Parents in European School pay overpriced disorganised trips for their kids.
It works as follows: the school organises a trip (for instance, a visit to a museum or to a farm) with pedagogical goals. Most often, the teachers are those arranging all the practical details, choosing the place, the best choices for tickets, the activities and hours…
The file is sent to a travel agency that holds the monopoly so that they buy the tickets and arrange transport and, when needed, accommodation. More often than not, the agency acts slowly so that by the time they buy the whole trip is more expensive than at the time the teachers planned it.
Education
HR listens and acts accordingly: Discriminations in Repayment of Exceptional Education Costs to be Removed
When we informed you about the possibility to request financial support for your children education costs (primary and secondary levels), we noticed a weird restriction in eligibility conditions: this financial support was not open to children of colleagues in EU Delegations or in Agencies. However, it was available to colleagues in all institutions and to a large and varied pool of current and former staff.
We asked informally HR for what seemed to be an unjustified discrimination, particularly considering that many colleagues in agencies are contractual agents in the lower salary scales.
Generation 2004 Brussels is urgently looking for a Trainee in Communication & Social Media
Generation 2004 Brussels is urgently looking for a Trainee in Communication & Social Media. For our daily work, Generation 2004 employs a team of committed and dedicated colleagues. We are looking for a trainee who is : A Student in Communication, Public Relations, Digital Media, Marketing, or related fields.
Continue reading Generation 2004 Brussels is urgently looking for a Trainee in Communication & Social Media
Education Expenses Support – call for applications until 7/11/25
Are you spending more than 20% of your income in education – You can apply to get support (applications until 7/11/25). While we often are critical of bad administration practices and approaches, it is fair to mention that EU Institutions have positive programmes to support colleagues in worse situations.
Continue reading Education Expenses Support – call for applications until 7/11/25
Free Webinar: Competition EPSO AST 3 Assistants (3 fields)
Update 23.07.2025: here are the slides. Update 18.07.2025: here is the recording of today’s conference (the slides in ppt format will follow). Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is offering for free and for all staff, an online free webinar to assist you in preparing for the EPSO competition – AST 3 Assistants (3 fields). You will get tips for the application process and an analysis of the tests. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions after the presentation. The session will be in English.
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EEAS: Internal Competitions – Free workshop
Update 23.06.2025: Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, this workshop has to be cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience. You may want to review the recording of a previous session which is still valid. Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is happy to offer you a free online Webinar in English on the EEAS internal competitions. The session will address the tests (MCQ and written) of this competition.
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Urgent Call for Reform in European Schools
On 25 March 2025, Generation 2004 External Action Service (EEAS) section hosted a conference addressing the pressing challenges within the European Schools (ESS) system. The event witnessed robust participation, with a full room of colleagues and approximately 30-35 online attendees from the EEAS and the European Commission, all deeply engaged in discussions about the future of our children’s education. Continue reading Urgent Call for Reform in European Schools
Upcoming Conference: Challenges in European Schools – 25 March 2025
*Upddate 26.03.2025 please check our summary of this event.*
Original article: Are you concerned about the European Schools system and the challenges it presents for families? Join Generation 2004 – EEAS Section on 25 March (12:30–13:30, hybrid format) for an open discussion on key issues, including long commuting times, teacher shortages, high costs, limited language choice, and inadequate psychological support.
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Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Schooling in Belgium
Disclaimer: “The information presented in this article is based on insights gathered from various social media groups, discussions, and testimonies shared by Brussels-baised colleagues. While we strive to provide accurate and relevant details, we are committed to preserving confidentiality and protecting the privacy of individuals involved.
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Protecting Our Children’s Mental Health: Urgent Reforms Needed in European Schools
The mental health and well-being of children in European Schools (ESS) should be a top priority for the European Schools as well as for the European institutions. Nevertheless, many parents within our community have raised serious concerns about the lack of psychological support, insufficient supervision, and how the system fails to address emotional distress among students. Continue reading Protecting Our Children’s Mental Health: Urgent Reforms Needed in European Schools
