Short-Term Consultancy: EU Advocacy Campaigner

ECOLISE has recently published Reclaiming the Future of Food: Community Pathways to Resilience, Justice and Regeneration, a policy publication developed over two years with more than 230 contributors across 24 countries. It presents thirteen policy recommendations from community-led initiatives for resilient, regenerative, and just food systems, addressed primarily to stakeholders in the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) process.

While food systems advocacy is the core of this assignment, ECOLISE’s policy agenda also spans biodiversity and housing. A profile with broader EU advocacy experience across these or adjacent areas is welcome and will be positively considered, particularly in view of a possible extension of the contract.

Key Information

Location: Brussels, Belgium (must be based in or within easy reach of Brussels)
Contract type: Short-term consultancy / freelance assignment, with possibility of extension into 2027 (subject to funding)
Duration: #of working days tbd, between late August and early December 2026
Total budget: €6,100 including VAT
Reporting to: ECOLISE Policy Lead
Application deadline: July 30th, 5pm CET

Purpose of the assignment

To actively promote ECOLISE’s food systems policy positioning — anchored in the thirteen recommendations of Reclaiming the Future of Food — within Brussels food systems and CAP-related policy circles during the current CAP post-2027 negotiation window, while also advancing ECOLISE’s visibility and positioning on biodiversity and housing policy where openings emerge.

The following tasks are indicative of expected outcomes and will be prioritised within the available budget. Applicants are invited to propose their own approach and workplan for delivering against them.

1. Representation at events. Identify and attend relevant Brussels-based events (conferences, hearings, stakeholder meetings, coalition gatherings) on behalf of ECOLISE, presenting its positioning where opportunities arise — prioritising food systems and CAP, and covering biodiversity and housing policy spaces where relevant.
2. Coalition and alliance work. Join, contribute to, and where relevant help build alliances and coalitions that advance ECOLISE’s advocacy goals, working with existing partners, and integrating ECOLISE demands into shared coalition asks as a resource-efficient advocacy route.
3. Stakeholder engagement. Plan, secure, conduct, and follow up meetings with key policy stakeholders, including MEPs and their advisors (notably AGRI and ENVI committee members), European Commission officials (DG AGRI and related DGs), Council actors (particularly the Permanent Representations in Brussels of key member states, both potential supporters and dissenters) and partner organisations and coalitions active on food systems and CAP.
4. Active promotion of policy positioning. Communicate and advocate for the thirteen recommendations in relevant policy conversations, ensuring ECOLISE’s community-led perspective is visible in the CAP post-2027 debate, and relay ECOLISE positions on biodiversity and housing in adjacent policy circles.
5. Distribution of the publication. Support the strategic distribution of printed copies of Reclaiming the Future of Food to targeted stakeholders in Brussels.
6. Coordination and reporting. Maintain regular coordination with the ECOLISE Policy Lead, log stakeholder contacts and meeting outcomes, and flag emerging opportunities and intelligence from the Brussels policy environment across all three policy areas.

Deliverables

• A short workplan (agreed with the Policy Lead within the first week), identifying priority events, stakeholders, and meeting targets
• Brief written notes after each stakeholder meeting or event attended (template provided)
• An up-to-date stakeholder contact and engagement log, handed over at the end of the assignment
• A concise final report summarising activities, outcomes, key contacts, and recommendations for ECOLISE’s continued EU advocacy

Required profile

• Based in Brussels, with availability to attend events and meetings in person throughout the assignment period
• Demonstrated experience in EU advocacy, public affairs, or campaigning, ideally within civil society or non-profit contexts
• Ability to advocate credibly across multiple policy files, adapting messaging to different audiences and policy contexts
• Good working knowledge of EU institutions and decision-making processes, particularly the European Parliament and Commission
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills; able to represent an organisation credibly and autonomously
• Familiarity with EU food and agriculture policy; direct knowledge of the CAP and the post-2027 reform debate is a strong asset

Desired qualifications

• Familiarity with EU biodiversity policy (e.g. nature restoration, EU Biodiversity Strategy) and/or EU-level housing policy debates is an asset
• An existing network among Brussels-based food systems, agroecology, environmental, housing, or rural development actors is a strong asset
• Affinity with community-led approaches to sustainability and the values of the ECOLISE network

How to apply

Please fill in this form by July 30th 5pm CET, uploading

• A CV (max. 2 pages)
• A short motivation note (max. 2 pages) outlining your relevant experience, your Brussels policy network, your availability during the assignment period, and a brief outline of your proposed approach to the assignment
• Your proposed daily rate and an indicative number of working days within the €6,100 budget

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short online interview. ECOLISE values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

About ECOLISE

ECOLISE is a European network bringing together organisations that support community-led initiatives (CLIs) on climate change and sustainability — including ecovillages, Transition initiatives, permaculture networks, and other grassroots movements — active across Europe. ECOLISE works to strengthen the enabling conditions for community-led action through advocacy, knowledge exchange, and collaboration with EU institutions and partners. Its policy work currently spans food systems, biodiversity, housing, and rural development.