Mission

Energy Cities is looking for an intern who can contribute to launching a campaign on heat decarbonisation for the Covenant of Mayors Europe and building partnerships and media relations to increase the initiative’s outreach.

Heating accounts for roughly half of energy consumption in Europe’s buildings, mainly fueled by fossil fuels. For the EU to phase out gas and fossil fuels, it’s crucial to decarbonise the heating sector at local level. Cities and towns can play a game-changing role in reducing emissions in the heating sector.

The Covenant of Mayors – Europe is launching a one-year campaign raising awareness and empowering local authorities to transition away from fossil fuels by undertaking comprehensive heat planning and embracing sustainable collective district heating.

As an intern in this mission, you will help the Covenant of Mayors team develop the campaign and create partnerships with media or other outlets to ensure visibility. You will also contribute to Energy Cities’ communication and media work, helping the organisation position itself on topics following its current policy priorities.

The Covenant of Mayors is the world’s largest movement for local energy and climate action. In Europe, over 10,000 cities are taking action to secure a better future for their citizens.

To know more

Responsibilities

• Work with the Covenant of Mayors communications team to support in crafting messages, building partnerships and creating content around the campaign focusing on heat decarbonisation at local level.
• Map out media journalists, influential personalities and thought leaders working on the topics covered by the campaign, as well as other priority topics for Energy Cities.
• Explore and identify media outlets for the Covenant of Mayors initiative and Energy Cities, to broaden outreach and amplify messages.
• Support in the development and update of media lists, databases and templates
• Initiate contact with such outlets to start building long-term partnerships.
• Help identify best practices and support to develop stories for Covenant of Mayors and Energy Cities’ channels in different written and visual formats: blog articles, social media content, graphic content, case studies, short videos.
• Help manage and implement the campaign on social media channels, reinforcing connections with potential amplifiers and thought leaders on social platforms.
• Attend and follow relevant meetings with the European Commission, partners, and other stakeholders to gain understanding of the political landscape and contribute to campaign narrative.

Background & eligibility

Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a university studies.

Candidates should have an academic background, ideally in communications/media relations and/or political science, with a strong interest for energy and climate policies.

Academic level: Master

Skills

• Excellent writing skills and strong interest in storytelling.
• An understanding of the energy and climate political landscape in Europe.
• Basic command of computer software (Office Suite, WordPress) and experience with graphic tools (mainly Canva).
• Experience and interest in social media strategy and content creation.
• Strong eye for detail and quality.
• Solid creative and analytical skills.
• Good organizational, communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to work in an international context.
• Ability to work autonomously and show initiative.

Languages

• Excellent command of English (C1) 
• Any other language, especially European, is an asset.

Working conditions

An internship contract must be signed with the university.

Workplace location: Energy Cities Brussels

Dates of the internship: June – November 2024

Financial conditions: 935€/month + meal vounchers

Duration:  6 months (with 1 holiday per month of internship)

Do you want to join?

• Candidates must be enrolled in a university.
• Candidates must have the legal right to work and live in Belgium.
• To apply, please send a motivation letter and your CV using the form below by 10 May, 2024.