Large-scale review of the European Commission

Purpose of the Review

The European Commission is committed to ensuring that Europe can draw on a modern, efficient public administration to deliver on its political priorities and make a difference in Europeans' everyday lives. 

To support this goal, President von der Leyen tasked Commissioner Piotr Serafin in September 2024 to carry out a large-scale review of the Commission’s organisation and operations. This review aims to make the Commission stronger, more agile, and better equipped to serve Europeans in a rapidly changing world. 

The final set of specific and actionable recommendations will be delivered by the end of 2026 at the latest.

Themes covered in the review

The review will focus on a number of workstreams which were identified based on an analysis of relevant data, a preparatory internal listening exercise to gather ideas through multiple channels and lessons learned from previous organisational change initiatives.  

The workstreams identified call for transformative change across three broad clusters: People and culture, structures and processes.  

People and Culture: Strengthen a collaborative working culture with shared values, aligned purpose, nurtured talent and accountable leadership.  

Structures: Optimise who does what, governance and allocation of resources. Given the rapidly evolving and increasingly complex policy challenges of today, an agile organisational design that encourages collaboration is essential to ensure the right staff are in the right place when needed. 

Processes: Reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. Exploring the potential of new technological advancements, including AI and data management, will be a key focus.  

High-Level Reflection Group

This review is supported by the High-Level Reflection Group on the Future of the Commission’s Civil Service, composed of external experts that will act as a sounding board throughout the process. The group is chaired by Catherine Day. 

This group will not produce the final recommendations but will serve as an external sounding board for the Commission throughout the process, offering expert insight and providing an external perspective on the work. 

High-Level Reflection Group members

Chair: Catherine Day, former Secretary-General 

Members:  

• Marco Daglio, Head of the Observatory of Public Sector Innovation, OECD ​ 
• Darja Isaksson, Director General, Sweden’s Innovation Agency VINNOVA ​ 
• Luukas Ilves, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine (former Government CIO and Undersecretary for Digital Transformation, Estonia)​ 
• Maria Schack Vindum, Permanent Secretary, Danish Ministry of Green Transition​ 
• Miroslawa Boryczka, Director of Management and Finance, OSCE​ 
• Giorgios Pitsilis, Governor, Greek Independent Authority for Public Revenue ​ 
• Theresa Twachtmann, Managing Director, Die Partnerschaft Deutschland (PD) – Berater der öffentlichen Hand GmbH​ 
• Luis Romero Requena, former Commission Director-General of the Legal Service and Budget