Traineeship for Programme support (Western Balkans)
The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is a grant-giving organisation based in Brussels. EED’s goal is to provide flexible support to democracy activists, complementing other EU and member state democracy support programmes. EED provides context-based, demand driven support based on a principle of fostering democracy and facilitating initiatives of local actors. Its geographic mandate covers the European neighbourhood and beyond. EED seeks a trainee for a twelve-month traineeship for Programme Support (Western Balkans, BCSM speaker), starting in October 2025. The trainee will assist in the EED grant-making contractual, programmatic and administrative process.
Responsibilities
• Assist in assessment, contracting and monitoring of grant applications
• Assist with arranging events, missions and meetings for team members, consultants and relevant EED partners.
• Translate brief texts from BCSM to English and vice-versa;
• Assist with other administrative tasks of the Programme team.
Requirements
• Understanding of the political context and civil society dynamics in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro.
• Experience in project management is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel necessary.
• High drive for detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in BCSM (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Montenegrin) language required, in addition to English.
How to apply
Should you be interested in this position and meet the criteria, please submit your CV (Europass format), a one-page motivation letter and contact information for two referees. After successfully submitting your application, you will receive an automatic email confirming receipt of your application. Please no phone calls/emails/letters. The information provided in the applications is subject to EU legislation on the protection of personal data and confidentiality of information.
The application deadline is Sunday, 15 June 2025 at midnight Brussels time.
The internship is planned for the period of twelve months, starting in October 2025* (subject to the formal approval from the Belgian authorities).
The expected level of monthly remuneration is around €1,900 net per month, in addition to meal vouchers and the reimbursement of a monthly subscription to Brussels public transport.
Work place: EED Secretariat, located in the centre of Brussels, Belgium.
The contractual relations with the trainee will be regulated by a Convention d'immersion professionnelle (a professional immersion agreement under Belgian Law). Citizenship of an EU Member State or residency in the European Union is preferred, but not mandatory. EED requires all trainees to be less than 30 years old.
Non-EU nationals must fulfil the following criteria at the time of selection in order to be eligible for receiving a Belgian work permit:
• Have a university degree which is not older than 24 months or be currently enrolled at a university in a third country (non-EU)
or
• Be enrolled at a Belgian university and be in possession of an Annex 15 or residence card A that allows them unlimited access to the Belgian labour market
*pending funding confirmation