Welcome to the fourth edition of our Newsletter!
This month’s edition reflects a growing sense of transition across the European institutions. A major focus of this edition is the evolving landscape of EPSO competitions and internal career progression. We take a detailed look at the new cognitive testing introduced in the AD7 internal competition and provide practical guidance  through a dedicated legal overview of complaints procedures, administrative queries and available legal remedies. We also analyse the recent technical difficulties surrounding EPSO’s AD7 Data Management competition, with wider implications of the new TAO testing platform, and take a look at growing concerns regarding the coherence of the Commission’s internal competitions strategy, following the publication of COM/AD/106/2026 and the exclusion of AST colleagues from certain career opportunities despite their operational experience.
At the same time, we continue following developments linked to the Large-Scale Review and the future of non-permanent staff within the institutions. In this context, we express our support for the Contract Agents’ collective petition and discuss key issues affecting contract agents.
In parallel, we address the growing economic pressure affecting staff. Following recent social dialogue discussions with DG HR on the energy crisis, we explore the consequences of rising energy and transport costs, but also the potentially longer-term effects on food prices, household purchasing power and living conditions for colleagues across different staff categories. We continue to advocate for pragmatic flexibility measures and targeted support where necessary.
Staff wellbeing and institutional responsibility are also central themes this month. We raise concerns regarding the gradual externalisation of preventive healthcare services and the future role of the Medical Service. In parallel, we publish a strong reflection on IDOC procedures and due process guarantees, examining broader questions of fairness, proportionality and respect for fundamental rights within administrative investigations.
For colleagues based in Luxembourg, we also provide practical guidance on acquiring Luxembourgish nationality and the potential implications for expatriation and foreign residence allowances.

Last but not least, do not miss our conference on reclassification and promotion appeals, taking place at lunchtime on 11 June, as well as our trainings (EPSO AD7 Audit self-study exam packages and study group, and AD7 internal competition SHL G+ exam packages).

That’s all for now!

Enjoy the reading and do not hesitate to get in touch if you believe we can help.

Welcome to the third spring edition of our Newsletter!
This edition comes at a pivotal moment for the future of the Commission, as discussions on the Large-Scale Review (LSR) begin to take shape. We cover key takeaways from our meeting with Catherine Day and what it means for the future of staff. We also examine the growing pressure on both internal and external competitions – highlighting delays, administrative burdens and capacity challenges that raise important questions about the system’s reliability and fairness – while taking a closer look at the newly published AD7 internal competition as a long-awaited step forward. We also address the the increasing cost of living and working faced by EU staff and the dismissal of local agents in delegations, raising serious concerns about transparency, social dialogue, and the human impact of these decisions.
You will find an article on the situation in the European Schools, where administrative choices are creating inefficiencies and frustration for parents and teachers alike.
Have a look at the two articles written in collaboration with two of our members – a powerful testimony that further illustrates the human cost of rigid procedures, and a concerning PMO case on educational allowances, highlighting issues of transparency, fairness, and the real impact that administrative shortcomings can have on colleagues and their families.
In addition, we take a look at the grades and steps system for Contract Agents, and examine challenges related to the new mobility policy and its implementation in practice.
Don’t miss today’s conference with Yasemos Europeos on the AD7 internal competition.
Looking ahead, please find available the self-study packages for the EPSO AD7 competition for Data management and data knowledge. A study group 5 as well as self-study modules for the EPSO AD5 Generalists/Graduates competition on the Reasoning tests, the MCQ on EU knowledge, the EUFTE and the digital skills test are also offered in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos. Finally, you can watch the recording of our Q&A session on the EPSO AD5 competition for Generalists/Graduates.

That’s all for now!

Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!

Welcome to the second edition of our 2026 Newsletter! In this edition, we focus on several key issues affecting your career prospects, working conditions, and fundamental rights as EU staff.

Continue reading Newsletter editorial – 26-02-2026 →

Happy New Year!

We wish all colleagues a happy, healthy and successful New Year. As we start the year ahead, we present an edition of our newsletter that focuses on engagement, representation and concrete support for our colleagues.

Continue reading Newsletter editorial – 13-01-2026 →

Welcome to the Christmas Edition of this Newsletter!
Dear colleagues,
As 2025 comes to an end, we take a moment to look back at a year marked by both achievements and growing challenges for our institution and its staff. This Christmas edition gathers articles on some of the most pressing topics for our community: the uncertainty surrounding the European Schools, the ongoing reforms in the JSIS, as well as HR’s commitment to address discrimination in the repayment of exceptional education costs, following concerns raised by Generation 2004. We also examine recent unjust dismissals in EU delegations, which raise serious questions about the direction of “modernisation” in Delegations.

Continue reading Newsletter editorial – 19-12-2025 →

Welcome to the tenth edition of our Newsletter! In this edition, we  emphasise the importance of prevention and respect at work through a meeting between Generation 2004 and the Chief Confidential Counsellor. For those who missed our recent lunchtime conferences, recordings are now available for sessions on burnout prevention, EPSO competitions, and the current state of Contract Agents. A non-exhaustive FAQ is also included for reference. Continue reading Newsletter editorial – 30-10-2025 →

Welcome to the ninth edition of our Newsletter!  This edition spotlights critical issues such as the Career of Contract Agents in Offices, the incessant shifting of staff between buildings in Luxembourg, the latest update on the CALux 12 actions, in addition to highlighting support for families burdened by education costs. We also invite you to our next lunchtime event on pensions. The Commission’s policy shift on mobile phone ownership raises urgent questions about our rights.  You will find training offers for :  EPSO Competition AD7,  EPSO AST3 in Communication field and  AST Certification interview.  Don’t miss  forthcoming events: learning session/demo on how to navigate in the jungle of the new Staff center (Staff matters) & how to acquire the Belgian nationality?  If you work in EEAS, you will find news about the new partnership between Generation 2004 & the  EUDN (EU Delegations Partners Network) and a text on Reforming Promotion Practices to ensure Fairness and Transparency.  Last but not least, have a look at two articles written in collaboration with two of our members: AST/SC being forgotten in Delegation Career Opportunities and a succes story on Egg Freezing costs reimbursement.

That’s all for now!

Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!

Welcome to our eighth newsletter edition. In this edition, we invite you to join an inspiring lunchtime conference with a guest speaker, and we highlight key staff concerns: mobility for Contract Agents 3a, equal recognition for language exams, and the shortcomings of multiple-choice tests. We also share our practical guide to preparing for competitions, shed light on what staff representatives actually do, and revisit the debate on teleworking from abroad.  Finally, we take a critical look at the Commission’s so-called “modernisation” and what it might really mean for staff.

That’s all for now!

Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!

Welcome to our seventh newsletter edition. In this edition, we start with breaking news: we are hiring a secretary and you can now combine parental leave with teleworking abroad. We talk about revisiting the GIPS for Contract Agents and highlight the hidden injustice in EU hiring and call for better prices and food quality in Commission canteens. In the realm of family and personal life, we ask the European Commission to stop discriminating against women on egg freezing and raise the topic of marriage versus partnership. Furthermore, we examine Luxembourg-specific updates, including the housing allowance, JMO2, and EU education allowance and state aid. Finally, we touch on EEAS-specific topics, such as the modernisation of the Delegation Network, the appraisal system reform, the teleworking rights for local agents, as well as what Permanent Representation (should not) know about you.  And last but not least, some summer holiday useful tips.

That’s all for now!

Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!

Welcome to our sixth Newsletter edition. In this edition, we explore a diverse range of topics. Have a look at the recording of our conference regarding the promotion appeals and our training offer for the EPSO Lawyer-Linguists revisers competition.  Additionally, we address concerns about child allowance and scholarship and job mobility for Contract Agent 3a staff in Offices.  Last but not least, read the update on “it’s al about our rights!

That’s all for now!

Enjoy the reading and get in touch if you believe we can help!