Policy Intern

ECF is looking for a motivated Policy Intern to join its team in Brussels.

About the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)

• We are the single European umbrella federation of member-based civil society organisations advocating and working for more and better cycling.

• We promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy means of transport and leisure.

• With more than 70 member organisations from over 40 countries, we harness the power of European cycling movements as the only voice at the pan-European level.

• We are based in Brussels and our roots are in Europe, but the challenges we face are global, and we are ready to meet them as the world’s largest and best-known cyclists’ advocacy organisation.

Internship description

As an intern you will assist the advocacy team with doing research and policy analysis, and with lobbying the EU institutions to fulfil our mission. You will have an opportunity to apply and develop your abilities and interests in advocacy and research focused on sustainable mobility and cycling. Your line manager will be the Director for Advocacy and EU Affairs.

Specific responsibilities for the Policy Intern may include

• Author a report analysing how Member States and competent regions transpose the relevant cycling parts of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive EU 2024/1275 into national/regional law.

• Assist in the ECF campaign on the Multi-annual Financial Framework 2028-2034 and its possible impact on cycling investments.

• Set up and maintain a monitoring system to track the European Parliament’s committee work and other institutional activities relevant to cycling.

• Prepare meetings and take minutes.

• Assist with any type of ad-hoc measures in the advocacy team.

What do we offer?

You will have a place in Europe’s and the world’s largest pro-cycling federation to promote cycling as the healthiest, most climate-friendly and efficient means of transport and leisure. Your internship will be in an office located in the heart of Brussels and full of friendly, passionate and international colleagues. There are a lot of opportunities to learn and to demonstrate creativity, initiative, research and management skills; to work on community building, advocacy and cycling-related issues and to build your cycling network.

We offer a full time 26-week internship paid approximately €1,077 monthly. This is a professional internship agreement, according to Belgian law, called Convention d’immersion professionnelle (FR) or Beroepsinlevingsovereenkomst (NL). It includes a clear description of the tasks and the expected competences acquired by the end of the internship.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the European Union and able to live and work in Belgium during their internship. The candidate should be able to start on 1 June 2026 at the latest.

Who are we looking for?

Experience/Knowledge

Essential:

• Strong interest in transport policy

• Knowledge in EU affairs

• Bachelor or Master’s degree or be in your final year(s) to obtain your Master’s

Desirable:

• Interest in the topic of bicycle parking

• Previous working experience or volunteering in an advocacy role

• Writing resources and materials for advocacy, political activity, cycling media, voluntary groups etc.

Skills

Essential:

• Excellent English

• Outstanding research skills

• Strong writing skills

• Good time management

• Solid knowledge of MS Office

• Ability to self-organise

• Ability to pay attention to detail, and take initiative in problem-solving

Desirable:

• Other languages are an asset

• Experience in policy analysis

• Managing multiple tasks

Personal/Other

Essential:

• Interest and ability to work in a diverse cross-cultural environment

• Share commitment to ECF’s values

Desirable:

• Bicycle user for transport or leisure

How to apply?

Please send these following three documents in EN in one pdf-file to hr@ecf.com

with the subject line ”First Name Last Name – Policy Intern” by 24 April 2026, 23:59.

• Your motivation letter (max 1 page)

• Your CV

• Assignment: Review the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive as well as ECF’s Summary of Impact of the EPBD on European Bicycle Parking Requirements https://www.ecf.com/media/resources/2024/ECF_EPBD_Summary_Document_May_2024_Final.pdf

Discuss on one A4-page possible challenges with transposing the EPBD into national law and implementing it on the ground. Feel free to zoom in on one or two particular challenges. Make connections to the building code in the area you currently reside. If you use AI, make sure you distinguish yourself from other applicants.

Due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an online interview.

Equal Opportunity

ECF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of race and ethnicity, opinions or beliefs, sex, gender, sexual orientation, health, or disabilities.