Positive action programmes

About the programme

The European Court of Auditors places a high value on inclusion, providing opportunities for people with disabilities to do traineeships at the ECA. In addition to the standard traineeship scheme, the Positive Action Programme for trainees with disabilities offers an additional pathway for those with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments.

The ECA offers two traineeships per year to EU nationals with a recognised disability.

We are currently accepting applications for traineeships in all our areas of work: audit, translation, communications, general administration, IT and library management. We particularly welcome applications from candidates in the fields of IT audit and data science. This is part of our ongoing efforts to improve our use of technology and data in audit and are looking for trainees with the vision and ideas to make a real impact in these areas.

Reasonable accommodation

By “reasonable accommodation” we mean any appropriate measures, where needed, allowing people with disabilities to work on an equal footing with others, unless these measures would place an undue burden on the employer.

The ECA can modify equipment, practices or policies on a case-by-case basis.

If you are selected as one of our trainees, we will contact you to discuss any specific needs you may have and ensure that you have all the necessary software, hardware, or ergonomic equipment from the beginning of your traineeship.

We also contact the ECA team that hosts our trainees to prepare for your arrival and your time with us.

Further important information can be found under the heading “Positive Action Programme for trainees with a disability” concerning the sessions, allowance, eligibility and the application procedure.

Are you a person with a disability who wants to gain valuable professional experience in the EU institutions? Blue Book Internships at the European Commission are just for you!

The European Commission’s Traineeships Office has a number of measures in place supporting and helping trainees with a disability. The Traineeships Office is committed to closely accompany these trainees, in full confidentiality.

Why is it worth applying?

• Financial support: An increase in monthly grant is provided (up to 50%), based on the assessment of the documentation you provide to the Traineeships Office (official reference document).
• Adapting the workplace: Candidates who need special adjustments for reasonable accommodation (due to a disability) can benefit from dedicated measures. If you have a disability that may require reasonable accommodations during your traineeship, please inform the Traineeships Office.
• Support and networks: the Traineeships Office works together with Commission staff networks active in diversity and inclusion matters to bring about positive change by advancing diversity and inclusion in the EU institutions. These networks warmly welcome trainees to join them during their internship. They act as a contact point for candidates that would like to discuss confidential personal issues linked to diversity and inclusion that would impede them from applying to the traineeships scheme. ASDEC: Association of Staff with a Disability in the European Commission: EC-STAFF-DISABILITY-ASDEC@ec.europa.eu

The European Commission is convinced that diversity enriches its work and therefore strives to make people with disabilities feel welcome and supported during their internship. Join as a Blue Book intern and become part of an inclusive team that appreciates the diversity of talent!

Who can apply: 
Graduates of any discipline can apply as long as their degree has already been awarded (a transcript can normally be provided if the certificate has not yet been awarded). For EU citizens a knowledge of a minimum of two EU languages is required. Work experience and postgraduate education is a plus, but not an eligibility criterion. A small number of places are reserved for non-EU citizens.

Duration: 5 months

Paid: Yes, €1.376,89 per month (adjusted per session)

Starting Dates: 1 March and 1 October

Locations: Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), agencies and services in EU Member States

For further information, please consult the dedicated page EC Blue Book Traineeship Programme - European Commission (europa.eu)

The General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union offers up to 6 paid traineeships a year in different domains reserved for trainees with a disability.

Who can apply:

These traineeships are reserved for graduates and third, fourth or fifth year university students of EU nationality with a recognized disability.

Duration: 5 months

Paid: Yes, €2 065.32 par month, reimbursement of travel allowance and GSC restaurant reduction card. Upon presentation of proper justification, trainees with disabilities may receive a supplementary amount up to half of the traineeship grant.

Starting Dates:

• 16 February (application period around August / September - check at that moment for final dates).
• 1 September (application period around February/March - check at that moment for final dates).

Location: Brussels.

For further information and to apply please consult the Council's website.

Discover the testimonies of trainees who have participated in this action programme.

The inclusion of persons with disabilities is a priority of the European Parliament. In addition to the possibility of being recruited under the general selection procedure for Schuman trainees, persons with disabilities now have a greater opportunity to take part via the Positive Action Scheme for trainees with disabilities. Persons who have a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment of at least 20% can apply to this programme. Shortlisted candidates from the Positive Action Scheme who meet the general eligibility criteria for a Schuman traineeship may receive an offer for a traineeship, once the European Parliament’s Medical Service confirms that they have a disability as described above. Successful candidates may receive an additional payment of up to 50% of the Schuman trainees’ monthly grant, to compensate for additional costs incurred.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to trainees with disabilities in relation to the essential functions of their job. Appropriate measures where needed will be taken in order to enable a person with a disability to have access to, participate in, or advance in employment, or to undergo training.

When the selection procedure opens, apply via the following portal: https://ep-stages.gestmax.eu/website/application-informations

Locations: Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg or the European Parliament Liaison Offices.

For the 10th consecutive year, the European Parliament is launching the Positive Action Programme (PAP) (2024 edition), an additional pathway designed to facilitate the employment of persons with a disability as contract agents. This initiative offers candidates with a disability the opportunity to work for the EU’s only directly elected institution, and it allows Parliament to ensure a diverse talent pool by attracting competent candidates.

Don’t miss the chance to be offered a one-year contract, with the possibility of an extension! You could also be placed in a European Parliament database in view of possible recruitment as a contract agent at a later stage.

Since 2023, the Ombudsman implements a positive action programme for trainees with a recognised disability.

Trainees in the Ombudsman's Office must necessarily have a very good command of the English language.

Applications must therefore be submitted in English. For the same reasons, the documents concerning traineeship applications are only available in English.

• Decision of the European Ombudsman concerning traineeships
• Traineeships 2024 - Traineeship for persons with disabilities - Help build a more effective, accountable, transparent and ethical administration in the EU - OMB/T/2024/5
• Privacy Statement relating to the selection of trainees within the European Ombudsman’s Office