The internship

WWF is one of the leading organizations working on the restoration of healthy river systems, with a strong focus on free-flowing rivers and nature-based solutions (NbS). WWF is active on two fronts in this area: implementing dam removal projects and driving the wider barrier removal movement across Europe.

Since initiating this work, WWF has seen significant results:

• 37 barriers removed, opening up over 2,170 km of rivers, including first-time removals in Portugal, Montenegro, Latvia, and Croatia.
• 531 km of natural river flow restored by removing 7 barriers in Ukraine.
• Active policy and advocacy work through Dam Removal Europe, supporting knowledge sharing, awareness, and enabling funding such as the €42.5 million Open Rivers Programme. WWF also contributed to achieving the EU Nature Restoration Law target to open up 25,000 km of rivers. 

WWF’s ambition is to scale up dam removal, with an initial focus on South-Eastern Europe. We aim to accelerate progress on three fronts:

Capitalizing on the new Nature Restoration Law.

1. Capitalizing on the new Nature Restoration Law.
2. Building a platform to inform and connect barrier owners who are open to removal.
3. Engaging the private sector in the ‘business’ of barrier removal.

WWF is looking for a motivated intern who can help streamline and support these key focus areas through creative and practical actions.

Activities of the internship: 

• Support the development of a platform to connect stakeholders and promote dam removal.
• Coordinate with WWF European Policy Office (EPO), Dam Removal Platform marketing team, and regional project teams to strengthen the movement in South-Eastern Europe.
• Identify European-level opportunities to scale up dam removal in line with the Nature Restoration Law.
• Assist in communication efforts around Dam Removal Day.
• Support the organization of training sessions on dam removal.
• Map and approach private sector actors who could benefit from or contribute to dam removal efforts.

Profile of the student: 

• BSc or MSc student (minimum 2 years completed) in a relevant field: conservation, freshwater ecology, or related studies.
• Strong interest in communications, social sciences, and creative engagement.
• Field experience or international context is a plus.
• Fluent in English.
• Self-starting, structured, and enthusiastic about river restoration.

Period: 6 months, starting around September 2025.
Allowance: students based in the Netherlands receive an allowance of €550,- per month on a full-time basis.

Interested? Please send your cv and motivation letter to Kerry Brink kbrink@wwf.nl and Natascha Zwaal nzwaal@wwf.nl.