How to network Brussels’ foreign aid community

By Elena L. Pasquini16 October 2012

A view of Place du Luxembourg in Brussels, Belgium. Photo by: Oscar Franzén

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

About the author

Elena L. Pasquini

Elena Pasquini covers the development work of the European Union as well as various U.N. food and agricultural agencies for Devex News. Based in Rome, she also reports on Italy's aid reforms and attends the European Development Days and other events across Europe. She has interviewed top international development officials, including European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs. Elena has contributed to Italian and international magazines, newspapers and news portals since 1995.