Networks Cooperation Unit

The Directorate-General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships (DG PART) is tasked with fostering cooperation with national parliaments as well as coordinating the efforts made by Parliament liaison offices and representations outside of the European Union with the objective to streamline actions aimed at promoting and upholding parliamentary democracy in Europe and beyond.

Within the Directorate, the Network Cooperation Unit (NCU) was created in 2025 with the purpose of supporting administrative interparliamentary cooperation with European national parliaments, notably through staff networks, seminars and structured exchanges.

Our activities: 

• A flagship initiative is the Presidency Parliament Support Programme (PPSP), which facilitates experience-sharing with the administration of the parliament preparing to hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU;
• Our unit provides the Secretariat of the European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation (ECPRD) network, together with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). We host and manage the continuous development of the ECPRD web platform, coordinate statutory meetings and thematic seminars, and manage comparative requests among European parliaments;
• Our unit administers the EP’s participation in the Interparliamentary EU Information Exchange (IPEX) platform. NCU represents the EP within the IPEX network, including through a board member and correspondent, and participates in regular working meetings hosted by the chairing parliament and the EP in Brussels. IPEX serves as a one-stop-shop for information on legislative work and interparliamentary activities;
• Our unit also supports seminars and workshops between officials of the European Parliament and national Parliaments and organises bilateral visits of EU national Parliaments to the European Parliament.

The Unit’s work is centred on connecting EU Parliament’s administrations, facilitating dialogue and exchange, and providing reliable and timely services to both Members and officials of the European Parliament and of national Parliaments. We are a multicultural and multilingual team that values cooperation, precision, and initiative — and we welcome trainees as active contributors to our work.

As a trainee in the Network Cooperation Unit, you will support the team in a variety of operational activities, including:

• Assisting in the daily coordination of the ECPRD network: handling incoming requests, supporting the drafting of comparative notes;
• Supporting the organisation of seminars and workshops between European Parliament officials and officials of national Parliaments on various thematic and technical areas;
• Supporting IPEX activities: monitoring parliamentary documents and information published on the platform and preparing background materials or briefings for the unit or Members of the European Parliament, helping to organize the IPEX Board meeting in Brussels;
• Assisting in the Presidency Parliament Support Program and Capacity Building Projects: providing operational support for the parliamentary dimension of the EU Presidency, liaising with Presidency Parliaments, following up on projects for non-Presidency Parliaments, and preparing background materials and briefings;
• Helping with the organisation and follow-up of bilateral visits by national Parliaments to the European Parliament, including logistical support, drafting background notes, maintaining up-to-date information, including factsheets, on national parliamentary chambers and preparing programmes for the visiting delegations.

• Interested in politics, international relations, parliaments and parliamentary cooperation (diplomas in international relations, law, EU studies, political science or similar are an advantage, but not mandatory);
• Willing to learn all about the modalities, the complexity and the possibilities of the European Parliament´s cooperation with national Parliaments;
• Equipped with excellent drafting and analytical skills, very good interpersonal and relational skills and very good knowledge of English (knowledge of French or other European languages is an asset);
• Flexible and willing to take on a variety of tasks and integrate into a friendly, hard-working, multicultural team, which appreciates your fresh views and good questions;
• Already possessing an understanding of national politics or experience in a national Parliament/Chamber, be it campaigning, a traineeship, or involvement in political/civic organisations would be an asset;
• You have obtained/will obtain a university degree (level 6 of EQF or higher) at least three months before the starting date of the traineeship.

The European Parliament is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We welcome all candidates, regardless of their geographical, racial or ethnic origin, political or religious beliefs, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, civil status, or family situation.