How to network Brussels’ foreign aid community

Brussels is a study in contrast. It’s a predominantly French-speaking city that also hosts the Flemish parliament. Tourists flock to the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture of old town, just a few stone throws away from the postmodern design of what has become known as the European Quarter. It’s here that the city’s aid community converges, hustling between the European Commission, European Parliament and other EU institutions, most notably the Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation, also known as EuropeAid, one of the world’s largest donors. So whether you’re looking for a job or are in town for a business meeting, it pays off to know how to navigate the city’s aid community. Here’s how. Move to Brussels and knock on doors Perhaps it’s a no-brainer: The best way to build connections in Brussels is to meet with people face-to-face. For job seekers, it could spell the difference between getting a foot in the door at EuropeAid and other institutions, or being passed over. EU vacancies usually take months to fill, and it’s a good idea to meet and mingle with decision makers in the meantime. “Maybe [an opportunity can come from] a friend that forwards you an email saying that someone is looking for someone else to fill a post,” an EU contract agent who spent some years in Brussels before being hired told Devex. “I receive two or three emails like these every month, at least.” To network with EuropeAid and its humanitarian counterpart, ECHO, most global development firms and NGOs operate at least a small office in Brussels – so aid officials and job seekers should not limit their outreach to EU institutions. READ MORE:Top global development employers in Brussels: A primerREAD MORE: Top EuropeAid consultancy partners: A primerREAD MORE:Top EuropeAid NGO grantees: A primer Frequent Place du Lux and other hot spots Place du Luxembourg — or as most locals call it, Place du Lux — is a square a few steps from the European Parliament. After 5 p.m., EU folks converge here, mingling with lobbyists, journalists and corporate executives. And every Thursday evening, it can be hard to find a seat in one of the many nearby bars — bringing your business cards! As a humanitarian relief professional tells Devex: “Between two persons with the same CV, who goes ahead is the one able to push himself forward even in a very informal way, drinking a beer in Place du Luxembourg. A job opportunity can come shooting the breeze.” Beyond Place du Lux, other good places to hang out and network include the restaurants and cafés within the elegant neighborhood of Sablon at Place de Londres as well as Place Jourdain, and the market of Place Châtelain on Wednesday afternoon. Here are more places where members of the lively Brussels international community gather: - After After Work offers an alternative aperitif held every first Friday of the month from 6 p.m. at the restaurant of Mundo-B, a project devoted to sustainable development put in place by a group of NGOs that “ecologically renovated a building in the center of Brussels in order to settle their offices as well as a conference center, an organic cafe, a didactic nature garden, etc.” - At Seven is a membership club located in the Mirano Continental Club. A group of expats meets here one Thursday each month at 7 p.m. - The Centre d’Ecologie Urbaine organizes events for those interested in ecology and food security. - Easy Sundays is about “socializing over a Sunday brunch, tasting home-made food, discovering new places in the city and supporting selected causes.” - Eurocrats is an organization that sets night parties in some luxury venues across the city, specifically targeting the Brussels international community. - The Expats Networking Group on LinkedIn, active since 2008 and with more than 2,400 members, encourages expatriate professionals to network online and personally through their monthly networking events, which occur on a Thursday. Members can suggest topics and invite other expats to join. - The Hub Brussels’ members work in the field of innovation and social entrepreneurship, including corporate executives, community leaders, policymakers and freelancer. It hosts dinners, workshops and other events. - The Imagination Club meets twice a month and organizes workshops and other events in English and attended by a multicultural audience. - Pecha Kucha Nights focus on sustainability and the environment but are good occasions to meet members of the Brussels international community. - Toasmasters is a membership club that organizes meetings, training and other events to improve speaking and leaderships skills. Attend conferences Attending meetings and conferences organized by EU institutions and think tanks has twin benefits: They provide opportunities to network and familiarize yourself with EU-related issues. Here are some organizations that hold regular briefings, forums and similar events: - The Europe Third World Today has around 600 members and “at least the same number of occasional donors, mainly belonging to the staff of the European institutions.” It funds projects in developing countries and organizes events and campaigns in Brussels. - The ACP-EU Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation organizes regular development briefings focused on rural development issues in the context of cooperation between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific member states. - EuropeAid Info Point conducts exhibitions, festivals, charity auctions, conferences and meetings on various subjects. Here are some notable Brussels think tanks focused on foreign affairs and development issues: - Bruegel - Carnegie Europe - Center for European Policy Study - Club of Rome - Egmont Institute - European Center for International Economics - European Center for International Political Economy - European Council on Foreign Relations - European Institute for Asian Studies - European Policy Center - Friends of Europe - Group of Policy Advisers - International Crisis Group Stay tuned for our coverage of the 2012 European Development Days live from Brussels or read more of our international development career advice.