EU funds departments face uncertain future under reform plans

A group led by former Secretary-General Catherine Day wants the Commission to work across directorates instead of in silos. Commissioner Serafin must give final recommendations to von der Leyen by the end of 2026.

1 November 2026

A cutaway building with its internal walls crumbling as a figure unfurls a blueprint over it — Illustration generated with AI.

Several major Commission departments, including DG REGIO and DG AGRI, face an uncertain future under plans to overhaul how the EU manages and distributes funds. A group of outside advisers led by former Secretary-General Catherine Day handed its report to the Commission on 26 October 2026. It recommends a shift away from siloed departments toward collaboration across directorates-general and a stronger Secretariat-General. Politico calls it the Commission's biggest shake-up in two decades.

Politico reports that DG REGIO, DG AGRI, DG EMPL, DG MARE and DG RTD are all in question. The review has its roots in 2024. In September 2024, President von der Leyen tasked Commissioner Serafin with a large-scale review of the Commission's organisation and operations.

The group of nine experts made nine interrelated recommendations aimed at making the Commission more agile. Beyond the stronger Secretariat-General the report already named, it wants that department to act as a strategic centre for the whole institution. It also calls for a human-centred approach to artificial intelligence in how the Commission works. The nine members were appointed in their personal capacities, not as representatives of governments or institutions. Their role is to serve as an external sounding board for the Commission as it weighs the changes.

Catherine Day, the Commission's former Secretary-General, chaired the High-Level reflection group behind the review. The group worked on the future of the Commission's civil service. It completed its final report in October 2026. Commissioner Serafin said the outside assessment, together with feedback from staff, gives him a mandate to go for far-reaching changes.

Serafin must present final recommendations to von der Leyen by the end of 2026. But the wait for answers will be longer. In July, he said he did not expect decisions on major structural changes before the 2028-2034 budget negotiations conclude.