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Generation 2004 supports the petition in favour of Contract Agents (CA) – our support for the Contract Agents’ Collective

In the recent weeks and days, you might have received via email a petition from the CA collective’. What the ‘CA collective’ is proposing is not new to us. To a large extent, it is a reflection and continuation of the positions that we, as a staff association, have been advocating for over a long period of time and aligned with our postulates for CAs. 

Following the exchange of views with the colleagues involved, we understood their intentions and convictions and consequently we have decided to support the related petition. This position was re-confirmed during the conference organised on 4 May 2026. 

Continue reading Generation 2004 supports the petition in favour of Contract Agents (CA) – our support for the Contract Agents’ Collective

AD7 internal competition: a compass on complaints, queries and legal remedies

On internal or open competitions, the notice of competition is the ‘bible’.  Why?  Due to its binding nature. The notice of competition (NoC) and its annexes operate as a binding legal framework for the procedure. You should therefore read it before anything else. You should even consider that each ‘word’ and ‘comma’ counts!

This article is not about the lack of competitions or its badly planification, wrongdoings, or about technical difficulties you may face when you are applying to internal or open competitions. 

This article is a brief guide on proceduresrights and duties regarding complaintsqueries, and legal remedies at your disposal when something goes wrong. Obviously, you should primarily focus on the content and not in the procedures. You should focus on the tests and not on complaints, queries and legal remedies, but it is quite important to master them when time comes.  Continue reading AD7 internal competition: a compass on complaints, queries and legal remedies

Training offer: AD7 internal competition – SHL G+ exam packages

*Update 04.06.2026: Ya Semos Europeos added cognitive reasoning Mock exams to both packages for registered participants (with no extra charge). Participants can find this bonus content directly on their profiles on the training platform. Please note that registered participants may need to refresh their browser or their login to the platform to see changes / updates in their profiles on Teachable. As some candidates have registered in both packages to increase their SHL practice (2 packages = 2  Verify interactive G+ exams on SHL platform), each package has a different courtesy cognitive reasoning YSE Mock exam. So these candidates do not get the same mock test twice.

*Update 29.05.2026: The exam date for the cognitive reasoning test in COM/AD7/107/2026 internal competition has been set for June 11*

Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is happy to offer you 2 package modalities for the COM AD7 Internal competition.  There is a special discount rate for our members ONLY and registrations are made on “first come first served basis”.

Continue reading Training offer: AD7 internal competition – SHL G+ exam packages

Training offer: EPSO competition AD7 audit – Study group (EN) for reasoning, MCQ and written tests

*Update 26.05.2026: since this competition exam is now expected after the summer break, Yasemos Europeos has updated the calendar of this study group accordingly. Please find below the updated dates*

Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is happy to offer you online training with Study group for reasoning, MCQ and written tests for the AD7 Audit competition.  There is a special discount rate for our members ONLY and registrations are made on “first come first served basis”.

Continue reading Training offer: EPSO competition AD7 audit – Study group (EN) for reasoning, MCQ and written tests

Newsletter editorial – 17-04-2026

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!

Rising Costs, Real Impact: Time for a Serious Dialogue on Staff Working Conditions

Generation 2004, together with U4U, will formally request the opening of a social dialogue with the administration to assess the growing financial pressures faced by EU staff and to explore possible support measures. 

Continue reading Rising Costs, Real Impact: Time for a Serious Dialogue on Staff Working Conditions

Competitions Under Pressure: Delays, Overload and Structural Challenges

Recent developments in both internal and external competitions highlight growing pressure on the system and raise important questions about its capacity, reliability and fairness. 

While some progress has been made, particularly with the launch of the AD7 internal competition, many of the structural challenges previously identified remain unresolved. At the same time, it is important to underline that AST/SC colleagues still do not have access to AD competitions, meaning that the move towards inclusiveness remains partial and that significant gaps persist. 

Continue reading Competitions Under Pressure: Delays, Overload and Structural Challenges

AD7 Internal Competition: A Long-Awaited Breakthrough

The publication of the internal AD7 competition is more than just another call for applications. For many colleagues, it represents something much bigger: a long-overdue opening of real career opportunities. 

For Generation 2004, this is not a coincidence. It is the result of years of sustained advocacy to make internal competitions more inclusive and to break down rigid barriers between staff categories. 

Continue reading AD7 Internal Competition: A Long-Awaited Breakthrough

Understanding grades and steps in the career of Contract Agents

Generation 2004 is frequently approached by colleagues seeking advice on how to advance in grading. This article aims at clarifying what one can expect (or not) in that respect during their engagement in the institution, but also upon recruitment or contract change.   Continue reading Understanding grades and steps in the career of Contract Agents