Today, the High-Level group chaired by Catherine Day shared the results of their reflections on the Large-Scale Review with President von der Leyen and Commissioner Serafin. The purpose of this report is to recommend how the Commission can build the adaptive capacity it needs to continuously evolve and deliver results for future generations.
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 in the Mission Letter to Piotr Serafin, Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, to carry out a large-scale review of the Commission’s organisation and operations. This exercise aims to make the Commission stronger, more agile, and better equipped to serve Europeans in a rapidly changing world.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: ‘In today’s world, Europe needs to be fast, simple and focused. With our large-scale review, we aim for more efficiency. More results, faster. So we can deliver the best possible European public service for our citizens.’
Over the last year, the large-scale review was supported by the High-Level Reflection Group on the Future of the Commission’s Civil Service, composed of nine external experts, that acted as a sounding board throughout the process.
Next steps
The High-Level group report “The Future of the Commission’s Civil Service” is a key external input for the final large-scale review report which will be presented by Commissioner Serafin to President von der Leyen and the College in the months to come. This report will present an agenda for action to equip the European Commission and its staff for the future. The final review will also be informed by an external benchmarking exercise, and an extensive internal reflection process, including wide-ranging staff consultations and reports
Background
The High-Level group report has been prepared by nine members with expertise in transforming public organisations and driving organisational change across Europe. They were appointed in their personal capacities to serve as an external sounding board throughout the process to offer expert insights and an outside-in perspective on the work.
The groups met from October 2025 to October 2026 and focused on the administrative level of the Commission. The group focused on what they see as the key needs that will deliver long-lasting change in the decades ahead.
For more information
High-Level Group report – Large Scale Review
Quote(s)
In today’s world, Europe needs to be fast, simple and focused. With our large-scale review, we aim for more efficiency. More results, faster. So we can deliver the best possible European public service for our citizens.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
I believe that both the report of the High-Level Group and the input from the staff give us a mandate to go for far-reaching changes.
Piotr Serafin, Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration
The High-Level Group report shows that the Commission has deep expertise and highly motivated and committed staff, but that its structures can be optimised to make the most of that expertise.
Catherine Day, chair of the High-Level reflection group
Commission accepts Temu’s action plan to remedy the breach of the Digital Services Act
The European Commission has accepted Temu’s action plan to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA) and tackle the availability of illegal products online. Temu’s plan focuses on five measures to remedy its breach of the DSA.
The company will carry out a platform-specific risk analysis. It will also use reliable metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigation measures put in place in reducing the risk of dissemination of illegal content.
The platform will assess the limitations of its content moderation and analyse whether, and how, its recommender systems may amplify the spread of illegal goods. Additionally, Temu will examine the influence of intentional manipulation and amplification of illegal items, including by sellers exploiting Temu’s features to spread potentially illegal listings.
The company now has four months to conduct an interim risk assessment that covers a six-month period, until 30 November 2026, to ensure the implementation of the measures of the action plan.
The action plan is another example of how the DSA is enhancing consumer protection online and limiting the spread of illegal products in Europe. The action plan was submitted following a non-compliance decision in May 2026, in which the Commission found that Temu had failed to comply with its risk assessment obligations, and issued a pound 200 million fine.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat – Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85)
Commission launches T-MED Investment Platform with up to pound 4.5 billion in EU guarantees
Today, the European Commission published the results of a new Special Eurobarometer on food innovation, offering an EU-wide overview of how Europeans view innovative foods, ingredients and crops.
The survey shows that many Europeans see food innovation as a useful way to help farmers and food producers respond to major challenges. Innovative foods and crops can strengthen the resilience and preparedness of Europe’s food system, widen production options, support food security and help meet changing consumer needs, while respecting the EU’s high safety standards.
At the same time, the findings show that public attitude remains cautious, with comfort consistently higher among younger respondents, those with higher levels of education, urban respondents, and those who are more familiar with innovative foods. People under 39 are more comfortable with innovative foods than those aged 55 and over (over 50% vs 34%). Comfort is also lower among respondents who left school at age 15 than among those who completed their education at 20 or later. A similar pattern appears by place of residence: more than half of those living in large towns feel comfortable with foods developed using modern techniques, compared with 42% to 46% of those in villages or rural areas. Levels of comfort also differ sharply by information and awareness, ranging from 72% among those who feel well informed, to 36% among those who do not, and from 59% among those who had previously heard of innovative foods, to 32% among those without prior exposure.
Many people say they do not feel well informed, highlighting the need for clear information, transparency and trust if innovation is to succeed. The results provide valuable new insight into how food innovation can become more relevant, understandable and acceptable to society.
Europeans see potential, but want better information
The survey shows that Europeans recognise the potential of food innovation. Almost seven in ten respondents (68%) agree that it can give farmers and food producers additional tools to deal with challenges such as climate change, pests, resource scarcity and supply disruptions.
Among the innovative food products presented in the survey, the highest level of acceptance was for fruits and vegetables from crops adapted to drought, pests or extreme weather. Half of respondents (50%) said they would feel comfortable with such products.
However, there is also a clear information gap. Nearly three quarters of Europeans (72%) say they do not feel well informed about innovative foods, ingredients and crops. Overall, 51% say they have a negative view of innovative food products, while 39% have a positive view.
The survey also points to a strong link between information and public attitudes. Among respondents who feel well informed, 72% have a positive view of innovative foods. Among those who do not feel well informed, that figure drops to 27%.
Transparency and safety are key to trust
The findings make clear that transparency matters. A large majority of respondents (85%) agree that innovative food products should have clear names and provide understandable information about how they are produced, what they contain and where they come from.
These results offer important evidence for future policy development, research and innovation, and communication efforts. They can also help researchers, innovators and policymakers better reflect public expectations from the earliest stages of the innovation process.
Supporting the future of food research and innovation
The survey comes at an important moment for the EU’s food research and innovation agenda. Its findings are particularly relevant for Food 2040, the research and innovation policy framework for food systems, which forms part of the recently adopted EU Strategic Approach to Research and Innovation for competitive, resilient and sustainable agriculture, forestry, rural areas and food systems. Food 2040 underlines the importance of involving consumers and interested partners in innovation. Through co-creation and real-world testing, it aims to ensure that new solutions respond to economic, environmental and societal needs.
As Europe works to strengthen the resilience and preparedness of its food system, innovation can expand the range of solutions available to farmers and food producers, support food security and help address environmental pressures and evolving consumer preferences. At the same time, the Eurobarometer shows that successful uptake depends on clear information, transparency, safety and public confidence.
Background
This Special Eurobarometer follows up on the EU Life Sciences Strategy, which recognises that faster innovation must go hand in hand with public trust in new technologies and with ensuring that scientific advances deliver real benefits for people and the planet.
Public understanding and engagement are particularly important in fields such as agriculture and food technology, where innovation is closely linked to health, sustainability, food security and people’s everyday choices.
This Special Eurobarometer provides a timely picture of how Europeans view recent developments in innovative foods, ingredients and crops, the opportunities they see, and the conditions needed to earn their trust.
The survey was carried out in all 27 EU Member States between 22 May and 24 June 2026, with 26,456 respondents aged 15 and over.
For more information
Special Eurobarometer on food innovation
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Luca Dilda – Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53)
EU citizens think innovative foods can be useful but want more information, new Eurobarometer shows
Today, the European Commission published the results of a new Special Eurobarometer on food innovation, offering an EU-wide overview of how Europeans view innovative foods, ingredients and crops.
The survey shows that many Europeans see food innovation as a useful way to help farmers and food producers respond to major challenges. Innovative foods and crops can strengthen the resilience and preparedness of Europe’s food system, widen production options, support food security and help meet changing consumer needs, while respecting the EU’s high safety standards.
At the same time, the findings show that public attitude remains cautious, with comfort consistently higher among younger respondents, those with higher levels of education, urban respondents, and those who are more familiar with innovative foods. A similar pattern appears by place of residence: more than half of those living in large towns feel comfortable with foods developed using modern techniques, compared with 42% to 46% of those in villages or rural areas. Levels of comfort also differ sharply by information and awareness, ranging from 72% among those who feel well informed, to 36% among those who do not.
Many people say they do not feel well informed, highlighting the need for clear information, transparency and trust if innovation is to succeed. The results provide valuable new insight into how food innovation can become more relevant, understandable and acceptable to society.
The survey comes at an important moment for the EU’s food research and innovation agenda. Its findings are particularly relevant for Food 2040, the research and innovation policy framework for food systems, which forms part of the recently adopted EU Strategic Approach to Research and Innovation for competitive, resilient and sustainable agriculture, forestry, rural areas and food systems.
More information is available online in our press release.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel.: +32 2 295 21 17)
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu in Budapest to mark Hungary’s full return to Erasmus+ and discuss equal pay
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, is in Budapest to mark the full resumption of Erasmus+ in Hungary and discuss education, workers’ rights and equal pay.
Today, she will join representatives of the Hungarian Ministry of Children and Education and current and former Erasmus+ students at an event organised by the European Commission’s Representation in Hungary and Hungary’s Erasmus+ national agency. The event follows the Council’s adoption of the Commission’s proposal to lift the protective measures imposed in 2022 under the Conditionality Regulation.
On Tuesday, the Executive Vice-President will meet trade unions and employers’ organisations, including representatives of the public education sector. She will then deliver a keynote speech at an Equal Pay Day conference, before meeting members of the Hungarian National Assembly.
During her visit, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu will also hold bilateral meetings with the Minister of Regional and Rural Development, Viktória Lorincz, the Minister of Social and Family Affairs, Vilmos Kátai-Németh, and the Minister of Children and Education, Judit Lannert.