EU Commission Initiates Major Review to Enhance Efficiency and Collaboration
The European Commission is set to launch a comprehensive review aimed at streamlining operations and fostering greater collaboration among its departments by the end of 2025. This initiative comes in response to the need for more effective decision-making processes, particularly in light of crises like Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reports 24brussels.
Commission officials, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, disclosed that alternative models are under consideration, potentially involving the merging of departments. The effort will focus on identifying and eliminating “unnecessary processes” while assessing the distribution of responsibilities within the Commission.
An external advisory group comprising seven to nine experts in areas such as digitalization, organizational culture, and civil service reform will be formed this autumn to provide strategic recommendations. The spokesperson for the Commission emphasized that the group will include participants from both public and semi-public sectors, with additional insights from invited experts from the private sector.
The completion of this review is expected by the end of 2026, with final recommendations being made available as early as late next year. Currently, the Commission employs around 32,000 personnel, responsible for overseeing the myriad administrative functions required to support the EU’s operations.
Since taking office in December 2019, President Ursula von der Leyen has pursued efforts to centralize decision-making within the Commission’s headquarters in Berlaymont, striving to enhance the EU’s responsiveness to emerging challenges. The forthcoming review aims to further this objective, ensuring that the institution remains agile and prepared to address future crises effectively.
