Entrepreneurship in the territories: is it the right time?
The Policy & Advocacy department advocates for policy change at European, national, and regional levels to ensure that government policies empower and encourage community‐led initiatives on climate change and sustainability. Co-creation is central to our work – we collaborate with diverse groups to co-create powerful policy demands and recommendations. We also promote awareness and understanding of EU policy development and implementation among ECOLISE members to build our collective capacity to engage with policymakers.
Relevant links:
Role description:
- Monitor and report on EU policy developments (online news, institutional websites, and conference attendance)
- Conduct research on EU policy topics: environment, climate, agri-food, regional and rural policy, ...
- Support the advocate team in their day-to-day activities notably: policy position processes (in 2025: food systems & biodiversity), outreach to EU policymakers, collaboration with sister organisations, ...
Task Plan (indicative):
- Month 1: Induction and familiarisation Introduction to the organisation, its mission, structure, and key EU policy areas (environment, climate, agri-food, regional and rural policy).
- Familiarise yourself with the EU institutions and decision-making process as well as with ECOLISE’s policy work.
- Start monitoring EU policy developments through online news and institutional websites.
- Attend relevant EU policy webinars or conferences.
- Shadow the advocacy team in their daily activities.
- Training on internal tools (PowerPoint, Canva, Monday.com) and systems.
- Month 2: Policy monitoring and research Track EU policy updates and produce regular reports.
- Conduct initial research on key policy issues related to environment, climate, agri-food, and rural policy.
- Collect relevant documents from EU institutional websites.
- Start drafting briefing notes or summaries based on research.
- Help prepare presentations and advocacy materials for internal and external use.
- Month 3: Policy analysis and advocacy support Undertake in-depth research to support the development of policy positions.
- Contribute to the development of policy briefings and advocacy documents.
- Attend EU meetings, webinars or conferences and provide summaries or reports.
- Start supporting outreach efforts to EU policy makers and consult with sister organisations.
- Help organise meetings or workshops with stakeholders.
- Month 4: Developing an advocacy strategy Participate in internal strategy discussions with the advocacy team for upcoming policy positions.
- Support the development of key messages and materials for outreach to EU policy makers.
- Continue to monitor relevant policy updates and contribute to advocacy reports.
- Help coordinate external communications and cooperation with partner organisations.
- Month 5: Policy outreach and stakeholder engagement
- Assist with outreach to EU policymakers, including scheduling meetings and preparing briefing materials.
- Support the development of advocacy campaigns and events.
- Engage more directly with sister organisations in joint initiatives.
- Continue to research new developments in EU policy with a focus on environment, climate, and food systems.
- Support the organisation of stakeholder roundtables, workshops, or conferences.
- Month 6: Final contributions and
- Finalise any ongoing research or advocacy projects (here is a list of our projects: ://ecolise.eu/how-we-do-it/projects/)
- Help draft final policy position papers and outreach strategies.
- Help organise a major stakeholder event or policy roundtable.
- Evaluate and report on the results of the monitoring and advocacy activities conducted during the placement.
- Present a summary of your contributions and lessons learned to the advocacy team & the ECOLISE team.
