CropLife Europe is hiring an EU Public Affairs and Communications Intern for a six-month paid placement at its Brussels office. The role sits at the intersection of EU legislative monitoring, stakeholder engagement and external communications, giving you hands-on exposure to how a leading European trade association shapes policy and tells its story to the world.
At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed this listing directly from CropLife Europe's careers page. It offers a genuine two-track experience: political analysis on one side and digital communications on the other. If you want to understand how EU policy is made and communicated from the inside, this role delivers both.
What CropLife Europe Does
CropLife Europe is a European trade association representing the crop protection sector. It develops and implements public affairs and communications strategies across EU institutions, working with member companies and stakeholders to engage with the European legislative process. Based in Brussels, it is embedded in the heart of the EU policy environment.
The Internship at a Glance
🌱 A six-month, paid, full-time placement in the Brussels office.
📋 Primary focus on the Public Affairs team, with a cross-functional communications dimension.
🤝 Close collaboration with colleagues across the organisation.
🏛️ Direct exposure to EU institutional developments, stakeholder engagement and Brussels-based policy events.
🎓 Skill-building in political analysis, policy writing, communications and project coordination.
Public Affairs Responsibilities
The public affairs side of this role is both analytical and operational. You will:
🔎 Monitor and analyse EU political and legislative developments, identifying their potential implications for European agriculture and the crop protection sector.
📝 Prepare concise political briefings, meeting reports, background notes and summaries of relevant policy developments.
📅 Maintain an up-to-date calendar of relevant EU institutional, political and stakeholder events, spotting opportunities for engagement and participation.
🎤 Monitor key policy events, hearings and conferences, providing timely updates and summaries of relevant discussions and outcomes.
📊 Support the preparation and coordination of the monthly Public Affairs team meeting: gathering inputs, preparing agendas and materials, and following up on agreed actions.
🗺️ Support the development and implementation of public affairs strategies and advocacy activities, including stakeholder mapping, engagement planning and meeting preparation.
🏢 Contribute to the coordination of CropLife Europe's public affairs activities, including supporting internal working groups and meetings with member companies.
📄 Support the preparation of briefing materials, presentations and other documents for engagement with EU institutions and stakeholders.
Communications Responsibilities
Alongside public affairs work, you will contribute to CropLife Europe's external communications output:
✍️ Work to translate policy developments and public affairs priorities into clear and accessible external communications.
💻 Support the preparation of digital content, including website articles, social media posts and other communications materials.
📰 Assist with media and social media monitoring to identify relevant developments and emerging issues.
🔗 Support coordination between public affairs and communications activities by drafting a weekly overview of latest and upcoming developments.
🎪 Contribute to the organisation and delivery of CropLife Europe events and communications initiatives.
What Makes an Ideal Candidate
CropLife Europe has set out the qualities it values most clearly. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
🧭 Political curiosity: a strong interest in EU affairs, political developments and the European legislative process.
🔬 Analytical thinking: the ability to understand complex information, identify key issues and translate them into clear, concise and relevant messages.
🗣️ Strong communication skills: excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to adapt information for different audiences.
⚡ Initiative and sound judgement: a proactive approach, the ability to take ownership of tasks and an understanding of when to seek guidance.
📌 Organisation and reliability: strong attention to detail, the ability to manage competing priorities and a commitment to delivering high-quality work on time.
👥 Collaboration: strong interpersonal skills and an interest in working with colleagues and stakeholders from different backgrounds.
Qualifications and Experience Required
The role is targeted at students and recent graduates. Specific requirements include:
🎓 Currently studying towards, or recently graduated with, a degree in European studies, political science, international relations, communications, law, economics or a related field.
🏛️ A good understanding of the EU institutions and their decision-making processes.
🌾 An interest in agriculture, sustainability, food security, innovation or related policy areas would be an advantage.
🤖 Familiarity with digital research, monitoring and communications tools, including the responsible use of AI-assisted tools, would be an asset.
📋 Previous internship or relevant professional experience is welcome but not essential.
What You Will Gain
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The internship is designed to build a well-rounded set of skills directly relevant to careers in EU public affairs, policy, communications or advocacy:
📈 Practical experience in EU public affairs and communications, with opportunities to contribute to ongoing policy and advocacy activities.
🏛️ Exposure to the EU policymaking environment, including institutional developments, stakeholder engagement and Brussels-based policy events.
✍️ Development of political analysis, policy writing, communications and project coordination skills.
🤝 Guidance and regular feedback from experienced colleagues in an international and collaborative working environment.
If you want to understand how internships abroad work before applying, Paid Internships Abroad for Students: How Funded Traineeships Really Work covers the full landscape of employer-paid and Erasmus+-supported placements, what they cover and what to look out for.
Work Authorisation Requirement
Candidates must hold the necessary authorisation to live and work in Belgium for the full duration of the internship. The nationality of the successful candidate is not specified in the listing, but you will need a valid right to work in Belgium before the placement begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this internship paid?
Yes. CropLife Europe describes this as a six-month paid internship. The exact monthly amount is not stated in the listing.
Do I need experience in crop protection or agriculture?
No. An interest in agriculture, sustainability, food security or related policy areas is listed as an advantage, not a requirement. The role is primarily about EU public affairs and communications skills, not sector expertise.
Is previous internship experience required?
No. CropLife Europe states explicitly that previous internship or relevant professional experience is "welcome but not essential."
What language skills are required?
Excellent written and spoken English is required. No other language is specified, though working in a multilingual Brussels environment will naturally expose you to other languages.
Are applications reviewed on a rolling basis?
Yes. CropLife Europe will review applications as they are submitted. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. Apply before the deadline to maximise your chance of early consideration.
What should I include in my application?
Submit a CV and a short cover letter explaining your interest in the position and what you would bring to the team. Use the subject line "Public Affairs & Communications Internship – 2026-2027".
Can I apply if I am not from an EU country?
Nationality is not mentioned in the listing. However, you must have the necessary authorisation to live and work in Belgium for the duration of the internship. This requirement applies regardless of nationality.
Deadline
⏳ 17 November 2026
Application Email
Subject: Public Affairs & Communications Internship – 2026-2027
Include: CV + short cover letter explaining your interest and what you would bring to the team.
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