The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) - Cicero Traineeships (fall session 2025/26)

Deadline: March 31, 2025

Program Starts: September 15, 2025

Program Ends: February 15, 2026

Internships

Government International Organizations

Location(s)

Belgium

rue Belliard 99-101, B-1040 Brussels

Overview

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the voice of regions and cities in the European Union (EU). It represents local and regional authorities across the European Union and advises on new laws that have an impact on regions and cities (70% of all EU legislation). The CoR is a political assembly composed of 350 members and 350 alternates from all EU countries (grouped by political party and headed by the President) who have been elected at local or regional level (for example as Mayors or Presidents of a region). They come to Brussels up to six times a year to debate their opinions on proposed legislation and agree on resolutions for further action by the EU.

Is the involvement of local and regional realities at European level close to your heart? Do you believe the involvement of citizens in the EU decision-making process is necessary? Then, check out the traineeship programmes that the CoR offers!

This is a unique opportunity for you to get in touch with a dynamic and human-sized institutional reality!

Details

As a CoR trainee, you will be witnessing first-hand the dynamics of a multilingual and multinational institution. Within a small group of trainees, you will not only be able to work across a wide range of EU policy aspects, but you will also have the unique possibility to create an event by yourself!

Thanks to the unique YFactor scheme, trainees are invited to carry out project work addressing issues that are relevant for European regions and cities. Whether you decide to work on a conference, a podcast, or an eBook – as a CoR trainee your creativity will be challenged and encouraged!

Calendar

Spring Session: 16 February to 15 July

Application period: 1 July to 30 September (noon, Brussels time) of the previous year.
Pre-selection and interviews: November
Selection: December

Autumn Session: 16 September to 15 February

Application period: 3 January to 3 April (noon/12:00, Brussels time) of the same year
Pre-selection and interviews: May
Selection: June

Warning: We recommend that you avoid applying close to the deadline, as high data traffic could mean that your application may not reach us on time. We can not accept any applications that were not sent on time, or not submitted electronically.

How to apply?

Choose your preferred CoR department (up to 3 possible)
Make sure that you fill in the mandatory fields, only provide correct information and check before you submit your application

Please note:

You will still be able to make changes to your form before the application deadline.
False statements will lead to rejection of the application or cancellation of the traineeship.
You are allowed to submit only one application per traineeship period.

Opportunity is About

International Affairs Politics Society

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Eligibility

Candidates should be from:

Albania Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg North Macedonia Malta Montenegro Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom

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Description of Ideal Candidate

Who are we looking for?

EU citizens
Citizens from third countries (including the UK) can also apply, and may be selected in exceptional cases, notably if their candidature is of particular interest to the CoR and if they comply with the requirements under national immigration law for residing and working legally in Belgium
University graduates who have obtained a full undergraduate academic degree, or have completed at least the third year of higher education (university or equivalent), by the closing date for applications
Candidates who are fluent in one EU language and have satisfactory knowledge of English or French

Candidates who have already received more than 8 weeks of in-house placement (whether paid or unpaid) in a European institution, body, delegation or representative office or who have had any form of employment in a European institution or body shall not be accepted.