Eurocities is recruiting a Social Affairs Trainee in Brussels for January 2027. The one-year traineeship offers €1,200 monthly, meal vouchers and public transport reimbursement. Apply by 25 October 2026.
Background & Job Description
Eurocities, a network representing more than 200 major European cities, is inviting applications for its Social Affairs Traineeship, starting in January 2027 in Brussels, Belgium.
The one-year traineeship offers young professionals an opportunity to gain practical experience in social policy, employment, social inclusion and local government initiatives. The selected trainee will work with the Social Affairs team, supporting policy research, project implementation, event organisation and communication activities.
The role focuses on issues affecting vulnerable groups, including children, young people, older people, people experiencing homelessness and other communities requiring social support.
The initial contract lasts six months and may be renewed for another six months. The position is full-time and provides a monthly remuneration of €1,200, together with additional benefits.
Applications close at midnight Central European Time on 25 October 2026.
Programme Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Eurocities |
| Opportunity | Social Affairs Traineeship |
| Location | Brussels, Belgium |
| Start date | January 2027 |
| Duration | 1 year, initially 6 months and renewable for another 6 months |
| Contract type | CIP professional immersion traineeship |
| Monthly remuneration | €1,200 |
| Additional benefits | Meal vouchers and public transport reimbursement |
| Working arrangement | Full-time, with part-time teleworking available |
| Application deadline | 25 October 2026 |
| Interview dates | 10, 12 and 16 November 2026 |
| Application email | jobs.trainees@eurocities.eu |
| Official website | Eurocities |
Tasks and Programme Benefits
The selected trainee will support Eurocities’ Social Affairs team in monitoring European Union policy developments and helping implement projects related to social inclusion and employment.
Responsibilities include:
- Monitoring EU policy initiatives on employment, skills, housing, homelessness, the European Child Guarantee and social funding.
- Supporting the organisation of forums, training sessions and working group meetings.
- Researching social policy issues and analysing data and good-practice examples from European cities.
- Reviewing policy documents and drafting briefing notes, policy statements and reports.
- Providing administrative support, maintaining documents and updating member databases.
- Updating website content and assisting with communications activities.
- Supporting the daily work of the Social Affairs team.
Salary and Benefits
Eurocities offers a monthly remuneration of €1,200. Additional benefits include meal vouchers, reimbursement of public transport costs, training opportunities, flexible working hours and part-time teleworking.
Trainees will also gain experience working in an international environment and collaborate with colleagues involved in urban policy and social development.
Important Relocation Requirement
The traineeship is offered under Belgium’s Convention d’immersion professionnelle (CIP). According to Eurocities, the selected candidate must live in Belgium or be willing to relocate there for the duration of the contract and provide a Belgian address.
Candidates should review the conditions of this contract before applying.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Eurocities is looking for candidates with an interest in social affairs, employment, social inclusion and local public policy.
Applicants should ideally have:
- A university degree, preferably in sociology, law, political science, social sciences, anthropology, human rights, gender studies, social work or a related field.
- Up to one year of previous engagement in social affairs or inclusion, including voluntary experience.
- Basic knowledge of EU social policies, EU institutions and the role of local authorities.
- Strong written and spoken English skills. Additional languages are an advantage.
- Excellent writing, research, organisation and problem-solving skills.
- Attention to detail and the ability to collaborate in an international team.
- Experience using Microsoft Teams and digital tools for online meetings.
Candidates should be proactive, able to work independently and comfortable managing competing deadlines in a changing environment.
Eurocities encourages applicants who meet most, rather than necessarily all, of the listed criteria to consider applying.
Additional Information
Applications must be submitted by midnight CET on 25 October 2026.
Applicants are required to send a CV and a motivation letter addressing these two questions:
- Describe an experience that shaped your perspective on social affairs. Why was it significant, and how did it influence your thinking?
- If selected to join the Eurocities Social Affairs team, what would you most like to learn, and why?
How to apply:
Email your CV and motivation letter in PDF format to jobs.trainees@eurocities.eu.
Address the application to Patricia de Wouters, People & Operations Director, and use CIP SAF as the email subject line.
Interviews are scheduled for 10, 12 and 16 November 2026, both in person in Brussels and online. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Official information: Eurocities Traineeship Announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Eurocities Social Affairs Traineeship?
It is a traineeship offering practical experience in social policy, employment, social inclusion, research and project implementation within a network of major European cities.
2. How much does the Eurocities traineeship pay?
The advertised remuneration is €1,200 per month, with meal vouchers and public transport reimbursement.
3. Where is the traineeship based?
The position is based at the Eurocities office in Brussels, Belgium.
4. How long does the traineeship last?
The contract lasts one year, starting with six months and renewable for an additional six months.
5. What qualifications are required?
A university degree is required, preferably in a social science or related discipline. Relevant voluntary experience, knowledge of EU social policies and strong writing skills are desirable.
6. Can international applicants apply?
Applicants should check their eligibility for the Belgian CIP traineeship arrangement. The selected candidate must live in Belgium or relocate there and provide a Belgian address. Applicants should also confirm any applicable residence or work authorisation requirements.
7. What is the application deadline?
Applications must be emailed by midnight CET on 25 October 2026.
8. Which documents are required?
Applicants must submit a CV and a motivation letter in PDF format. The letter must answer the two questions listed in the vacancy announcement.
9. When will interviews take place?
Interviews are scheduled for 10, 12 and 16 November 2026, either in person in Brussels or online.
10. How do I apply?
Email both required documents to jobs.trainees@eurocities.eu with the subject line CIP SAF.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Eurocities Social Affairs Traineeship may suit recent graduates interested in European social policy, employment, local government and social inclusion. The monthly remuneration, practical policy experience and international working environment are notable benefits. However, candidates should carefully consider the Belgian residence requirement and ensure their application answers both motivation-letter questions.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares career and education opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with Eurocities and does not recruit on the organisation’s behalf. Applicants should confirm the latest details and eligibility conditions with Eurocities before applying.
SEO Keywords: Eurocities Social Affairs Traineeship 2027, Eurocities traineeship Brussels, social policy traineeship Europe, paid traineeships Belgium, EU social affairs internships, social inclusion traineeship, employment policy traineeship, Brussels graduate opportunities, Eurocities careers, European policy traineeships, €1200 monthly traineeship, traineeship deadline October 2026
