ADEK International, the Association of Former Trainees of the European Union, was created in 1966, six years after the launch of the EC traineeships programme – now the largest and longest-running traineeships programme in the world.

Today, ADEK International gathers ex-trainees from all European institutions (European Commission (EC); European Parliament (EP); Council of the European Union (CEU); European Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC); Committee of the Regions (CoR); European Court of Justice (ECJ); Court of Auditors; European Investment Bank; European Central Bank and the office of the European Ombudsman).

The European Commission gathers by far the highest number of stagiaires: around 1200 individuals currently have the opportunity to experience the European Commission every year (1 out of 10 applicants). The official traineeship period lasts 5 months (Summer Stage - March to July, Winter Stage – October to February).

In 40 years, the European Commission has recruited more than 25,000 trainees, originating from 65 nations.