The European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) is looking for an intern for EU Enlargement and Accession Technical Assistance at its Maastricht office in the Netherlands. The internship lasts three months, can start as soon as possible, and is open to Master's students or final-year students in EU law, European studies, political science, international relations, public administration or a related field. Applications close on 10 November 2026.
At Youth Works Hub, we read the full vacancy and listed every task and requirement below, so you can check your fit before you apply. You can also read how we verify every opportunity on our site.
EU Enlargement Internship Key Facts
🏛️ Organisation: European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
🎯 Role: Internship, EU Enlargement and Accession Technical Assistance
🧩 Team: EIPA's Luxembourg Centre for Judges and Lawyers (ECJL)
📍 Location: Maastricht office, Netherlands
📆 Duration: 3 months
🚀 Start date: Can be discussed, preferably as soon as possible
🎓 Who: Master's degree holders or final-year students in a relevant field
🗣️ Language: Excellent drafting skills in English (C1/C2)
💶 Funding: Not remunerated; a small allowance can be offered in certain circumstances
📄 Application: CV and motivation letter in PDF, in English
⏳ Application deadline: 10 November 2026
A Flagship Technical Assistance Programme for EU Accession
The internship supports the implementation of a flagship technical assistance programme that backs EU accession processes in nine candidate and potential candidate countries. The countries include Ukraine, Moldova, the Western Balkans and Türkiye.
The programme is run by EIPA's Luxembourg Centre for Judges and Lawyers (ECJL), which is looking for a highly motivated intern to help deliver it.
Working From the Maastricht Office Under the Project Manager
Although the programme is managed through the Luxembourg Centre, the intern works from the Maastricht office. You work in close collaboration with the project team and under the supervision of the Project Manager / Overall Coordinator.
Your contribution covers policy research, stakeholder coordination, reporting tasks and event support. All of it directly supports EU enlargement-related capacity building in public administrations and judiciaries.
Policy Research on Accession, the Acquis and Rule of Law
The first task area is policy research and analytical support. You conduct preliminary and targeted research on EU accession processes. The vacancy names the following topics:
📊 Progress in candidate countries
⚖️ Legal approximation and EU acquis chapters
🏛️ Rule of law, governance and judicial reform
Training Programmes, Materials and Policy Briefs
Alongside the research, the analytical role includes two further tasks:
🗂️ Support the preparation of programmes for training activities and training materials
📝 Compile background policy briefs for the Project Manager and experts
Daily Correspondence With Beneficiary Institutions
The second task area is stakeholder coordination and communication. You assist in daily correspondence with beneficiary institutions and with the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
Coordinating Experts and Institutional Partners
You support the coordination of activities with experts and institutional partners, which keeps the programme's activities moving between the project team and the people who deliver them.
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Seminars, Workshops and Online Training
You help organise and follow up seminars, workshops and online training. This includes logistical support: preparing meetings, opening online sessions and coordinating travel arrangements when needed.
Collecting and Processing Data on Activities
The third task area is reporting, monitoring and visibility. You collect and process data on activities, including:
👥 Participants
⭐ Evaluations
📈 Impact indicators
Monthly and Annual Reporting
You contribute to monthly reporting and assist in the preparation of annual reports.
News Items and Communication Materials
You draft news items and communication materials for EIPA newsletters and LinkedIn, which gives you writing practice for a professional audience in EU public affairs.
Hands-On Experience in EU Law, Enlargement Policy and Technical Cooperation
The vacancy describes the internship as a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in EU law, enlargement policy and technical assistance cooperation.
Which Studies Fit This Internship
The vacancy asks for a Master's degree (or final year) in one of these fields or a related one:
⚖️ EU Law
🇪🇺 European Studies
🗳️ Political Science
🌐 International Relations
🏢 Public Administration
Knowledge and Interests You Need
The profile asks for:
💡 Strong interest in EU enlargement, EU law, policymaking and governance reforms
📚 Solid understanding of EU law and EU institutions
🤝 Basic knowledge of EU accession negotiations and the acquis
Skills and Working Style
The vacancy also asks for:
🔎 Strong research and analytical skills
✍️ Excellent drafting skills in English (C1/C2)
🧭 Proactive, organised and able to work independently
Three Months, a Flexible Start and a Small Allowance
The internship lasts three months. The start date can be discussed, but EIPA would preferably have the intern start as soon as possible.
Student internships at EIPA are not remunerated, but in certain circumstances EIPA can offer a small allowance. The vacancy does not give an amount. If funding matters to your decision, ask the HR department before you apply, and see our guide to paid internships abroad to compare how internships are funded.
How to Apply
Submit your CV and a motivation letter of maximum one page, both as a PDF in English, through the apply now button on the vacancy page. Your application is forwarded to the relevant staff member(s), who will consider the possibilities for cooperation.
About EIPA
The European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) was created in 1981, on the occasion of the first European Council held in Maastricht, and is supported by the EU Member States and the European Commission.
Its core mission is to provide a mix of deep insights and practical knowledge about EU policies to all professionals related to EU public affairs, with the key objective of improving their skills and capabilities for effective management of the policies. Besides the Maastricht-based headquarters, EIPA has a centre in Luxembourg: the European Centre for Judges and Lawyers (ECJL).
How Your Data Is Handled (GDPR)
By submitting your application, you consent to the processing of your personal data for recruitment purposes by EIPA, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Your information is used solely to assess your suitability for the position and is not shared with third parties without your explicit consent. EIPA keeps your data no longer than necessary for the recruitment process or, with your consent, for future opportunities. You have the right to access, rectify or request deletion of your data at any time. For more information, or to contact the Data Protection Officer, use the address in the Links section.
Questions About the Internship
For practical information, you can contact the EIPA HR Department by email. The address is in the Links section at the end of this post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the EIPA EU enlargement internship based?
The internship is based at the Maastricht office in the Netherlands. The vacancy comes from EIPA's Luxembourg Centre for Judges and Lawyers (ECJL), but the intern works from Maastricht.
How long does the internship last, and when does it start?
It lasts three months. The start date can be discussed, and EIPA would preferably have the intern start as soon as possible.
Is the EIPA internship paid?
Student internships at EIPA are not remunerated. In certain circumstances EIPA can offer a small allowance, but the vacancy gives no amount.
Who can apply?
The vacancy asks for a Master's degree (or final year) in EU law, European studies, political science, international relations, public administration or a related field. The vacancy lists no nationality requirement.
What language level do I need?
You need excellent drafting skills in English (C1/C2). Your CV and motivation letter must also be written in English.
What does the intern actually do?
The work covers policy research on EU accession, stakeholder coordination with beneficiary institutions and experts, event support for seminars, workshops and online training, and reporting, monitoring and communication tasks such as monthly reports and newsletter items.
How do I apply?
Send your CV and a motivation letter of maximum one page as a PDF in English through the apply now button on the vacancy page. The link is in the Links section at the end of this post.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 10 November 2026.
Who do I contact for practical questions?
Contact the EIPA HR Department by email. The address is in the Links section at the end of this post.
Find more placements like this one in the Internship category on Youth Works Hub.
Deadline
⏳ 10 November 2026
Links
🔗 Vacancy and application (apply now button): https://www.eipa.eu/vacancy/internship-vacancy-eu-enlargement-and-accession-technical-assistance/#apply
🏛️ About EIPA: https://www.eipa.eu/about-us/
📧 HR Department, practical information: recruitment@eipa.eu
🛡️ Data Protection Officer and GDPR information: info@eipa.eu
