F.A.Q. about Volt Europa internship positions

Application Process

  1. How do I apply? You can apply by filling out the application form linked in the internship vacancy. Make sure to follow all instructions listed there.

  2. What documents are required? Usually a CV and a short motivation letter. Some positions might also ask for a short video introduction or send you a task to complete as part of the selection process.

  3. Can I apply for multiple positions? Yes, you can apply for more than one position if you think you're a good fit. Just make sure to tailor your application to each role instead of sending the same one everywhere.

Eligibility

  1. Who can apply? Everyone is welcome to apply. You don't need to be a student, but if you are, we can adapt the internship to fit your study schedule.

  2. Do I need to be a Volt member? No, you don’t need to be a member to apply, but if you're selected, you’ll need to become one before starting your internship. Of course, if you're already a Volter, we value your internal knowledge of the organisation. If you wish to become a member, click here!

  3. Is there an age or education requirement? There is no strict age or degree requirement, but you must be legally an adult in your country of residence.

  4. Do I need to speak multiple languages? English is required. Other languages are a plus but not mandatory.

Internship & SVP Details

  1. What is the difference between an Internship and the Structured Volunteering Program (SVP)? At Volt, we distinguish between two types of engagement to ensure we follow fair labor practices:

    • Internships: These are paid, full-time positions (usually based in the Netherlands or France) where you act as an employee. The focus is on professional training and daily operations.

    • Structured Volunteering Program (SVP): This is a flexible, unpaid leadership track for those outside our payroll countries or those needing a flexible schedule. You act as a Volunteer Leader. The focus is on project ownership, political impact, and obtaining university credits through role-based achievements rather than logged hours.

  2. When do positions start and how long do they last? Most positions (both Internships and SVP) begin in August or September and last 6 months. However, the SVPs are more flexible.

  3. Remote or IRL? All positions are remote by default. We have an office in the Netherlands you are welcome to visit, but our workflows are fully digital.

Compensation & Credits

Are positions paid?

  • Internships: Yes. We currently have payroll set up in the Netherlands and France. If you are eligible for a contract in these countries, you will receive a standard monthly stipend.

  • SVP: No. The Structured Volunteering Program is a voluntary contribution to the movement. However, we cover reasonable work-related expenses (such as software tools or specific travel needs) upon approval.

Why can’t you pay interns in other countries? We aim to pay for all work. However, as a non-profit organization, navigating labor laws and payroll taxes in 30+ countries is currently beyond our administrative capacity. Therefore, we can only offer paid contracts where we have a legal entity established. For everyone else, we developed the SVP to ensure you can still gain experience without us violating labor laws.

Can I get university credits for the SVP? Yes. We can sign an agreement with your university to validate your experience.

  • Important Note: Since the SVP is a volunteer role, we do not track or log specific working hours and cannot sign contracts that require a timesheet. Instead, we provide Role-Based Verification, certifying that you successfully led a project or function for the duration of the semester. Please check if your university accepts role/outcome verification instead of hour logs.

Recruitment Timeline

  1. When will I hear back after applying? We aim to respond within 2–3 weeks after the vacancy closes. However, as a grassroots movement, teams may have different timing and capacity, so we kindly ask for your patience if you don't hear back immediately.

  2. Will I be contacted even if I'm not selected? Yes, you will absolutely hear back from us. We actively try to offer feedback calls to unsuccessful candidates to explain the decision, hear your thoughts on the process, improve our approach, and explore alternative opportunities within Volt for you.

During the Experience

  1. Will I have a supervisor? Yes, every intern is assigned a supervisor who will support and guide you. We also have an internal process to help you develop a personal development plan, and we can comply with most university internship requirements if you need specific documentation or a tailored setup.

  2. What kind of tasks will I do? Tasks depend on the team and role, ranging from communications and research to admin and project work. For more information, check the individual vacancies on our website.

After the Experience

  1. Can internships lead to longer-term involvement? Yes, many interns continue as volunteers or apply for team roles after their internship ends.

  2. Will I receive a certificate or letter of recommendation? Yes, upon request and successful completion of the internship.

Need more help?

You can write to [email protected] and/or the contact person listed in the vacancy.