About the EPP Group

The Group of the European People's Party (EPP Group) is the largest and oldest group in the European Parliament. As a centre-right group, the Group is committed to creating a stronger Europe, building on its people and working towards the benefit of all Europeans. It aims to build a more ambitious and self-assured Europe where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. In its day-to-day business, the Group and its Members can rely on the multinational secretariat that provides high-quality political, administrative and technical support.

About the Directorate

The Press & Media Directorate ensures the dissemination to the media and the public of the political priorities of the EPP Group using the most advanced communication techniques. The Directorate includes a team of Press Officers and Press Assistants able to communicate in the 24 official EU languages.

What do we offer?

The EPP Group’s traineeship programme offers an excellent opportunity for university graduates and undergraduate students to gain experience and practical knowledge of working in an international, multilingual and multicultural environment of the EPP Group and the European Parliament.

We offer the following types of traineeships in our Secretariat in Brussels (Belgium):

Option 1) 5-month full-time (40 hrs/week) paid traineeship for graduates

Option 2) unpaid 3-month full-time (40 hrs/week) traineeship for undergraduates

Compensation and benefits

• Monthly allowance of €1,700 to cover living costs in Brussels;
• Reimbursement of mission costs (travel and accommodation) to attend one plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg;
• Sickness and accident insurance.

When?

Approximate timetable

Spring Traineeship starting in February:

Deadline for applications - 15 November, 12:00 CET.

What will you do?

The Press and Media Trainee will work under the guidance of experienced team member of the Press and Media Directorate and contribute to its daily activities, including:

• Daily monitoring and preparation of the press reviews of the national and European press;
• Research and media monitoring of EU hot topics;
• Following press briefings and writing reports on them;
• Following plenary sessions and assisting Press Officers in drafting press releases;
• Supporting Press Officers in drafting key messages on topics related to legislative work;
• Following relevant meetings and writing minutes and briefings;
• Assisting in the organisation of press conferences and media events;
• Proofreading and translating various documents.

Applicants for the Press and Media Trainee must:

• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union or of an associated or candidate country;
• Have a university degree or have completed at least three years of study (six semesters) at a university or equivalent institute of higher education, preferably in journalism, communication, media, political science, international relations studies or another relevant field;
• Have not previously been granted a paid traineeship in an EU Institution/MEP Office or have not already been in gainful employment after the completion of their studies;
• Have a very good knowledge (at least CEFR B2 level) of two official EU languages, one of which must be English, French or German (EU citizens) OR have a very good knowledge of the English language (non-EU citizens);
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to draft clear and concise press reviews, reports, briefings and key messages;
• Have a good understanding of the media environment and an interest in European affairs and EU policies;
• Have strong research, analytical and summarising skills as well as excellent proofreading skills.

How to apply?

Admission Documents

All candidates MUST:

Option 1) Paid Traineeship

• Complete the online application form in English available when clicking on the Apply button below;
• Upload a Europass CV in English;

• Upload a one-page PDF document in English answering the following questions:

  (Your answers must be in Times New Roman font, size 12 and contain maximum 250 words per question):

  1. Why have you chosen this traineeship in the EPP Group?
  2. Why do you apply to the specific Directorate?
• Upload the following supporting documents as a single PDF file, including:
  • Letter of recommendation from a university professor;
  • Documents proving the knowledge of the languages (certificates or diplomas);
  • ID card or Passport;
  • University studies diploma(s) OR a certificate proving that you completed at least six semesters at a university;
  • (Optional) letter of recommendation from a political figure (local, national or European) belonging to the EPP family.

Option 2) Unpaid Traineeship

• Complete the online application form in English available when clicking on the Apply button below;
• Upload a Europass CV in English;

• Upload a one-page PDF document in English answering the following questions:

  (Your answers must be in Times New Roman font, size 12 and contain a maximum of 250 words per question):

  1. Why have you chosen this traineeship in the EPP Group?
  2. Why are you applying to the specific Directorate/Unit?
• Upload the following supporting documents as a single PDF file, including:
  • Letter of recommendation from a university professor;
  • Documents proving the knowledge of the languages (certificates or diplomas);
  • ID card or Passport;
  • An attestation from the university stating that a traineeship is compulsory within the framework of the studies and its required length (maximum 3 months);
  • (Optional) letter of recommendation from a political figure (local, national or European) belonging to the EPP family.

We particularly encourage qualified candidates with disabilities to apply for the traineeship.

CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT MEET ALL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OR FAIL TO UPLOAD ADMISSION DOCUMENTS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ELIMINATED FROM THE SELECTION PROCEDURE.

Candidates may APPLY FOR ONLY ONE of the currently open traineeship calls. CANDIDATES WHO APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE TRAINEESHIP CALL WILL HAVE ALL THEIR APPLICATIONS DISREGARDED.

You may contact the Human Resources Unit of the EPP Group by email eppgroup-traineeships@europarl.europa.eu only if you encounter technical problems.