Friends of Europe is recruiting a Communications Assistant for a paid six-month traineeship in Belgium, starting in late September or early October 2026. The role is designed for recent graduates who want their first substantial professional experience in communications and offers unusually broad exposure across social media, digital campaigns, website publishing, basic SEO, analytics, multimedia, podcasts, events and editorial work.
The position is hybrid and sits within the organisation’s Communications Team. The initial traineeship lasts six months with a possibility of renewal. Applications close on 26 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST, and shortlisted candidates can expect a one-hour online test followed by an interview.
Paid Traineeship at a Glance
- Organization: Friends of Europe
- Position: Communications Assistant
- Location: Brussels / Belgium
- Work arrangement: Hybrid
- Duration: 6 months
- Expected start: Late September or early October 2026
- Compensation: Paid traineeship; public advert does not state the amount
- Renewal: Possible
- Deadline: 26 August 2026, 23:59 CEST
- Application document: CV in PDF, maximum 2 pages
- Shortlisting: One-hour online test, then interview
About Friends of Europe
Friends of Europe is an independent Brussels-based think tank founded in 1999. Its work focuses on European and global policy challenges and on bringing together policymakers, business leaders, civil society and citizens.
That environment makes the traineeship different from a generic marketing internship. The communications work is connected to policy publications, public debates, events and campaigns dealing with European and international affairs.
What Friends of Europe Means by a Traineeship
The organisation describes its traineeships as a combination of initial full-time work experience and hands-on training. They are intended for people who have recently graduated and are eager to gain their first professional experience.
The Communications Assistant is therefore expected to contribute to real team output rather than only observe senior staff. The role spans editorial, social, analytical and multimedia tasks, so applicants should be comfortable switching between different types of work.
Editing Articles and Reports
The trainee will help edit Friends of Europe publications, including articles, reports and other written material, in line with the organisation’s in-house style.
This is one reason the vacancy places strong emphasis on English. The successful candidate needs excellent writing skills and must be able to work carefully with text, tone, grammar and structure. Experience editing English-language material is an advantage.
Social Media Content and Scheduling
The role includes creating, planning and scheduling social content across platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram and Bluesky. Tasks may involve drafting copy, adapting visuals, preparing content calendars and supporting live coverage during events.
Applicants who have managed a student society, nonprofit, personal project, university department or small business social account should make that experience visible even if it was not a formal job.
Digital Campaign Optimisation
The Communications Assistant will contribute to daily campaign optimisation. That means communications is not treated only as content production; the trainee is expected to look at performance and help improve how campaigns meet their objectives.
Useful experience can include checking reach, engagement, click-throughs, audience behaviour or other performance indicators and then changing timing, format, messaging or distribution based on what the data shows.
Research and Message Development
Friends of Europe expects the trainee to use different information sources and tools to identify insights and build strong messages. Because the organisation works on policy issues, this can involve turning complex European or global topics into communications that are accurate and understandable.
An interest in current affairs, European policy and international issues is therefore important even for candidates whose main background is communications or media.
WordPress and Basic SEO
The role includes updating, formatting and uploading content to the Friends of Europe website using WordPress. Basic SEO optimisation may be part of that work where relevant.
This is particularly useful for early-career applicants who want practical experience with a live institutional website. Familiarity with WordPress is listed as a bonus rather than an absolute requirement, so candidates with transferable CMS experience can still be relevant.
Analytics and Performance Reporting
The trainee will help extract social-media and website data and turn it into accurate performance reports with useful learnings. The point is not only to copy numbers into a spreadsheet but to explain what the results suggest about audience behaviour and future communications.
Experience with social analytics dashboards, website analytics or campaign reporting should therefore be included in the application if available.
Multimedia and Short-Form Video
The Communications Assistant will support production of multimedia content for social channels, including short-form video, event clips and other digital assets.
Skills in graphic design, photography, Canva or video editing are specifically identified as bonuses. A candidate with a small but polished portfolio can use it to demonstrate capability even if they do not have years of professional experience.
Podcast Support
The role also includes helping conceptualise, plan and produce podcasts. That can involve topic planning, preparation, coordination and content packaging around episodes.
Podcast or audio experience is not listed as a mandatory qualification, but it shows the breadth of the communications work covered by the traineeship.
Events and Flexible Hours
Friends of Europe organises policy events and public discussions. The trainee may be involved in live communications and other event support, and the advert asks for flexibility when events take place in the morning, evening or at weekends.
Applicants should consider this practical requirement before applying. Hybrid working does not mean the position can be completed entirely remotely.
Administrative Responsibilities
The Communications Assistant will also handle tasks such as taking meeting minutes, managing correspondence and updating databases. These responsibilities are less visible than social campaigns but are part of keeping a communications team organised.
A candidate who can demonstrate reliable organisation, attention to detail and follow-through will therefore be stronger than someone who focuses only on creative skills.
Who Can Apply?
The work-authorisation requirement is specific. The role is open to:
- Nationals of EU member states.
- Nationals of EEA member states.
- Swiss nationals.
- Non-EU nationals who already have the right to work in Belgium.
The public advert does not indicate that Friends of Europe will obtain Belgian work authorisation for an applicant who does not already qualify. Non-EU candidates should therefore confirm their existing right to work before applying.
English Requirement
Friends of Europe requires fluent written and spoken English and states that native-level fluency is a must. Excellent writing is particularly important because the trainee will edit publications and create external-facing content.
Candidates should not treat this as a conversational-English requirement only. The role demands editorial-quality English.
Education and Communications Background
Applicants need demonstrable knowledge of and interest in communications. That can come from a relevant university degree, equivalent experience or self-learning.
This makes the vacancy somewhat flexible academically. A graduate in communications, journalism, international relations, politics, marketing or another field could potentially fit if they can show strong communications skills and relevant interest.
Behavioural Qualities
The organisation wants someone who is highly motivated, hands-on and organised, with a solution-oriented mindset. The candidate should be able to meet deadlines without losing attention to detail and should be comfortable working in a multicultural team with limited supervision.
A genuine interest in think tanks is also important. Applicants should be able to explain why they want communications experience in a policy environment rather than giving a generic answer about gaining experience.
How to Build a Strong Two-Page CV
The CV must be submitted as a PDF and should be no longer than two pages. That limit means relevance matters. Put communications-related experience, projects and tools where the recruiter can see them quickly.
Useful evidence can include:
- Social accounts or campaigns you managed.
- Articles, newsletters or reports you edited.
- WordPress or other CMS publishing.
- Canva, Adobe, video or design work.
- Website or social analytics.
- Event communications.
- Podcast or multimedia production.
- Student media, societies, volunteer communications or personal projects.
Where possible, describe outcomes rather than only tasks—for example, the audience reached, engagement improved, content volume managed or campaign performance achieved.
Application Questions and Motivation
Friends of Europe asks applicants to answer relevant questions through its recruitment website. Use those answers to explain why the think-tank environment matters to you, what communications work you have already done and where you want to grow.
Because the traineeship is intended as first professional experience, you do not need to pretend to be a senior communications specialist. A convincing application can instead show strong fundamentals, evidence of self-directed learning and readiness to handle real responsibility.
Selection Process
After the initial application, shortlisted candidates will complete a one-hour online test. Candidates who progress will then be invited to an interview.
The test could reasonably assess skills central to the advertised role—writing, editing, digital communications, judgement or attention to detail—so applicants should be comfortable producing clear work under time pressure.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the official Friends of Europe recruitment site. Candidates need to answer the application questions and upload a PDF CV of no more than two pages.
The closing time is 26 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST. Because the deadline is close, candidates should prepare the CV and application answers before the final day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Friends of Europe Communications Assistant traineeship paid?
Yes. The official vacancy describes it as a paid traineeship, but the public posting does not state the payment amount.
How long does the traineeship last?
The initial period is six months, with a possibility of renewal.
Can non-EU applicants apply?
Yes, but non-EU nationals must already have the right to work in Belgium. The advert does not state that work authorisation will be sponsored.
What happens after the application?
Shortlisted candidates complete a one-hour online test followed by an interview.
Is WordPress experience required?
It is listed as an added bonus rather than an absolute requirement, but the role does include website publishing and basic SEO work in WordPress.
