Opportunities for young people in Europe

Opportunities for young people

I am often asked about European Union study and work opportunities for young people. These are usually known as 'internships', 'traineeships' or 'stages'. Here is some information that I hope you will find useful.

The European Parliament

At the Parliament students can apply for:

an internship in the Parliament secretariat (apolitical work, Robert Schuman scholarships available, about £500 per month). For more info click here to visit the traineeships section of the European Parliament website
an internship in the office of an MEP - they can each be contacted by email or phone, their names and addresses are in local libraries and phone directories, or click here for the membership list on the European Parliament website.
an internship for a political group (eg the Party of European Socialists, known as PES). At present applicants must contact Ms Breda O'Carroll (see below) for information about PES stages, which last five months. Some but not all of these stages are paid.

Ms Breda O'Carroll

European Parliament

Party of European Socialists

ASP 6H241

rue Wiertz, Brussels 1040,

Belgium

Telephone 0032 2 284 3109

or click here to visit the PES website.

The European Commission and other European institutions

Other institutions in Europe, including the Commission, Court of Justice (Luxembourg), Committee of Regions and Economic and Social Committee also have internship schemes.

Click here for more information on European Commission traineeships. The Commission normally accepts 1200 people for 600 places as many people drop out at last moment. In general, there is an age limit on stage applicants, which is 31 or 32. Once you are on the Commission's reserve list, we suggest that you thoroughly explore EUROPA, the website of the institutions of the European Union, in particular the information on the Directorates-General (known as DGs). You should be able to download the directories or organnigrammes of individual DGs, in PDF form. From there, you can target individual units of interest to you.

Lobbying is usually required. You have to convince staff members why they should take you on, which skills and knowledge you offer and what you would like to learn about. From looking at the directory, you can call the Commission switchboard and ask for members of staff by name. The switchboard number is 0032 2 299 1111.

Another resource you can use is Mr Michael Hancock at the UK permanent representation here in Brussels. He can be contacted by telephone on 0032 2287 8207, or click here to email him.

Mr Hancock is in charge of staffing the EU institutions with British nationals, and is well used to helping stagières set up interviews etc. Ask him for the very useful list of UK contacts within each DG.

Opportunities in the UK

You can always explore other, UK based, internship possibilities, which can be cheaper too.

You could offer to work in the UK office of a local MEP
You could ask about work experience in the London, Cardiff or Edinburgh office of the European Parliament and Commission. For more information on local European Parliament offices click here. For information on local European Commission offices click here.
You could also explore courses on European studies which include either work experience or a study visit to Brussels and the European Union institutions.

Further information

If you would like more information or support please click here to send an email to David O'Leary, Eryl's assistant in Brussels .