Training offer: EPSO AST3 in Communication

*Update 10.09.2025, this EPSO competition is now closed to new applications.*

Our Training partner Yasemos Europeos, has a special  offer with a 20% discount rate for our members. The package contains: Study group for reasoning, MCQ and EUFTE tests for the EPSO competition on AST/157/25 Assistants (AST 3) in Communication.
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Training offer: EEAS Internal competitions – AD6 – AST2 – AST-SC2

*Update 10.09.2025, these internal competitions are now closed to new applications.*

Original article: Our Training partner Yasemos Europeos, has a special  offer with a discount rate for our members. The package contains EEAS Internal competitions – AD6 – AST2 – AST-SC2: Self-study MCQ test on knowledge on the EU and its institutions.  The content is in English.

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Free Webinar: Competition EPSO AST 3 Assistants (3 fields)

Update 23.07.2025: here are the slides. Update 18.07.2025: here is the recording of today’s conference (the slides in ppt format will follow). Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is offering for free and for all staff, an online free webinar to assist you in preparing for the EPSO competition – AST 3 Assistants (3 fields).  You will get tips for the application process and an analysis of the tests. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions after the presentation. The session will be in English.
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JRC staff policy – high ambitions, ugly realities

Update 07.07.2025: In the meantime, the Head of Unit responsible for sacking the two Contract Agents and previously accused of harassing a number of other colleagues has been proposed for promotion with just two years of seniority in the grade, two years less than the average in that grade. What do we learn from that?

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Brussels Canteens: rising prices, shrinking wages

Price increase confirmed – Generation 2004 calls for support for the most vulnerable. Meal prices in the European Commission’s canteens in Brussels are set to increase by 4.2%, as confirmed by the Head of Unit responsible for the catering in OIB, during the Local Staff Committee Brussels (LSC Brussels) meeting on Tuesday 1 July.
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EEAS: Reforming the performance appraisal system – Your Voice Matters!

On 30 June, Generation 2004 hosted an open lunchtime brainstorming session on the performance appraisal system in External Action Service (EEAS). Building on internal consultations with our members and staff representatives, we wanted to hear from all colleagues about their real-life experiences and frustrations with the current system.
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Qualified but discounted: The hidden injustice in EU hiring 

*Update 06.10.2025: the issues outlined below are often called ‘juniorisation‘ within the Commission, but this term is not widely understood.*

Original article: Many colleagues across the EU institutions are increasingly frustrated by outdated and overly rigid eligibility rules in EPSO competitions, institutional vacancy notices and CAST recruitment. One of the most problematic aspects is the requirement that only professional experience acquired after obtaining the minimum required qualification counts toward eligibility.
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Luxembourg: Update on JMO2 – Letter from OIL 

“We have recently been informed by the architect in charge of the JMO2 project that we are likely to experience further delays with the delivery of the building.“ sounds the joint message from Mr Quest and Mr Miranda-Vizuete.  How did you feel when you read this sentence?
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Luxembourg: Additional admin – EU education allowance and state aid

Here’s how to navigate an additional administrative burden for those of you in Luxembourg with dependent children in higher (tertiary) education. The assistance available from the Luxembourg state interacts with the EU education allowance in unexpected ways, make sure to avoid surprises!   Continue reading Luxembourg: Additional admin – EU education allowance and state aid

What Permanent Representation (should not) know about you? 

*Update 25.09.2025 See related supervisory opinion on case 2023-1231.*

Remember our article of 25 September 2024, where we wrote about dubious and questionable (if not illegal) transfers of our personal data to the permanent representation of Member States by DG HR? One of our members, Rafal Stanecki took the matter further.
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