Policy Intern

Position description

Interviewswill start immediately and continue until the vacancy has been filled

Start date:as soon as possible, exact date to be agreed

Contract: Internship based on a convention d’immersion professionnelle, i.e. CIP contract, with a monthly €1200 allowance

Duration:6 months

Location:Brussels

About OpenForum Europe

OpenForum Europe (OFE) is a not-for-profit think tank that promotes openness in computing to policymakers and communities across Europe. OurPolicy Research and Development teamin Brussels works with a network of partners, supporters, academics, and specialist advisors. OFE focuses on key digital policy areas, includingopen technologies, standardisation, cybersecurity, digital government, competitiveness and innovation policy, digital sovereignty, public procurement, copyright, cloud computing, digital platforms, and internet policy. Our work is guided by the principles ofuser-centricity, competition, flexibility, sustainability, and openness. We collaborate closely with theEuropean Commission, the European Parliament, the United Nations, and national and local governments, both directly and through our network of national partners.

The Role

OpenForum Europe (OFE) is seeking aPolicy Internto support our advocacy, research, and outreach efforts focused on open technologies in Europe. This internship is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of EU digital policy and open source, while contributing to our work on digital sovereignty, open standards, and trustworthy tech ecosystems.

The intern will work closely with OFE’s policy team, supporting daily operations, event organisation, policy monitoring and analysis across a wide range of topics in the digital policy space.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the monitoring and analysis of EU digital policy developments, particularly those impacting open source, digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, AI, and procurement;
• Contribute to drafting briefings, reports, and blog posts on relevant policy files;
• Assist in the organisation of events, stakeholder meetings, and outreach activities;
• Attend relevant hearings, conferences, and webinars, providing concise summaries and analysis;
• Support the preparation of presentations and communication materials;
• Provide general support to the policy team as needed.

Candidate Profile & Competencies

• You must have the right to work in Belgium;
• Highly motivated and curious about EU policy, digital regulation, and open technologies;
• Strong writers and communicators in English (native or near-native level);
• Recent graduate in EU affairs, political science, law, international relations, technology policy, or a related field;
• Familiar with the functioning of EU institutions;
• Knowledgeable or eager to learn about open source software, digital sovereignty, and emerging tech regulation;
• Organised, detail-oriented and able to manage several tasks simultaneously.

Previous experience in a policy, tech, or advocacy role is a plus, but not required.

What We Offer

• A hands-on role in a high-impact digital policy environment;
• Exposure to the EU policymaking process and key open source initiatives;
• Training and mentorship by experienced policy professionals;
• Opportunities to engage with a broad network of experts, institutions, and thought leaders.

Application instructions

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