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
diversity & inclusion
Justice Won: Egg-Freezing Costs Reimbursed after appeal
We are happy to share a success story from one of our members that can be a source of inspiration for others in the same situation. Sometimes, change begins with one person refusing to accept a negative. Check JSIS reimbursement sheets for instructions on how to challenge non-reimbursement or check the other options available: sometimes insistence pays off! If you get stuck, we’re here for you!
Continue reading Justice Won: Egg-Freezing Costs Reimbursed after appeal
EEAS: Serving in the European Union’s diplomatic service
Serving in the European Union’s diplomatic service, particularly in EU Delegations around the world, is a role rich with complexity and significance. These delegations are the global outposts of the European External Action Service (EEAS), tasked with representing the EU in myriad geopolitical contexts. Continue reading EEAS: Serving in the European Union’s diplomatic service
What Do Staff Representatives Work On?
If you’re facing a problem at work, have a question about your rights, or need help navigating a difficult situation, you don’t have to go through it alone. Staff representatives are here to listen, guide, and support colleagues regardless of staff category or contract type. Being a staff representative means more than attending meetings.
Continue reading What Do Staff Representatives Work On?
Time for change: out-of-date restrictions on assisted fertility?
Let the European Institutions lead the way forward, not hold us back with outdated rules. In a world where medical science is advancing rapidly and professional careers increasingly shape personal timelines, the EU institutions and their Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) must ensure policies keep pace with technical and societal advances and follow the best practices seen in Member States. Commission Decision C(2023) 7673, updates its 2007 predecessor in order to broaden access to parenthood, but does it go far enough? Continue reading Time for change: out-of-date restrictions on assisted fertility?
Breaking news: You can now combine parental leave with TWA
*Update 26.08.2025 here’s the new link with instructions on how to encode those TWA days, note that even Blue Book trainees can have 5 days.*
Original article: Generation 2004 is glad to announce that from now on, you can combine any type of leave – including parental leave – with teleworking from outside the place of employment, or teleworking from anywhere (TWA). We particularly thank Mr Quest, the Director-General of HR for his positive reply to our long-standing request
Continue reading Breaking news: You can now combine parental leave with TWA
Marriage or Partnership? When EU Law Falls Behind Member States
*Update 02.07.2025 we have corrected several points in the article below and apologise for any confusion caused.*
Original article: Have you ever wondered why, in a progressive and inclusive European Union, your registered partnership – fully recognised by your region or Member State as equivalent to marriage – may still be treated as ‘less than’ by the EU institutions’ social security systems?
Continue reading Marriage or Partnership? When EU Law Falls Behind Member States
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
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.
Continue reading Upcoming Conference: Challenges in European Schools – 25 March 2025
EPSO: When wishful thinking meets reality
What at first glance looks like a logical continuation and supplement to the new EPSO competition model is above all one thing: the admission of failure across the board. No matter how rosy the Director General of HR portrays the situation and the new recruitment model, EPSO is not living up to its claim to deliver a better and ultimately faster service and DG HR is now struggling to ensure at least a minimum level of quality in the new recruitment model. Continue reading EPSO: When wishful thinking meets reality
