(FOR DUTCH SPEAKERS/STUDENTS)

Are you looking for a challenging internship this spring where you can experience how Dutch businesses represent their European interests in practice? Are you interested in politics, society, and the European Union? Are you an enthusiastic student with an entrepreneurial spirit? Then we're looking for you!

Europe is in the spotlight. Policy is increasingly being determined in Brussels, and the European Commission's agenda for the coming years emphasizes competitiveness and resilience. The EU is also working on ongoing major projects in the areas of sustainability and digitalization. The resulting challenges in energy, inflation, and supply chains remain as relevant as ever. It is therefore essential for entrepreneurs and businesses to clearly articulate their interests in Brussels.

Who are we?

VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland are the largest business organizations in the Netherlands. Together, we represent the interests of our members, some 300,000 businesses in the Netherlands. We are committed to a promising business climate, both nationally and internationally.

To represent the interests of Dutch businesses in the European Union, VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland have a joint office in Brussels. From there, we communicate with organizations such as

the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Dutch Permanent Representation to the EU, fellow employers' organizations in Europe, the European umbrella organizations of employers such as BusinessEurope, SMEunited, and EuroCommerce, and many of our members.

What are you going to do?

• Managing the (online) communication channels of VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland

• Responding to information requests from members

• Supporting the Brussels office staff (including lobbying and writing articles)

• Attending and reporting on (committee) meetings of the European Parliament, BusinessEurope, SMEunited, and EuroCommerce, and other relevant meetings

• Monitoring EU decision-making procedures and screening European news for issues relevant to Dutch businesses

Who are you?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated student (third-year bachelor's or master's student) who will be enrolled at a Dutch educational institution for the entire internship period. An affinity for and/or experience with (online) communication and event organization is a plus. An affinity for and knowledge of the European Union and/or the Dutch business community is definitely a plus. Excellent written and spoken Dutch and English is a prerequisite.

Practical Information

The Brussels office is looking for an enthusiastic and driven intern for the period from February 2nd to July 31st, 2026. We offer competitive compensation for this internship. The internship will be based in Brussels.

For more information, please contact Friso Bouman at bouman@vnoncw-mkb.nl or by phone at +32 473 304 605.
Interested? Send your cover letter and CV to brussel@vnoncw-mkb.nl by November 23rd. Interviews will take place on December 1st at our head office in The Hague.