AIAKOS & THEMIS: calls for applications now open

The calls for applications for the two flagship initial training activities of the European Judicial Training Network – the AIAKOS Programme and the THEMIS Competition – are now open!

These cornerstone initiatives offer exceptional opportunities for aspiring judges and prosecutors to enhance their legal knowledge, strengthen European judicial cooperation, and build professional networks across borders.

The AIAKOS Programme builds judicial excellence across Europe

The AIAKOS Programme is an Erasmus-style exchange initiative for future and early-career judges and prosecutors from all EU Member States.

Its objectives are to:

Strengthen mutual understanding of judicial systems across the EU

Promote cultural exchange and peer networking

Develop practical skills in international judicial cooperation

Participants spend four days hosted by a judicial institution in another EU country. During their stay, they engage in workshops, interactive sessions, and site visits to courts and related institutions, gaining first-hand insight into the host country’s legal system.

In 2026, four exchange weeks will take place:

Spring: 4–8 May and 18–22 May

Autumn: 2–6 November and 16–20 November

A total of 1,086 participants from 24 Member States are expected to take part in these sessions.

Applications are managed by each Member State’s judicial institution.

The THEMIS Competition showcases talent and innovation

The THEMIS Competition is a prestigious event where judicial trainees collaborate and compete by presenting innovative solutions to key legal challenges.

It offers participants the chance to:

Apply their knowledge in a competitive yet collegial setting

Work as a team to develop and defend creative legal ideas

Gain recognition at the European level

Each team – consisting of three judicial trainees from EJTN Members or Observers, accompanied by an optional tutor – must submit a written paper and a live presentation defending their arguments before a jury of experts.

From 2026, participants from countries with low participation rates may form transnational teams, bringing together trainees from different countries.

The competition covers four themes: EU criminal law, civil law, administrative law, and judicial ethics, which are spread over four Semi-Final events, held in:

Balatonszemes (Hungary)

Trier (Germany)

Vilnius (Lithuania)

Naples (Italy)

These events will take place between May and June 2026. Winners and runners-up from each Semi-Final will qualify for the THEMIS Grand Final, to be held in December 2026. The winning team will receive an EJTN-funded study visit to a European country of their choice.

An online information session will be held on 3 February at 11:00 (CET), covering the application process, 2026 topics, financial conditions, and more. Register for the info session here.

Why apply?

Both the AIAKOS Programme and THEMIS Competition go beyond traditional training. They are gateways to professional development, cultural exchange, and lifelong collaboration within Europe’s judicial community.

Participants will:

Access high-quality judicial training and resources

Join a respected European professional network

Strengthen skills in leadership, legal reasoning, and cross-border cooperation

How to apply?

Eligibility: Future and early-career judges and prosecutors (up to two years of experience)

Deadlines:

AIAKOS Programme: mid-February (exact national deadlines may vary. We suggest to liaise with your national judicial institutions as soon as possible.)