Equality

From trainees to staff: a continuous and equal access to CAST for The Commission colleagues

Different practices among the Commission

Generation 2004 has recently been contacted by colleagues regarding their concerns over differing practices across Commission services concerning invitations to CAST selection procedures. 

Continue reading From trainees to staff: a continuous and equal access to CAST for The Commission colleagues

Internal Competition COM/AD/106/2026: Inclusion for Some, Exclusion for Others?

The publication of the new internal competition COM/AD/106/2026 in the field of Competition and Digital policies once again raises serious questions about the coherence of the Commission’s internal competitions strategy and its approach to talent management.  

Continue reading Internal Competition COM/AD/106/2026: Inclusion for Some, Exclusion for Others?

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

The trip to nowhere: How European School trips became a nightmare for parents and teachers

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. 

Continue reading The trip to nowhere: How European School trips became a nightmare for parents and teachers

Teleworking for Local Agents: Time for Fairness, Flexibility, and Trust

Teleworking is no longer a privilege – it is a modern and effective way of working that supports productivity, motivation, and work-life balance across the European External Action Service (EEAS).  Yet for Local Agents (LAs) working in EU Delegations around the world, the rules on teleworking remain inconsistent, restrictive, and overly-dependent on local interpretations. Only 1 day of working from home is currently available for local agent colleagues. Continue reading Teleworking for Local Agents: Time for Fairness, Flexibility, and Trust

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 

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 

AST/SC – Forgotten in Delegation while the Commission does its own thing? 

In a recent internal communication on the 2026 Delegation rotation exercise [*], the European Commission announced opportunities for AST and AD staff to take up posts in European External Action Service (EEAS) Delegations around the world. Yet, one function group was (again) clearly overlooked. AST/SC staff are not even mentioned there, you have to dig to find any mention of this function group. Continue reading AST/SC – Forgotten in Delegation while the Commission does its own thing? 

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