EU Commission civil service review gets outside expert blueprint for reform

• 2026-10-27
• Europe
• News Desk
• Source: European Commission https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_26_2259

The European Commission received a report on the future of its civil service from a High-Level Group of external experts chaired by Catherine Day, presented in Brussels on the day of its publication, according to a statement by Commissioner Serafin. The review, launched at the initiative of the Commission President, aims to overhaul how the institution functions and is organised.

Key facts

• The High-Level Group was chaired by Catherine Day and included eight other prominent external experts.
• The review was initiated by the European Commission President as a bottom-up process that has engaged hundreds, if not thousands, of staff across the institution.
• Commissioner Serafin said the report and staff input together give the Commission a mandate for far-reaching changes.
• A final report is due in the coming months, drawing on the group's ideas as a source of inspiration.

What does the report recommend?

Serafin thanked Catherine Day and the eight other external experts for their work, saying their task was to examine the Commission from a distance and bring experience from other public organisations that have driven innovation and change.

The commissioner said this outside perspective is an essential part of the review, allowing the Commission to import tested ideas from other systems and learn from organisations that have faced similar challenges. He noted that the Commission is not alone in confronting geopolitical volatility, technological change and growing uncertainty, nor in operating under resource constraints.

What are the priorities for change?

According to Serafin, the Commission is already a high-performing administration but can do more. He listed sharper focus on what matters, simpler internal processes and procedures, delivery of technological change, an inclusive leadership model and career paths based on merit alone, and reconnection with national administrations and member states.

The commissioner said the report adds to an internal reflection process that began as a bottom-up exercise and has now drawn in a large share of the Commission's staff. Employees have clearly signalled an appetite for improving working methods and have built a strong case for change, he said.

What happens next?

Serafin said both the High-Level Group's report and staff input give the Commission a mandate for far-reaching reform. He pledged that he and his team will use the group's ideas as inspiration for the final report in the coming months.

The commissioner closed by thanking Catherine Day and the group's members for their efforts in helping the Commission become future-ready. The final report will follow the internal reflection and the external recommendations, with the Commission positioning the overhaul around technology, simplified procedures and merit-based careers as it adapts to a more uncertain environment.

Source: European Commission