The European Union’s Blue Book Traineeship program has seen a significant shift in recent years, with Italy, France, and Spain emerging as the top countries for female applicants. According to data released by the European Commission, more than 2 million candidates applied between 2020 and 2025, with women outnumbering men across the EU.
The program, which offers paid internships twice a year, has seen an increase in female participation, with only six instances of male trainees surpassing their female counterparts. Malta recorded the most instances of this phenomenon, while Luxembourg was the only country where female and male trainees were evenly matched.
Non-binary individuals accounted for just 168 applications over the five-year period, indicating a need for greater diversity in the program. The UK’s participation in the program ended in 2020, with fewer than 50 trainees accepted.
Despite this, the program has seen significant growth, with Italy exceeding 25,000 applicants and France following closely behind with over 11,000. Spain trails closely behind, but still boasts a notable number of candidates. Overall, the data suggests that the Blue Book Traineeship program is becoming increasingly popular, especially among female EU citizens.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/19/dont-let-russia-divide-us-and-europe-kaja-kallas-says