🌍 A paid international traineeship opportunity is open for newly qualified graduates and railway professionals from the Western Balkans and Türkiye who want to gain hands-on experience within a European Union agency.
🌱 Opportunity Overview
The IPA Traineeships 2026 programme is implemented by the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and funded through the European Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). The programme allows selected trainees to contribute to the daily work of the Agency while gaining in-depth insight into EU institutions, railway policy, and technical cooperation at European level.
🎯 Who Can Apply
🌍 Nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, or Türkiye
🎓 University degree aligned with the Bologna process (minimum 3 years) or previous professional experience in the railway sector
🗣️ Very good command of the English language
📌 Priority given to applicants who have not previously completed a traineeship in an EU institution, agency, or body
📄 Required Documents
📑 Application form (PDF only)
✉️ Recommendation letter from a national authority or a public university
🩺 Certificate proving health insurance coverage
💼 What ERA Offers
⏳ Traineeship duration of up to 6 months
👤 Dedicated mentor throughout the traineeship
💶 Monthly grant provided
✈️ Reimbursement of travel expenses
🏖️ Paid leave
📚 Access to internal training opportunities reserved for ERA staff
📝 How to Apply
📄 Complete the official application form
📧 Send the application form and all supporting documents together in PDF format to
hr_trainees@era.europa.eu
🛂 Visa Information
If selected, applicants will be required to apply for a visa within the defined timeframe. Any visa-related costs will be reimbursed.
📅 Application Period
Open Date: 21 November 2025
Closing Date: 16 January 2026
📌 Important Note
Applicants from Kosovo* apply in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
🔗 Application Link
https://www.era.europa.eu/vacancy/call-interest-ipa-traineeships-2026
⚠️ Important Notice
1️⃣ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the project coordinator.
2️⃣ Responsibility for Content
The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy, details, and updates of the opportunity content.
3️⃣ Right to Modify or Withdraw
Coordinating organisations reserve the right to make changes after publication — including dates, activity details, or application deadlines — or to withdraw the announcement entirely.
4️⃣ Disclaimer of Liability
YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any such changes, updates, or cancellations made by the project coordinators.
💡 Final Note:
All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.
