Policy and Advocacy Internship
Location: Brussels (on-site only)
Duration: Minimum 3 months
EU DisinfoLab is seeking a Policy and Advocacy Intern to support our work tracking and responding to EU policy developments related to the fight against disinformation. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in European policy-making while contributing to one of the most pressing challenges for democracy and information integrity today.
The internship is based in Brussels and is not available remotely. The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of our Senior Policy Expert with over 20 years of experience in European institutions and public affairs.
Tasks and skills
- Monitor EU-level initiatives: Track legislative and non-legislative developments related to disinformation across EU institutions and bodies.
- Conduct policy analysis: Analyse relevant EU policies and proposals to assess their implications for information integrity and democratic resilience.
- Identify emerging trends and developments: Proactively follow and flag significant updates on ongoing or new EU policy files.
- Track specific policy areas, such as, the EU Democracy Shield, the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and Draft Council Conclusions and related communications
- Support briefing and reporting: Draft internal summaries, policy notes, and briefings to inform the team and guide our policy/advocacy efforts.
- Engage in learning and strategy design: Participate in team discussions to understand how policy monitoring translates into strategic recommendations and advocacy actions.
What you will learn
- How the EU legislative process works in practice, with a focus on media, tech, and democracy-related files;
- How civil society organisations engage with EU institutions and stakeholders.
- How to turn complex policy developments into actionable insights;
- How advocacy and policy-shaping strategies are developed in a fast-moving political landscape;
Please note applications need to fulfil all requirements, as described hereunder.
Internship requirements:
- Eligibility: We only accept interns who are currently enrolled in an academic curriculum. This ensures that the internship is an integral part of their educational development.
- University agreement: A signed internship convention with the student and their academic advisor is mandatory for all interns.
- Duration: The internship must be a minimum of 3 months.
- Compensation: As per Belgian law, EU DisinfoLab will not provide compensation for the internship.
- Location: Interns are required to be present at our Brussels office at least three days a week. Remote internships are not an option.
Internship additional missions:
Our interns are entrusted with diverse responsibilities that may include, but are not limited to:
- Drafting, editing, and proofreading our newsletter and other publications
- Contributing to the organisation of our events and webinars
- Supporting our EU project work
- Assisting with research efforts on disinformation and information manipulation
This variety of tasks ensures a well-rounded experience that prepares interns for future careers in the field.
Application process
The deadline to apply for this position is 18 May. To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to recruitment@disinfo.eu, with the subject line: “Policy internship application – [Firstname Lastname]”. Please specify the potential start and end dates for your internship as well as information about your academic curriculum and an administrative point of contact at the University.
By joining us as an intern, you will not only contribute to our mission of combating disinformation but also gain essential skills and insights that will help you succeed in your future career. We are committed to providing an enriching experience that prepares our interns for the challenges of the professional world.
We look forward to hearing from you!