Economic Development & Climate Innovation Advisor - Intern

Economic Development & Climate Innovation Advisor — Intern

BABLE Smart Cities · Intern

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey at the intersection of climate action, regional economic development, and European innovation policy? Look no further than BABLE – an organization that's revolutionizing smart cities and climate action initiatives. As we continue our mission to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors, we're thrilled to offer you an exclusive opportunity to join our dynamic team as a 6+ month intern, starting in June 2026.

About BABLE: BABLE Smart Cities is the Facilitator for Smart Cities in Europe, born as a spin-off from Fraunhofer Research Society. With a decade of experience in the field, we offer practical insights gained by practitioners, for practitioners.

Our mission is to accelerate change in the public and private sectors by providing market access and knowledge. We have already facilitated €2Billion in Smart City projects with cities, towns, and regions. Our free knowledge hub connects innovators and the public sector, providing access to the most comprehensive Smart City datasets and insights in Europe.

With a growing presence across Europe, we combine local knowledge with global best practices to implement more projects faster. Join us on the journey to a better urban life!

Internship Opportunity: We are excited to offer an internship opportunity in our Northern Europe team, starting in June 2026. As an intern, you will play an integral role in supporting our consultancy and Platform projects across climate action, regional economic development, EU policy, and innovation ecosystems.

What You Will Do:

You will actively contribute to our consultancy projects, spanning climate action, energy transition, and smart city initiatives in Northern Europe, as well as EU co-funded Smart Cities and Communities projects.

You will be responsible for conducting research and analysis on policy mechanisms, EU funding instruments, networking events, and innovative solutions within the realm of climate action, economic development, and urban innovation.

You will support the mapping and evaluation of relevant EU funding opportunities including Horizon Europe, ERDF, LIFE, EUCF, and EUI, and assist the team in developing concept ideas to help European cities and regions apply for funding.

You will contribute to the preparation of presentations, reports, policy briefs, and other strategic materials for public sector clients including municipalities and regional authorities.

You will assist in stakeholder engagement activities with public sector organizations, innovation ecosystem actors, startups, accelerators, and digital hubs, gathering insights and incorporating them into project development.

You will support the team in monitoring EU and national policy developments relevant to climate transition, regional competitiveness, and economic development across Northern Europe.

You will contribute to the project's outcomes, including support in writing deliverables, funding applications, and strategic recommendations.

What We Expect From You:

We're looking for exceptional individuals who share our passion for sustainability and innovation. If this is you, here's what we expect:

A can-do attitude!

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect different topics across climate, economy, and innovation in a structured and logical way.

Excellent research skills across policy, funding, technologies, and urban development.

Good communication skills and the ability to work in an international and multidisciplinary team.

Excellent command of MS Office tools, especially Excel and PowerPoint.

Ability to work independently and represent the organization in project meetings and stakeholder interactions.

Your Profile:

A mandatory internship as part of your curriculum is required.

Currently enrolled in or recently completed a Master's degree in: Economic Development, Public Policy or Public Administration, Urban or Regional Planning, Sustainability or Climate Change (with a policy or economic focus), Energy, or Business or Management (with a sustainability, innovation, or public sector focus).

A native or professional level of English in both written and spoken is required. Proficiency in German or a Northern European language may allow you to work closely with other teams, but it is not a requirement.

Basic understanding of climate action and energy transition concepts such as net-zero, renewable energy, and emissions reduction — deep technical expertise is not required.

Awareness of the EU policy and funding landscape, even at a high level (eg Horizon Europe, ERDF, LIFE, EUCF, EUI) is highly valued.

Foundational knowledge of economic development concepts including regional growth, clusters, skills development, and SME support.

General understanding of urban challenges and smart city topics including mobility, energy, digitalization, and sustainability.

Interest in innovation ecosystems and emerging technologies such as startups, AI, accelerators, and digital hubs.

Awareness of how public sector organizations operate, including municipalities, regional authorities, and multi-stakeholder environments.

While your academic background matters, what truly excites us is your potential to make an impact. Our team is a vibrant mix of engineers, geographers, economists, policy specialists, and urban planners, all bringing different perspectives to the table.

Why BABLE? We don't just offer internships; we provide opportunities for transformation. At BABLE, you'll find:

Global Collaboration: Be part of an international team with over 60 colleagues from diverse backgrounds, all united by English as our working language.

Growth Galore: Grow personally and professionally with training, coaching, and on-the-job support.

Innovation at Your Fingertips: Contribute to a movement that turns visionary ideas into reality.

Hybrid Working Opportunity: Enjoy flexible working hours.

Time to Recharge: Relish 24 days per year of annual leave on a full-time contract.

Tools of the Trade: Receive student-level pay of €720/month, complete with a laptop and tech equipment.

Seamless Onboarding: Experience a smooth transition into our team with buddy support.

Empowered Autonomy: Embrace a flat company structure that grants you the autonomy to make an impact.

How to Apply: We are accepting applications on a rolling basis for a June 2026 start. Apply by sending your CV and a concise motivation letter. Tell us your story, your aspirations, and your vision. If you're unsure whether your profile aligns with our expectations, reach out to us. Sometimes, the most exceptional candidates break the mold.

Join Our Inclusive Movement: BABLE Smart Cities proudly champions equal opportunities. We're committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, or gender identity. Your unique perspective is valued here.

Salary: €720 Monthly