The European Youth Forum is the biggest platform of youth organisations in Europe. We represent more than 100 youth organisations, bringing together tens of millions of young people from across Europe.

We work to ensure that young people can actively participate in shaping the societies they live in. We advocate for their rights, needs and interests, and support youth organisations as essential spaces for participation, democracy and community building.

We believe that young people are powerful agents of positive change and that their voices should be heard in the decisions that affect them.

We are currently recruiting a Communications Officer based in Brussels to join our Communications and Outreach Department. The successful candidate will be part of a Communications team of four and will work closely with colleagues across the Secretariat and with the European Youth Forum Board.

The role has a particular focus on creative content writing, website management and media relations.

What you’ll do

In this role, you will help turn the European Youth Forum’s policy, advocacy and organisational work into communications that are clear, engaging and accessible.

You will work across different topics and formats, from website articles and press releases to social media content, videos, visual materials and campaigns.

A key part of your role will be to help shape and maintain the European Youth Forum’s tone of voice, bringing creativity, clarity and consistency to our communications. You will write and edit content for different audiences, help translate complex policy developments into accessible stories, and ensure a high standard of written English across our communications and publications.

You will also take a leading role in managing our website, ensuring that it is up to date and accurately reflects our work, values and policy positions. This includes coordinating with external web agencies when technical development or support is needed and identifying opportunities to improve the way our content is presented.

On the media relations side, you will help strengthen the European Youth Forum’s media network, including relationships with EU-focused and independent news outlets. You will monitor media opportunities, coordinate incoming requests, and connect journalists with the most relevant youth spokespeople.

You will also contribute to:

developing communications strategies, campaigns and creative projects;
creating content for social media and other digital channels;
organising events, creative actions, stunts and meetings;
monitoring communications trends and experimenting with new formats and approaches;
evaluating the reach and impact of our communications outputs to help inform future campaigns and priorities.

Our Communications team works closely together, and responsibilities are shared according to priorities and needs. The exact balance of the role may therefore evolve over time depending on organisational priorities, team needs and professional development.

Why this role matters

Good communication can make the difference between an important policy position being understood or being overlooked.

This role will help make the European Youth Forum’s work more visible, accessible and relevant to policymakers, journalists, Member Organisations, young activists and wider audiences.

You will help tell the stories behind our advocacy, make complex European policy debates understandable, and ensure that young people’s perspectives are heard in public conversations.

If you enjoy finding the human story behind policy, spotting the angle that will make people pay attention, and creating communications that can support real political and social change, this role offers plenty of room to do exactly that.

What we are looking for

Experience and knowledge

We are looking for someone who brings:

An excellent command of written and spoken English, equivalent to native-level proficiency
At least one year of relevant experience in content writing, media relations or communications; this may include professional experience, internships, volunteering or similar engagement
Experience within the NGO, civil society, youth or related sectors
Experience using content management systems (CMS); experience with Craft CMS is particularly welcome
Proven experience producing strong written content for external audiences
Experience with social media and creative tools such as Canva, CapCut, Adobe Creative Cloud, or similar platforms, which would be an asset
An interest in youth rights, democracy, inclusion and community building
Experience or interest in creative campaigning, activism or communications stunts, which would be a strong asset

Competencies

We are looking for a colleague who is:

A strong and creative writer, able to adapt tone, style and messaging to different audiences and formats
Curious, resourceful and keen to learn
Able to identify strong communications angles and stories
Comfortable working collaboratively as part of a team and openly sharing ideas, successes and lessons learned
Well organised, with strong time management skills and the ability to balance several priorities at once
Able to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Proactive and solution-oriented, while also able to critically assess requests, manage expectations and prioritise workloads
Adaptable and comfortable working in an environment where priorities may change
Sociable and at ease in a multicultural and international environment
Committed to the values, vision and mission of the European Youth Forum

What we offer

We offer a full-time fixed-term contract of one year (35 hours per week), with the possibility of extension. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible, ideally at the beginning of November.

The gross monthly salary, in line with the Collective Bargaining Agreement currently applied at the European Youth Forum, is €2,809.

In addition, the position includes the following benefits:

A relocation package (subject to budget availability)
DKV Hospitalisation and A-Z insurances
Eco-cheques (on a pro-rata basis)
5 extra-legal holiday days (on a pro-rata basis)
A STIB annual subscription

The position is based in Brussels and offers the opportunity to work in an international environment at the heart of European youth advocacy.

You will join a collaborative Communications team and have the opportunity to work on a broad range of issues affecting young people across Europe, including democracy, youth rights, inclusion, climate and civic participation.

Please note that this role requires a degree of flexibility. The successful candidate should be willing to travel and to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends when necessary. Overtime can be recuperated through time off in lieu, and evening and weekend overtime is also compensated.

Selection process

To apply for this vacancy, please click on “Apply now” and complete the application form by:

filling in your personal details;
uploading your CV;
answering the questions included in the application form;
links or examples of three pieces of written content you have produced;
a short blog article for the European Youth Forum website about your application, submitted as a PDF;
a short media quote on behalf of the President of the European Youth Forum, also submitted as a PDF. You are free to choose any topic that the European Youth Forum is currently working on.

Instead of a traditional cover letter, these exercises are intended to give you the opportunity to show us how you write, adapt your communication to different formats and audiences, and bring ideas to life.

The application deadline is 15 September 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Interviews are expected to take place on 28, 29 and 30 September 2026.

Please note that applicants must already be authorised to work in Belgium. We are unable to sponsor a work visa or work permit for this position.