Trainee, EU Forest Governance

The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation with 30 member countries and around 130 member organisations. EFI undertakes forest research and policy support at pan-European and global level, with headquarters located in Joensuu, Finland. EFI has its other main offices in Bonn, Barcelona and Rome. Further information about the organisation is available at www.efi.int .

We are offering a traineeship on the topic on EU Forest Governance based in the Policy Support Facility. The Policy Support Facility works at the interface of science and politics by aiming to understand policymakers' questions and identifying and synthesizing scientific knowledge to provide answers and inform on knowledge gaps. In addition, we are engaged in preparing high-level policy support events and communication activities.

Currently, we are analysing all forest-related EU policies to identify systematically trade-offs in EU forest governance to inform decision-makers about this complicated policy landscape. In this regard, we are interested in understanding how the role of forests is perceived by the members of the European Parliament.

The trainee will support the scientific analysis of the perceptions of forests by the members of the European Parliament. We also offer the possibility to support activities related to awareness-raising, including the organisation of high-level events and writing content relevant for different target audiences (including younger citizens).

Your tasks will include:

• Support the implementation of the European Parliament forest study (text analysis, documentation and write-up)

• Support the organisation of high-level policy support activities.

• Support the development of communications activities (e.g. design, videos, graphs etc.) and content on current policy support topics.

• Other activities as agreed during the traineeship period.

Traineeship conditions:

• Duty station at EFI HQ in Joensuu, Finland (in person)

• Paid monthly traineeship allowance

• Duration of traineeship is for a period of 4 months

• Starting date: October 2025-January 2026

For more information about the post, please contact Helga Pülzl, helga.puelzl@efi.int. Closing date for applications is: 8th September 2025.

• Studying for a higher education degree. Academic background in political science, forestry, communication science or similar is encouraged, but not limited to.

• Excellent written and spoken English

• Ability to work with Microsoft Office

• Hands-on, proactive, independent

• Experience in designing and editing graphs /videos is an asset