z Newsletter article

Large-Scale Review: déjà vu?

*Update 05.11.2025 we have seen the article suggesting ending the EU civil service and are evaluating its content. We intend to attend the staff event on the large-scale review of the Commission on Friday 21 November, as we encourage you all to do also.*

Original article: We intend to address the issues raised there in our response to the large scae review.* Generation 2004 invites all colleagues to a brainstorming session on the Large-Scale Review – the new reflection exercise launched by the Commission to assess its structure and functioning.  While the official message speaks of modernisation, agility and simplification, many colleagues are sceptical. We have seen in the past – in 2004 and 2014 – how such exercises ended in reforms that weakened staff rights and career prospects (‘perspectives’).

Continue reading Large-Scale Review: déjà vu?

Contract Agent FAQs

As promised, please find below a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Contract Agents (CAs). The questions were harvested to a large extent from our October 2025 CA event (thanks to all who attended!) and from the many, many CA questions received via email. At Generation 2004 we find it frustrating that many discussions on improving CA situations in many different spheres are shut down with ‘well, they knew what they signed up for’. We find that this is most certainly not the case: if it is  difficult even for staff representatives to know exactly which rules apply, how on earth can we expect new arrivals (newbies) or even returners (false newbies) to know? Continue reading Contract Agent FAQs

Interested in standing as a candidate for the Luxembourg local staff committee?

The Luxembourg local staff committee (LSC) elections will take place before the end of the year. Are you interested? Are you a potential candidate? If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved in what’s happening outside your day to day, outside your building, outside your staff category or even beyond the Luxembourg site itself, then this is your moment! Continue reading Interested in standing as a candidate for the Luxembourg local staff committee?

LUNCHTIME CONFERENCE WITH INSPIRING GUEST SPEAKER: COLLEAGUES HELPING COLLEAGUES – the Burnout Support Network

*Update 30.10.2025: here is the recording and the contact slides. Thanks to the >270 colleagues who attended.

Original article: Do you feel constantly overwhelmed, deeply exhausted, scared to go in BURNOUT ? Maybe you are there already. Or just care for a friend, a colleague and want to help… Discover the Burnout Support Network with one of the co-founders. Continue reading LUNCHTIME CONFERENCE WITH INSPIRING GUEST SPEAKER: COLLEAGUES HELPING COLLEAGUES – the Burnout Support Network

Lunchtime event: EPSO competitions: where are we?

*update 29.10.2025: here are the recording and the slides. Generation 2004 is always watching what’s happening in terms of recruitment, particularly in Luxembourg. We give you an outline of the current status of EPSO competitions, together with some of the most recent challenges. While internal competitions are not the focus of this event, they are part of the process and the context, so will not be ignored. Generation 2004, we’re here for you! Continue reading Lunchtime event: EPSO competitions: where are we?

Lunchtime event: Contract Agents: key challenges and recent developments

*Update 30.10.2025, here’s the promised Contract Agent FAQs.*

*Update 29.10.2025: here is the recording and the slides.

Original article: Generation 2004 is here again to help you to know the rules that apply to you as a Contract Agents (CAs). We want you to make the best decisions you can with the information available. In the hybrid event below we plan to have around 1.5 hours to address your CA questions. We intend to gather all of your questions to make a Contract Agent frequently asked questions (FAQs) for our website. Continue reading Lunchtime event: Contract Agents: key challenges and recent developments

Newsletter editorial – 07-10-2025

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 AD7EPSO 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!

Training offer: EPSO AST3 in Communication – Exam exercises

Our Training partner Yasemos Europeos, has a special  offer with a 10% discount rate for our members. The package contains: self-study exam packages for practising the different tests.  There are 2 package options availableEXAM 1 + PRE-EXAM session (live online via ZOOM, link will be published in participants training platform profiles) EXAM 1 (only 1 mock exam for practice with NO pre-exam session).
Continue reading Training offer: EPSO AST3 in Communication – Exam exercises

Internal Competitions 2025: A Missed Promise of Inclusion 

Many of you contacted us about the publication of the second of the promised internal competitions: the specialist AD7/AD9 financial risk management. We agree, we too were disappointed: this was not the new approach for internal competitions announced in February 2025, that of internal competitions being open to colleagues from other function groups (yes, the Parliament’s been doing this for years, but at the Commission it’s new).  Continue reading Internal Competitions 2025: A Missed Promise of Inclusion