Events

Have you ever thought about how much of your life fits into a single click? From banking details and medical records to family photos, so much of our lives has moved online. But alongside the benefits, the risks have grown too: phishing, identity theft, and malware attacks.

The good news is that you do not need to be an IT expert to protect your data and your online life. EU4Digital Facility, together with MinnaLearn, has launched a free and accessible cybersecurity course that gives you the tools you need to stay protected in the digital age.

The course is free, available in English, and takes only about five hours to complete. Why is it worth investing one afternoon in it?

1. Unlike overly technical tutorials, this course is designed for self-paced learning and takes around 4–5 hours. It is a small time investment for long-term security.
2. Learn how to spot traps. You will understand the logic behind social engineering and learn how to avoid phishing messages that are becoming more and more convincing.
3. Master the art of defense. You will know exactly what steps to take to prevent incidents and how to respond quickly to recover your data if something does go wrong.
4. Demystify the technology. Concepts like cryptography and digital signatures will no longer feel abstract. You will understand how they work to protect your privacy and keep your data secure.
5. Build a personalized action plan. You will finish the course with more than just theory. You will have a practical safety plan tailored to your needs, from identifying your key digital assets to applying the right protection measures.

Who is this course for?
This course is designed for you, no matter what role you play:

Employees and individuals – to help you protect your identity, social media accounts, and overall online presence.
Entrepreneurs and managers – to help safeguard company assets, sensitive customer information, and business continuity in an increasingly vulnerable environment.
Internet users in general – for anyone who wants to understand how emerging technologies are likely to reshape the rules in the near future.

Recognition aligned with European standards

One of the major benefits of the course is the recognition of your learning. After completing it, you will receive a certificate of completion and a digital badge, aligned with European Union standards. It is a strong addition to your CV or LinkedIn profile and a clear sign of your digital skills.

In a world where data has become the new currency, ignorance can be costly. Cybersecurity is not about fear — it is about control and confidence.

Ready to secure your digital life? Access the EU4Digital course here: Cybersecurity – EU4Digital

“It’s not every day you meet hundreds of girls who are passionate and eager to learn. Science has no gender,” said Delia, one of the participants in the national physics competition for girls. “I also learned about other girls, what they do, why they like physics, and why they want to work in this field,” added her colleague Nicoleta.

For many of the participants, the experience was not only a competition but also an opportunity to discover a community of girls interested in science. “Coming from Fălești, together with 18 other girls, I discovered how captivating physics problems can be. They challenge your logic and are quite unusual,” shared Anastasia.

Other students mentioned that the level of the competition was challenging. “It was an intense competition, especially for someone who truly loves physics,” noted Andreea-Francesca. For them, the event also sent a clear message that girls have a place in science and technology fields. “I would suggest to girls who want to get involved in science to study as much as possible and stay curious. This way, they will have more opportunities,” said Sofia after receiving her well-deserved medal.

Participants emphasised that girls’ involvement in science benefits society as a whole. “It is good for women to study the real sciences because new ideas and discoveries will emerge,” highlighted Elena, attending her first competition. “Girls can do it too. We have the skills, we know how to programme, and we can perform deep analyses in physics,” added Andreea-Francesca.

The first National Physics Competition for Girls brought together 249 schoolgirls from grades VI–XII across 14 districts of Moldova, giving them the opportunity to test their knowledge, meet other girls passionate about physics, and explore educational opportunities offered by the Technical University of Moldova in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

The event was organised with financial support from the European Union under the EVOLVE4GE project, implemented by UN Women Moldova in partnership with the Technical University of Moldova and the “Orizont” Theoretical High School. The initiative contributes to promoting gender equality and creating real opportunities for girls to access science and technology fields.

At the opening of the competition, the Rector of the Technical University of Moldova, host of the event, Viorel Bostan, underlined the importance of promoting scientific education and girls’ participation in technical and engineering fields:
“I am convinced that in the future you will achieve extraordinary results, and I hope these achievements will take place in the exact sciences, technologies, engineering, and mathematics. I am the father of a daughter who studies molecular engineering and who has never stopped at the societal limitations imposed. Science does not differentiate between men and women; what matters in science is creativity, hard work, desire, enthusiasm, and effort.”

“For many years, girls around the world have been told, directly or indirectly, that physics, engineering, and technology ‘are not for them.’ These messages limit choices. As a result, fewer women study physics and advanced STEM fields, even though talent and curiosity are distributed equally. This subsequently affects careers, opportunities, and fair access to highly skilled jobs, especially in technology. At UN Women, we work to eliminate discrimination against women and girls and ensure that every girl can fully realise her potential,” stated UN Women Moldova Representative Dominika Stojanoska, highlighting the role of such initiatives in creating an inclusive educational environment that encourages girls to explore their potential and pursue careers in STEM fields.

Martina Spernbauer, Team Leader for Governance at the European Union Delegation to Moldova, emphasised that investing in girls’ education and gender equality contributes to a more innovative and prosperous society:
“Every discovery begins with a simple question: ‘Why?’ or ‘How?’ Today, these questions come from you. This spirit of curiosity is exactly what drives progress. The European Union strongly believes that every girl should have the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As the country moves closer to EU accession, knowledge, talent, and innovation will play a key role in building a stronger, more prosperous society. Many of the ideas shaping this future may come from you, here today.”

Over the course of two days, participants solved physics problems adapted to their level, attended interactive sessions with women in physics, and explored the laboratories of the Technical University of Moldova. The competition concluded with an award ceremony. Results can be accessed here: Fizica MD – Olympiads and Performance.

Through initiatives such as MindHerPhysics, UN Women Moldova contributes to creating an environment where girls are encouraged to develop their potential in science and technology, paving the way for a new generation of women in research, engineering, and innovation.

The way industrial facilities are monitored, public access to environmental information, and the use of online platforms that present data on industrial emissions were among the main topics discussed during trainings held at the Ministry of Environment between 10 and 12 March 2026. The training covered issues related to the implementation of the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) and its revised version (IED 2.0, 2024) conducted by the short terms expert Kaj Forsius from the Finnish Environment Institute.

The sessions presented methods by which authorities can verify whether businesses comply with environmental requirements, as well as tools that allow citizens to have access to information about the impact of industrial activities on the environment. Participants were familiarized with Best Available Techniques (BAT), BAT Conclusions (BATC) and BAT Reference Documents (BREFs) applicable to important industrial sectors, such as production of metal, cement, glass, chemical industry, waste treatment or large combustion plants. They also learned about Finland experience in implementing Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions, including the procedure for issuing an integrated environmental permit and the responsibilities of competent authorities in the environmental permitting and control process.

Representatives of the Ministry of Environment, the Environment Agency, the Environment Protection Inspectorate, as well as representatives of economic agents whose activities are associated with industrial emissions, participated in these trainings.

These series of trainings contribute to improving industrial pollution control, applying cleaner technologies, and protecting air quality and the environment.

The activity was carried out within the framework of the EU-funded Twinning project “Air Quality and Environment” targeting component 1: Air quality management, control and enforcement strengthened and implemented by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Lithuania and the Swedish Chemicals Agency.

This material was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Twinning project ”Air Quality and Environment,” funded by the European Union. The contents of this material are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Seven out of ten Moldovans are concerned about the state of the environment in the Republic of Moldova. Among the reasons for their concerns are, first and foremost, the impact on health and family, as well as on future generations, followed by the impact on agriculture, natural resources, the frequency of extreme weather events, and rising prices.

Thus, people react more strongly to the effects on health and the future than to economic issues perceived as abstract.

People are more receptive to adopting simple, low-cost behaviors, but need to be convinced when it comes to practices that require infrastructure and investment. 

These are some of the conclusions of the Public Opinion Barometer on Green Transition, launched on 18 March 2026, on Global Recycling Day. The research was conducted with the support of the European Union and UNDP Moldova.

“The study presented today is very valuable because it helps us understand how citizens, businesses, and institutions perceive environmental changes. At the same time, it reminds us that the green transition must go hand in hand with investments in infrastructure and practical solutions that make sustainable choices easier,” said Adam Grodzicki, Deputy Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.

“The Public Opinion Barometer shows that green transition is increasingly recognized as a priority in the Republic of Moldova. Public awareness of environmental challenges is growing, while businesses are showing greater commitment to responsible resource use and sustainable practices. At the same time, the survey results reveal that progress depends not only on awareness, but also on available infrastructure. That is why UNDP and partners invest in green solutions,” said Seher Ariner, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

More than half of respondents (55%) consider themselves informed about environmental issues, according to the Public Opinion Barometer on Green Transition, while 44% say they are not at all or only slightly informed. The major disparity lies in the level of education. There is a high level of awareness of major environmental issues, but information is unevenly distributed. Perception of these issues is stronger in areas associated with visible and direct effects (climate, forests, water), and less so in technical or systemic domains.

Perceptions of the environment are shaped by direct experience with local infrastructure and services. Thus, nearly 80% of respondents rated water supply services favorably, 74% rated wastewater and waste management services favorably, and 65% rated the cleanliness of local areas and the maintenance of green spaces positively. The overall perception is moderately positive for “basic” services, but “heavy” infrastructure (sewerage, roads) represents the core of the structural problems perceived at the local level.

The Public Opinion Barometer on Green Transition reveals a high potential for social acceptance of eco-friendly behaviors and solutions in the Republic of Moldova. The data show that simple, low-cost practices that are easy to integrate into daily routines predominate. As a practice requires additional infrastructure, investment, or organizational changes, the frequency of its adoption decreases.

Thus, among the behaviors adopted by 7 out of 10 respondents are walking, the rational use of energy and water, and disposing of waste in designated areas. In contrast, infrastructure-dependent practices are less widespread: plastic recycling (34%), separate waste collection (30%), more frequent use of public transportation (31%), and repairing household appliances (27%).

Regarding circular practices, the analysis finds that some solutions are already relatively widespread, but most are still adopted by only a minority of the population. “Household” solutions (especially composting) are easier to adopt, at 50%, while practices that depend on external supply chains (return, energy recovery) remain more limited: recycling (38%), energy recovery (27%), and packaging return (23%). Thus, the authors note that circularity is present but fragmented.

The study recommends that public policies and communication be grounded in the principles of health, safeguarding the future, and resource security, with economic considerations serving as a complementary rather than a dominant factor. Furthermore, interventions should focus on the infrastructure sectors that cause the most frustration (sewerage, roads, and sanitation) and inequalities in access. 

The public opinion barometer on the green transition was conducted by the CBS-AXA Center for Sociological and Marketing Research on behalf of UNDP Moldova through the project “Enabling an Inclusive Green Transition in the Republic of Moldova”, funded by the European Union. The survey was conducted on a sample of 1,335 adults, with data collected between 21 November and 9 December 2025, through in-home interviews in Romanian and Russian. The survey has a margin of error of ±2.7%.

The agricultural sector of Republica Moldova is facing major structural challenges, intensified by the severe impact of climate change. Recurrent droughts, extreme weather events and soil degradation, combined with volatile market prices, threaten food security and the economic stability of rural areas. In this context, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through sustainable and climate-adapted solutions is no longer just an opportunity, but a strategic necessity.

In response, the Team Europe Initiative “Sustainable Agri-food Systems” was launched with financial support from the Uniunea Europeană and the Czech Republic. With a total budget of EUR 8.5 million, the project is implemented by the Czech Development Agency and Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, in cooperation with the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre. It aims to promote climate-smart solutions, modernise agricultural practices and align the agri-food sector with EU standards.

Call information:
This call for proposals is one of the key operational tools under the “Sustainable Agri-food Systems – Business” component, managed by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova.

The objective is to support initiatives aimed at creating and strengthening sustainable agri-food value chains, developed and coordinated by associative SME structures.

The initiative targets different forms of SME associations that contribute, through complementary roles, to the efficient functioning of value chains. While commercially active structures facilitate joint production, processing and marketing, professional associations play a key role in sector coordination, support services, quality standards promotion, member training and cooperation facilitation.

The call is open to two categories:

1. Commercial SME associations (Lot 1);
2. Professional/representative SME associations (Lot 2).

Priority is given to value chains in the seed sector due to its strategic importance for productivity, climate adaptation and reducing dependency on imports.

Priority areas include:
• production, multiplication, processing and marketing of maize, sorghum, industrial hemp and cover crop seeds;
• integrated production systems and organic agriculture.

Special attention will be given to initiatives promoting drought- and flood-resistant varieties adapted to Moldova’s climate conditions.

The total call budget is EUR 250,000, with a maximum grant of EUR 50,000 per project.

Up to 5 projects will be funded, including at least 2 commercial initiatives.

Deadline for applications: 6 April 2026.

An online info session will take place on 26 March 2026 at 10:00.

Application rules:

EU leaders strongly condemn Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, which have led to the contamination of the Dniester River — the main source of fresh water for the Republic of Moldova. In this context, the European Union expresses its readiness to support Moldova in mitigating the environmental impact, including through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, while welcoming the swift assistance provided by Member States.

These findings are reflected in the conclusions adopted by the European Council at its meeting on 19 March 2026, where the Republic of Moldova is explicitly mentioned as being directly affected by the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The statement fits into a broader context in which the European Union is analyzing the regional effects of the conflict — from security and energy to environmental impact.

Thus, the Republic of Moldova is recognized as one of the countries directly affected by these developments, and EU support reflects its commitment to promoting stability, resilience, and security in the Eastern neighborhood.

Main results

As the Republic of Moldova advances in its European Union accession process, European integration is not limited to negotiations and reforms at the national level. It also entails concrete changes in the functioning of institutions, in the ways communities interact, and in the application of fundamental values such as transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability in everyday life. This transformation largely depends on the presence of strong local actors. Communities need organisations capable of mobilising citizens, fostering dialogue, building trust, and promoting collaboration between residents, local authorities, and the business environment.

In this context, the ActEU for Moldova – Mobilising Communities for EU Integration (2026–2028) project has been launched, implemented by a consortium consisting of People in Need, the National LEADER Rural Development Network, and EcoVisio, with financial support from the European Union.

Objective of the Call
The objective of this call is to strengthen the capacity of ten (10) Local Action Groups (LAGs) through a structured development programme. Selected LAGs will receive targeted support to enhance governance and management systems, develop technical skills and project implementation capacities, and strengthen long-term sustainability.

By strengthening LAG capacities, the project aims to expand the ability of local communities to actively participate in and contribute to the European integration process of the Republic of Moldova.

Stages of Support Implementation
Support for the 10 selected LAGs will be implemented in four consecutive stages:

Stage 1 – Organisational Capacity Assessment (OCAT): Each selected LAG will undergo an assessment using the OCAT tool, which will also include a greening audit, conducted with the support of EcoVisio experts.

Stage 2 – Development of Strategic Development and Action Plan (SDAP): Based on the results of the OCAT assessment and the greening audit, each LAG will integrate the findings into an individual Plan.

Stage 3 – Capacity Development and Tailored Mentoring: Identified gaps will be addressed through capacity-building measures, including training, mentoring, coaching, and technical assistance in areas such as strategic communications, fundraising, partnership development, and financial management.

Stage 4 – Access to Grants: LAGs that complete the previous stages will be eligible to apply for:

• Organisational Capacity and Institutional Strengthening Grant (€6,400)
• Sustainable Local Development Initiative Grant (€15,000 or €28,000)

Information for Applicants
Note: In parallel with this LAG call, People in Need will launch a separate call for ten (10) civil society organisations (CSOs). Organisations are encouraged to apply under the call that corresponds to their legal status.

Information Session: 20 March 2026 at 10:00. Registration required.

Documentation: Detailed information on selection criteria is available in the Applicant’s Guide.

Application Forms:

• Annex 1: Expression of Interest Form
• Annex 2: Declaration of Sole Responsibility

Deadline for submission: 1 April 2026, 23:59.

Email for applications: concurs@reteauarurala.md

Contact Information:
Cristina Dușa, Project Manager
Email: cristina.dusa@reteauarurala.md

The European Environment Agency (EEA) and its European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet) today welcomed the Republic of Moldova as a cooperating country, extending the EEA’s country network to 32 member and 7 cooperating countries across Europe. The EEA is one of the first EU agencies to integrate Moldova into its regular activities and operational structures.

The EEA Management Board formally endorsed Moldova today as a cooperating country of the organisation. With the Management Board’s endorsement today, Moldova becomes the seventh cooperating country of the EEA, joining the Western Balkan partners Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo¹.

Moldova’s landscapes and ecosystems form part of wider European ecological systems, and its environmental challenges often mirror those faced across the region. An oil spill, caused by Russian attack on a Ukrainian hydropower complex located on the Dniester River close to the border with Moldova, is currently affecting the wider river basin, including the Moldovan territory. Such incidents show that environment and climate challenges do not stop at national borders.

As Moldova has declared a state of environmental alert due to the oil spill, the Moldovan delegation was prevented from participating in the EEA Management Board meeting. Nevertheless, the moment has been marked by the messages sent by Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Gheorghe Hajder, Moldovan minister for the Environment, Leena Ylä-Mononen, EEA’s Executive Director and André Weidenhaupt, EEA chair of the Management Board.

Moldova’s cooperation with the European Environment Agency marks an important moment in its European integration journey. It is a concrete step both for Moldova and for the European Union, as we strengthen our cooperation and joint commitment to a healthy and sustainable environment that can strengthen our preparedness, security and resilience.

Jessika Roswall,

European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

The Republic of Moldova welcomes this new stage of cooperation with the European Environment Agency and its Eionet network. Joining this community of partners strengthens our capacity to develop evidence-based environmental policies, improve environmental data systems, and align our practices with European standards. At a time when Moldova is advancing important reforms of its environmental institutions, including the strengthening of the Environmental Agency, the experience and expertise of the EEA and the Eionet network will be invaluable. Access to reliable and comparable environmental data will allow us to better understand environmental challenges and design effective public policies. This cooperation will support our efforts to modernise environmental governance, improve data quality and transparency, and accelerate our alignment with the EU environmental acquis as part of Moldova’s European integration path.

Gheorghe Hajder

Republic of Moldova’s Minister of Environment

We are very happy to announce that the Republic of Moldova is joining the European Environment Agency as a cooperating country and becoming part of our network. Environmental challenges know no borders and cooperation is essential to address them effectively. We have already been working very constructively with Moldovan colleagues under the ongoing Energy Community project, and before that, as part of the ENI SEIS II East project. We look forward to further expanding this cooperation. Incidents such as the oil spill on the river Dniester are a testimony not only to common challenges we face, including those caused by war, but also to the solutions we can develop together. 

Leena Ylä‑Mononen

EEA Executive Director

On behalf of all the other 38 countries, I welcome Moldova as the 39th country in our Eionet family. Eionet connects people and expertise from across Europe, facilitating not only data flows but also knowledge exchange, allowing us to achieve our shared ambitions for a more sustainable Europe.

André Weidenhaupt

Chair of EEA Management Board

Roadmap for integration to the EEA

The European Environment Agency’s cooperation framework allows cooperating countries to engage in the Agency’s activities and become part of Eionet. Cooperating countries contribute to and benefit from shared environmental data, assessments and capacity‑building activities, supporting improved environmental governance and evidence‑based policymaking across Europe. Eionet consists of the EEA’s member and cooperating countries. The 32 member countries include the 27 European Union Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Türkiye.

Cooperation with the EEA forms part of the Republic of Moldova’s broader commitment to European integration. This was reaffirmed at the highest political level in the Joint Declaration following the first EU–Moldova Summit in July 2025, which references Moldova’s participation in selected EU agencies, including the EEA.

Moldova applied for European Union membership in March 2022 and was officially recognised as an EU membership candidate in June 2022 and began accession negotiations in June 2024. 

Cooperation between the EEA and Moldova will begin with a dedicated onboarding and diagnostic phase (2026 – 2028). The goals of this phase are to:

• Support Moldova in building the institutional and technical foundations for future gradual Eionet integration. 
• Provide a clear roadmap for environmental data reporting to EEA in line with the approximation to the EU environmental acquis. 
• Facilitate Moldova’s progressive participation in EEA systems, networks, and knowledge platforms. 

The cooperation is supported by the European Union through its external cooperation programmes.

Source: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/eea-and-eionet-welcome-moldova-as-a-cooperating-country

The contest is open to all active CoM East signatories in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Ukraine. Municipalities of any size are welcome, but each can submit only one application. Applicants should have developed a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan.

Winners will be recognised at a conference taking place on 20 May in Chisinau (Republic of Moldova).  Beyond certificates, winners gain visibility via CoM East channels and may receive a modest grant of up to €1,000 for follow‑up activities such as tree planting or local awareness campaigns.

To ensure balanced representation, Armenia and Azerbaijan are each expected to have one winner, Moldova two, and Ukraine four (two awards for large municipalities and two for medium/small municipalities). Two additional winners may be selected from across the region depending on the number and quality of applications.

The deadline for applications is 10 April.

The Covenant of Mayors East (CoM East) is the EU-funded project aimed at introducing the EU climate and energy initiative to the Eastern Partnership countries.

Find out more

Press release

Application forms are available in Armenian, Azerbaijani, Romanian, Ukrainian.

The post ‘Covenant of Mayors – East’ launches contest for sustainable municipalities in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Ukraine appeared first on EU NEIGHBOURS east.

The European Commission has delivered €189 million under the Moldova Reform and Growth Facility, following Moldova’s successful completion of 24 reforms. This highlights the significant progress the country has made to advance on its EU path. 

Out of this, €173 million will be paid directly into the state budget, and €16 million will support projects in Moldova through the Neighbourhood Investment Platform. Today’s disbursement comes on top of €289 million provided to Moldova in 2025. 

Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement said: “Moldova has again delivered on its EU commitments. Implemented reforms bring real benefits, from less paperwork to better online services and a cleaner environment. When our partners deliver, the EU should deliver too. Our funds will directly support Moldovans and help the country continue its EU path”. 

This payment follows Commission’s positive assessment of 24 steps completed by Moldova under the Reform and Growth Facility. Key reforms achieved aimed, among others, at reducing administrative burden for businesses, strengthening cybersecurity and emergency response, advancing the digitalisation of government services, improving budgetary transparency as well as strengthening the anti-fraud, asset recovery and judicial systems. National electricity and balancing markets were launched, and adoption of renewable energy scaled up. 

As part of the Growth Plan, Moldova is delivering on reforms on making the country more attractive for foreign investments. With this objective, in September 2025, the Commission launched a call for interest for the private sector to boost investment in Moldova, open for applications until June 2026. The initiative aims to build a series of transformative private investments in Moldova that that are eligible for support from the Commission and partner financial institutions.

The successful candidate will contribute to advancing renewable energy policy development and implementation across the Energy Community, supporting Contracting Parties in aligning with the EU acquis, and accelerating the clean energy transition. The role includes monitoring progress, supporting regulatory frameworks, and contributing to policy analysis and stakeholder engagement.

The candidate should be a citizen of an EU Member States or of any Contracting Party to the Treaty, including Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Applicants should have a University degree in economics, law, engineering, or another relevant field, at least five years of professional experience in the renewable energy sector, strong knowledge of EU renewable energy policies, excellent command of English, and communication skills.

For this position, the Energy Community Secretariat offers a tax-exempted monthly salary of €6,735. The final remuneration will be determined based on qualifications, experience, and outcome of the recruitment process.

The deadline for applications is 19 April.

Find out more

Press release

The post Energy Community Secretariat opens vacancy for Renewable Energy Expert appeared first on EU NEIGHBOURS east.

The European Commission has opened applications for its annual Blue Book Traineeship programme in October 2026.

The Blue Book Traineeship programme is a five-month paid internship offered by the European Commission, providing young graduates from around the world with hands-on experience in EU policymaking and administration. 

The October 2026 session will last for five months and give applicants the opportunity to apply to around 1,000 positions in the Commission’s many departments, services and agencies split between Brussels, Luxembourg and the national bureaus in the 27 EU Member States.

All EU citizens are eligible, and a limited number of positions are allocated to non-EU nationals, including from the Eastern Partnership, in specific Directorates-General or Services.

Traineeships are split into two types: Administrative Traineeships and Translation Traineeships unique to the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT). Scientific traineeships are also available at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).

Prospective applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, not have any prior work experience in the EU institutions in excess of six weeks, and be fluent in at least two EU languages, one of which must be English, French or German. 

Trainees are expected to have an open-minded approach to European issues, an interest in the Commission’s work, a proactive attitude and a willingness to work in a multicultural environment.

The selected trainees will receive a grant of €1,538.16 to cover their living expenses but must secure accommodation at their own initiative.

The daily work of a trainee consists of a diverse array of tasks, including attending and organising meetings, working groups, and public hearings, researching documents, answering citizens’ inquiries, and supporting the management of projects.

The application procedure will take place through the European Commission Authentication Service (EU Login) where applicants will need to register.

The deadline for applications is 7 April, 10am Brussels time.

Find out more

Press release

CLOSING DATE

April 7, 2026