The Commission adopted the work programme of the European Innovation Council (“the ERC”) for 2024, which will offer funding opportunities worth more than €1.2 billion by 2024. The bulk of this funding goes to SMEs and start-ups to develop and scale up their ‘deep tech’ innovations in critical areas such as generative artificial intelligence, space, […]
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Commission approves modification of the regional aid map 2022-2027 for Spain
The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a modification of Spain’s regional aid map until 31 December 2027, under the Regional Aid Guidelines. On 17 March 2022, the Commission approved the regional aid map 2022-2027 for Spain, as well as its amendment of 9 March 2023 to increase the aid intensity in […]
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Autumn 2023 Economic Forecast for Spain
Following strong real GDP growth this year of 2.4%, economic activity is expected to slow down in 2024 to 1.7%. Headline inflation is projected to keep moderating over the forecast horizon, although upside risks persist. Based on unchanged policies, the general government deficit is set to remain slightly above 3% of GDP in 2024 despite […]
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According to the latest Eurobarometer, skills shortages are a serious problem for most EU SMEs
A new Eurobarometer survey released today finds that skills shortages are one of the most serious problems for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the EU. The challenge of skills shortages has grown over the years and now encompasses all EU Member States and all sectors of the economy. The survey is a useful tool in understanding […]
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InvestEU: EIF and Laboral Kutxa sign €145 million guarantee to support micro and social entrepreneurship in Spain
EIF grants Laboral Kutxa a guarantee for €145 million in micro and social loans. This is the seventh agreement between the EIF and Laboral Kutxa, who have been working together for 10 years to support the social economy and microenterprise in Spain. The guarantee agreement is backed by the InvestEU programme which aims to mobilise […]
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Council and Parliament reach agreement on 2024 annual budget
The Council and the European Parliament reached agreement on the EU’s annual budget for 2024. Next year’s budget strongly focuses on the EU’s main policy priorities and reacts to the currently difficult geopolitical context. Total commitments are set at €189 385,4 million. €360 million have been kept available under the expenditure ceilings of the current multiannual financial framework for […]
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European Parliament calls for new own resources for the EU
To invest in Europe’s future and support the recovery, the EU has agreed on a binding calendar to introduce new revenue sources for the Union’s budget. In a deal on the EU’s 2021-2027 budget as well as the €750 billion Covid-19 recovery instrument on 10 November 2020, the Parliament, Council and Commission reached an agreement on a binding timeline for the […]
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Instant payments: Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement
The Council and the European Parliament have reached a political agreement on the instant payments proposal, which will improve the availability of instant payment options in euro to consumers and businesses in the EU and in EEA countries. The new rules will improve the strategic autonomy of the European economic and financial sector as they will help reduce any excessive reliance […]
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The European Commission clears the creation of a joint venture between Iberdrola and BP
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the creation of a joint venture between Iberdrola, S.A. of Spain and BP, p.l.c. of the United Kingdom. The operation mainly concerns the markets for the installation, operation and maintenance of a public network of electric vehicle charging stations with fast and ultra-fast charging speeds […]
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