For graduates under 30 from Euro-Mediterranean countries who want to build their first serious professional experience in international and intercultural work, at a prestigious intergovernmental institution, in one of the world’s most historically significant cities, this programme is worth your immediate attention.

The Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) Euro-Mediterranean Young Professionals Programme offers up to 11 months of full-time professional experience at the ALF Secretariat in Alexandria, Egypt, for young graduates from the 44 countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region. It is explicitly designed as a launchpad for careers in international relations, civil society, communication, and intercultural dialogue.

The application deadline is 27 June 2026 at 23:59 CET.

What Is the Anna Lindh Foundation?

The Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) is an intergovernmental foundation established by the 44 countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), spanning European, North African, and Middle Eastern member states. Named after the Swedish Foreign Minister assassinated in 2003, ALF is dedicated to fostering intercultural dialogue, civil society engagement, and human connection across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Its network includes over 4,700 civil society members across 43 countries, one of the largest intercultural civil society networks in the world. The ALF Secretariat, based in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt, coordinates this network and implements programmes connecting communities across the region.

Working at ALF gives you direct exposure to intergovernmental operations, multilateral civil society engagement, and cross-cultural communication at a scale that very few early-career positions offer.

What the Programme Offers

Successful applicants spend up to 11 months at the ALF Secretariat in Alexandria, gaining:

• Direct experience in the daily operations of an intergovernmental institution
• Immersion in a multicultural, multilingual professional environment
• Development of practical skills in intercultural dialogue, stakeholder communication, and international programme coordination
• Professional networks with like-minded practitioners and experts across the Euro-Mediterranean region
• Experience that directly enhances competitiveness in international careers in civil society, diplomacy, communications, and programme management

Alexandria itself is Egypt’s second-largest city, a Mediterranean port with a rich historical and cultural identity, a vibrant intellectual scene anchored by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and a cost of living that makes the experience financially manageable for young professionals.

The Four Professional Fields

Applicants choose from four tracks. Note that final placement is determined by the ALF Secretariat based on your background, experience, and their operational needs, not exclusively by your preference.

1. Civil Society

Contributing to the ALF’s network of 4,700+ civil society members across 43 countries. Supporting the coordination of intercultural activities led by Heads of ALF National Civil Society Networks, follow-up of Network activities and implementation timelines, organisation of online coordination meetings, stakeholder communication, and documentation.

Ideal for: Graduates in international relations, sociology, political science, development studies, or related fields with experience in civil society or community engagement.

2. Public Policies

Supporting the editorial lifecycle across ALF publication lines — maintaining communication with authors and peer reviewers, resolving publishing workflow issues, copyediting and proofreading, and maintaining internal tracking systems.

Ideal for: Graduates in political science, public policy, international relations, communications, or journalism with strong writing and editorial skills.

3. Corporate Communication

Contributing to the visibility and outreach of ALF’s work, developing creative content across platforms, human-centred storytelling about grassroots actions across the Euro-Mediterranean region, implementing outreach campaigns, coordinating online communication activities, and promoting ALF’s knowledge resources.

Ideal for: Graduates in communications, journalism, digital media, or marketing with creative content and storytelling skills.

4. Operations and Coordination

Contributing to the implementation and coordination of ALF programmes, initiatives, and events, preparing and following up on activities, coordinating with stakeholders and participants, managing logistical and administrative processes, and supporting project implementation across different operational phases.

Ideal for: Graduates in management, international relations, or related fields with strong organisational and coordination skills.

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Nationality: You must be a national of one of the 44 UfM countries. These include all EU member states plus Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey.

For African readers: Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Palestine are all UfM member states — nationals of these countries are eligible to apply.

Age: Under 30 at the programme start date of 1 September 2026.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (minimum). Master’s degree preferred.

English: Excellent written and oral communication — at least C1 level required.

Background: Demonstrated background in your chosen field of interest.

Key Dates

How to Apply

Complete and submit the online application form in English at the ALF’s official application portal. The form is available in English only. Submit before 27 June 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Visit the ALF website at annalindhfoundation.org for the current application link.

Honest Assessment

For Euro-Mediterranean graduates wanting to break into international and intercultural careers, the ALF Young Professionals Programme offers something genuinely rare, structured professional experience at a real intergovernmental institution with a meaningful operational mandate.

The placement in Alexandria rather than a European capital means the cost of living is lower and the cultural immersion is deeper. For graduates who want to work in the Euro-Mediterranean space professionally, this experience — on a CV, in professional conversations, and in building relevant networks — is directly career-relevant.

The limitation is geographic eligibility: only nationals of the 44 UfM countries can apply. And the age cap of under 30 at programme start makes this specifically an early-career opportunity.

If you are eligible, apply before 27 June 2026.

FAQ

Is this programme paid?
The programme documentation does not specify a salary or stipend amount in the provided information. Contact the ALF directly (via annalindhfoundation.org) to confirm the financial terms before applying.

Can I choose which field I work in?
You indicate a preference, but final placement is determined by ALF based on your background and their operational needs. You may also be rotated between fields.

Is housing provided?
The programme documentation does not specify housing arrangements. Contact the ALF Secretariat for details about accommodation support in Alexandria.

Is this open to Nigerian graduates?
Nigeria is not a UfM member state. Nigerian nationals are not eligible for this programme unless they also hold citizenship of a UfM member country.

Where is the ALF Secretariat located?
At the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt.

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the ALF Euro-Mediterranean Young Professionals Programme 2026/2027