Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is happy to offer you online training in English for the European Economic and Social Committee/Comité économique et social européen (EESC/CESE) internal competitions with a special discount rate for our members ONLY. The internal-competitions training is via self study and covers the free-text essay on EU Matters (EESC Internal competitions: AD7/AD5/AST3/AST1/ASTSC2/ASTSC1) Continue reading Training offer: EESC Internal competitions
Internal Competitions
Internal & External Competitions – Contesting the Results : Conference
*Update 06.10.2025 the court case querying the legality of nationality-specific competitions is ongoing.*
*Update 26.08.2025 the updated time estimates are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*
Original article: We have received an overwhelming number of complaints from colleagues about serious irregularities in recent internal and external competitions: technical failures of the testing platform, problems with the Single Candidate Portal, and questionable content in the knowledge tests based on non-official sources such as the Draghi Report.
Continue reading Internal & External Competitions – Contesting the Results : Conference
Internal Competitions: A Fair Shot for Everyone?
*Update 02.10.2025, we’ve seen the publication of the first of the promised internal competitions: the specialist AD7/AD9 financial risk management. It’s disappointing that it does not include ASTs in spite of the statement in the planning that some internal competitions would include ASTs. We are looking at it.*
Continue reading Internal Competitions: A Fair Shot for Everyone?
Internal Competitions 2025-2027: A Career Breakthrough or a Tactical Diversion?
*Update 26.08.2025 the updated time estimates are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*
Original article: Opportunities Announced, But Do They Truly Deliver? The European Commission has announced its internal competitions planning for 2025-2027, introducing more frequent competitions and cross-category mobility up to AD10. This appears to be a positive development at first glance, but a deeper analysis of eligibility criteria and staff demographics raises serious concerns about how inclusive and effective these competitions will be in addressing long-standing career progression issues. Continue reading Internal Competitions 2025-2027: A Career Breakthrough or a Tactical Diversion?
Unlocking Career progression for Contract Agents: untapped potential of GIPS Article 13
What is GIPS Article 13 (CA screening) and who can benefit from it ? Article 13 of the general implementing provisions (GIPs) for Article 79(2) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) provides a pathway for Contract Agents engaged under article 3a of the CEOS [*] to advance to a higher function group (so-called CA screening), provided they meet certain conditions. Continue reading Unlocking Career progression for Contract Agents: untapped potential of GIPS Article 13
Free Webinar: Internal competitions –AD5 – AD6 – AST2 – AST-SC2: Last push and state of play
*Update 14.03.2025: here are the recording and the slides of today’s conference. *Update 10.03.2025: here are the recording and the slides of the conference *Update 07.03.2025: 14 March session, will be about future competitions, not the current ones. Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is happy to offer you, additonnally to our previous offer for which you can find the recording and the slides here, free Webinars for Internal competitions – 1) Last push before the internal competition exams, 2) lessons learned from previous competitions & do’s and dont’s. Continue reading Free Webinar: Internal competitions –AD5 – AD6 – AST2 – AST-SC2: Last push and state of play
Free training offer: Internal competitions AD5/AD6/AST2/ASTSC2 – Tips and tricks
*Update 10.12.2024, here is the recording & Presentation of the session. Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is happy to offer you a free online training for Internal competitions to share with you, tips for the application process as well as an analysis of the tests (MCQ test on EU policies and institutions, Written test and Oral test). There will be a Q&A session after the presentation. Continue reading Free training offer: Internal competitions AD5/AD6/AST2/ASTSC2 – Tips and tricks
AST & AST-SC staff: ECA Report Highlights Long-Standing Career Challenges
*Update 19.02.2025: ‘By default, all [internal] competitions will be cross-category.’ (Stay tuned: A new approach for internal competitions) This is excellent news and should now put the Commission on an even footing with the Parliament and other EU institutions. We hope that this inclusion is genuine and that the competitions are not otherwise skewed to reduce participation.* Continue reading AST & AST-SC staff: ECA Report Highlights Long-Standing Career Challenges
ASTs: exploited and forgotten or given a future?
*Update 19.02.2025: ‘By default, all [internal] competitions will be cross-category.’ (Stay tuned: A new approach for internal competitions) This is excellent news and should now put the Commission on an even footing with the Parliament and other EU institutions. We hope that this inclusion is genuine and that the competitions are not otherwise skewed to reduce participation. Participation in these competitions can be done in parallel to the certification: use all your options!* Continue reading ASTs: exploited and forgotten or given a future?
Time to put an end to the career blockage of AST/SC staff
*Update 19.02.2025: ‘By default, all [internal] competitions will be cross-category.’ (Stay tuned: A new approach for internal competitions) This is excellent news and should now put the Commission on an even footing with the Parliament and other EU institutions. We hope that this inclusion is genuine and that the competitions are not otherwise skewed to reduce participation.* Continue reading Time to put an end to the career blockage of AST/SC staff
