So, You Want to Be a CoR Trainee? Here’s the Scoop on Cicero Traineeships!

Imagine this: You’re working in the heart of Brussels, surrounded by multiple languages flying around the office, sipping coffee while chatting about EU policies, and… oh yes, planning your own event! Sounds a bit like a movie, right? Well, welcome to the world of Cicero traineeships at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).

What’s the Cicero Traineeship, Anyway?

Think of it as a 5-month crash course in how a multilingual, multinational EU institution ticks, except it’s not just watching from the sidelines. You'll roll up your sleeves, tackle actual policy topics, and due to the fun-but-brilliant YFactor initiative, you'll get to start your own project. That could be a conference, a podcast, or even an eBook. Your creativity won't be sitting on the shelf here.

In a nutshell:

• Duration: 5 months
• Full-time: 40 hours/week
• Location: Brussels, Belgium (waffles included)
• Pay: Around €1,493/month
• Pick your top 3 CoR departments
• Travel & mobility allowance
• Optional health insurance + accident insurance included

The Calendar You Need to Tattoo in Your Brain

There are two main sessions, Spring & Autumn.

Spring Session

• Dates: 16 Feb – 15 Jul
• Apply: 1 Jul – 30 Sep (noon Brussels time) previous year
• Pre-selection & interviews: November
• Final selection: December

Autumn Session

• Dates: 16 Sep – 15 Feb
• Apply: 6 Jan – 31 Mar (noon Brussels time) same year
• Pre-selection & interviews: May
• Final selection: June

Pro tip: Don’t apply 5 minutes before the deadline unless you enjoy watching the spinning wheel of doom. High traffic can crash your dreams (and your application).

Official link

Who’s the Perfect Candidate?

• EU citizens
• Citizens from third countries can also apply, and may be selected in exceptional cases
• University graduates (full degree OR at least 3 years of higher education done)
• Fluent in one EU language + decent English or French
• Haven’t done more than 8 weeks of paid/unpaid work in any European institution before

How to Apply? (Without Losing Your Mind)

• Pick your departments (up to 3)
• Fill in every mandatory field (accuracy matters, they will check!)
• You can edit your form until the deadline
• Only 1 application per traineeship period
• No fake info, unless you like rejection emails

Bonus: Study Visits!

Not ready for 5 months? You can still get a taste of Brussels life with a study visit, perfect for thesis research or just seeing how EU policy magic happens.

Study visit quick facts:

• 1–4 months (can be extended to 6 months)
• Full-time, in Brussels
• Accident insurance included (but bring your own health insurance)
• Must prove funding OR that it’s part of your studies

Why This is Cooler Than a Regular Internship?

• You’re not just fetching coffee, you might be running your own event
• You get to network with people from across Europe (and beyond!)
• You’ll leave with a CV that says: “I worked at an EU institution”,  which is chef’s kiss for your career

Bottom line: If you’re passionate about Europe, want hands-on experience in shaping policies, and can handle both deadlines and chocolate overload, the Cicero traineeship might just be your next adventure.