Are you passionate about European culture, multilingual collaboration, and the cultural sector? EUNIC Netherlands is offering a unique, paid six-month internship for students and recent graduates who want to gain hands-on experience working with some of Europe’s most prestigious cultural institutes and embassy cultural departments. This internship is a rare opportunity to step into the heart of European cultural diplomacy, right in the Netherlands. Read on for everything you need to know about eligibility, responsibilities, and how to apply.
What Is EUNIC Netherlands?
EUNIC stands for European Union National Institutes for Culture. It is a global network of European cultural institutes and cultural departments of embassies that collaborate to promote European culture, diversity, and shared values across the world. In the Netherlands, the EUNIC cluster brings together member organisations from across Europe to run joint cultural programmes, events, and projects throughout the year.
The cluster’s work is rich and varied. In the latter half of 2026, the focus centres on three major initiatives: the European Day of Languages, the Zoöp Connections project, and the Fair P(L)AY programme. The intern recruited through this call will play a central supporting role across all of these exciting areas.
What makes EUNIC Netherlands particularly special is its collaborative, multi-institutional nature. As an intern, you will not be working for just one organisation. You will be embedded across the cluster, attending work visits at different member institutes, gaining exposure to how European cultural diplomacy operates in practice, each institute with its own cultural identity and working style.
Internship Overview:
Before diving into the details, here is a quick snapshot of the key facts about this internship.
At a Glance
- Organisation: EUNIC Netherlands
- Location: Randstad area, Netherlands
- Duration: 6 months (August 2026 to January 2027)
- Days per week: 3 days (remote work possible with required in-person presence)
- Stipend: Yes, a stipend is available
- Working language: English
- Application deadline: 25 May 2026 at 23:59
- Contact email: intern@eunic-netherlands.eu
Who Should Apply?
This internship is designed for someone who is curious, motivated, and genuinely excited about European culture and the cultural sector. Whether you are currently enrolled in a degree programme or have recently graduated, this position could be a transformational step in your early career.
Academic Background
The internship is best suited to students or recent graduates with studies in one or more of the following fields:
- European Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Project Management or Event Management
- Communications
- Marketing
If your studies touch on any of these areas, you are encouraged to apply. EUNIC Netherlands explicitly welcomes applications from students of all cultural backgrounds. Diversity is not just a box to tick, it is something the cluster actively values and reflects in everything it does.
Location Requirement
Candidates must be living in the Randstad area of the Netherlands, or be willing and able to relocate there for the full duration of the internship. The Randstad is the densely connected urban region in the west of the Netherlands that includes Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. While remote work is supported, the intern will be expected to show up physically at member institute offices and events on agreed dates.
Enrolment Requirement
All successful candidates must be able to provide proof of enrolment for the duration of the internship period. This is a non-negotiable requirement and applies to all applicants.
What Will You Be Doing?
The EUNIC Netherlands intern takes on a broad and dynamic workload that spans two core areas: project and communication support, and administrative and cluster coordination. Here is a detailed look at what your responsibilities will include.
Project and Communication Support
This is the creative and public-facing side of the role. Your responsibilities here will include:
- Supporting the organisation, marketing, and communication of all cluster projects, including Zoöp Connections, European Literature Night, Fair P(L)AY, and the European Day of Languages
- Delivering and developing content for EUNIC Netherlands’ social channels, including the website, newsletter, Instagram, and LinkedIn
- Developing and implementing a communications strategy for the full 2026 cluster programme
- Creating dedicated campaign content for the European Literature Night
- Producing short video content such as Instagram Reels that explain the purpose and ethos of Zoöp Connections
- Supporting the development of EUNIC promotional materials and visibility tools
- Encouraging member organisations and partners to submit content and keep their information up to date
- Responding to project-related queries from EUNIC members and partners
If you enjoy storytelling, content creation, and communicating complex ideas to wider audiences in an engaging way, this part of the role will be especially fulfilling.
Administrative and Cluster Coordination
Behind every successful cultural programme is a solid administrative foundation. In this part of the role, you will be responsible for:
- Planning and preparing monthly EUNIC Netherlands cluster meetings, including drafting agendas, sending invitations, and following up with reminders
- Writing and distributing minutes after each cluster meeting
- Answering enquiries from member organisations and maintaining the members’ mailing list
- Sharing relevant updates with EUNIC Global and other EUNIC clusters around the world
- Supporting the drafting of reports and funding applications in collaboration with EUNIC member organisations
This side of the role is perfect for someone who thrives on structure, enjoys keeping things running smoothly, and understands how important clear and timely communication is in a multi-stakeholder environment.
Personalised Learning Objectives
One of the standout features of this internship is that it is not a one-size-fits-all experience. EUNIC Netherlands is committed to working with the intern to jointly define additional learning objectives and activities that align with their academic interests and professional goals. The experience is shaped in collaboration with you, not handed down to you.
Skills and Qualities They Are Looking For
EUNIC Netherlands has outlined a clear profile for the ideal candidate. Here is what they are specifically seeking.
Essential Qualities
You should be able to demonstrate the following:
- Proactive, organised, and comfortable managing multiple responsibilities in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Strong written communication skills in English
- Genuine curiosity about European cultural policy and the broader cultural sector
- The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team
Bonus Skills (Not Essential, But a Plus)
The following skills will strengthen your application, though they are not mandatory requirements:
- Content creation and copywriting
- Basic graphic design using Canva or a similar tool
- Familiarity with WordPress and Google Workspace
- Experience in social media management
- Video editing for short-form content such as Instagram Reels
If you already have some of these skills, make sure to highlight them clearly in your CV and motivation letter. If you do not have all of them, do not be discouraged — EUNIC Netherlands values enthusiasm and potential just as much as prior experience.
Recruitment Timeline:
Here is the full recruitment timeline for the EUNIC Netherlands Internship 2026:
- Call opens: 15 May 2026
- Application deadline: 25 May 2026 at 23:59
- First round interviews: Week of 1 June 2026
- Second round interviews: Week of 8 June 2026
- Decision communicated: Mid-June 2026
- Internship start date: August 2026
Please note that the application deadline has now passed. If you missed this round, keep an eye on the EUNIC Netherlands website for future opportunities.
How to Apply:
To apply, you must submit a complete application package. Incomplete applications will not be considered eligible under any circumstances.
What to Submit
- An up-to-date CV
- A motivation letter addressed to Simon de Leeuw
Both documents must be included in the same submission. Missing either one will result in your application being disqualified.
Where to Send Your Application
Send your full application by email to intern@eunic-netherlands.eu with the subject line: “EUNIC Netherlands Internship Application”
The deadline was 25 May 2026 at 23:59. Applications received after this time were not considered.
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