels;

• a remuneration of approximately €1,200 per month.

Important: Eurocities will provide you with a Belgian trainee contract (CIP "convention d'immersion professionnelle"). Due to the CIP requirements and conditions, the selected candidate will need to either live in Belgium or be willing to move to Belgium for the duration of the contract (candidates need to provide a Belgian address). More information on this type of contract may be found on:

https://www.actiris.brussels/fr/citoyens/convention-d-immersion-professionnelle/

Benefits

• meal vouchers

• full reimbursement of public transport costs

Some other benefit examples are:

• training opportunities and access to online training;

• a dynamic international team;

• a pleasant working environment;

• flexible working hours;

• part-time teleworking.

Eurocities promotes the importance of a work life balance.

How to apply

Applicants are requested to send a letter of motivation (1 page maximum) together with a CV by COB on 12 March 2026 to: Patricia de Wouters, Head of HR, at jobs.trainees@eurocities.eu.

In their letter of motivation applicants should explain their suitability for the position and respond to the following question: How can cultural policies and initiatives strengthen democratic participation at the local level?

Please send the documents in pdf format and mention 'CIP Culture and democracy' in the subject line.

Please note that due to the high number of applications, the vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview on 23 and 25 March 2026 (the interviews will be scheduled either in person in Brussels, or remotely on Teams).

We are aware that you might use AI when applying for this position. It's perfectly fine to use AI to brainstorm, structure your ideas or edit your language. Just please be aware that while AI is one of the tools we use in Eurocities, the main tool we need for the work here is our brains: This is a content-based position and one that AI cannot often do for you. Please keep this in mind during the application and interview phase to avoid disappointment on both sides later in the process. We want to use this interview to get to know you and your ideas, not what ChatGPT thinks the best answers are.

CV and personal data of non-selected candidates are not shared with anyone outside Eurocities and will be deleted immediately after the recruitment process. For more information, read our privacy policy.