The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the award of 100 new proof-of-concept grants in the first round of the 2024 competition. This latest round of grants includes the 2000th project since the programme’s introduction in 2011, which will receive proof-of-concept funding. Astrophysicist Nanda Rea, who works at Spain’s Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), […]
Eurostat: EU population increases again in 2024
After a decline in 2020 and 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU’s population has increased for the second consecutive year, rising from 447.6 million on 1 January 2023 to 449.2 million people on 1 January 2024. The negative natural change (more deaths than births) was outnumbered by the positive net migration. […]
The European Commission has published the European Innovation Scoreboard 2024
The innovation performance of the European Union continues to improve at a steady pace, reaching a 10% increase since 2017 and a growth of 0.5% between 2023 and 2024. According to the 2024 edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) published today, most EU Member States have boosted their innovation performance, but the increase varies strongly from one to another. Key […]
European Union priorities for 2024-2029
As the global political landscape is being reshaped by strategic competition, growing global instability and attempts to undermine the rules-based international order, the EU needs a clear strategic plan and a solid framework for actions. In the face of unprecedented challenges, ranging from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the fight against climate change, the situation in […]
Hungary takes over Council presidency
Hungary will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July to 31 December 2024. The Hungarian presidency’s programme is structured around seven priorities, including enhancing the EU’s competitiveness and reinforcing the EU’s defence policy. This is the second time Hungary has held the Council presidency. The Council of the EU is […]
EU leaders agree on top jobs for next institutional cycle
EU leaders have agreed on appointments and nominations for the EU’s top jobs and adopted the strategic agenda for 2024-2029, a policy plan that steers the EU’s future direction and goals. They also adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, security and defence, competitiveness, migration, the Black Sea, Moldova, Georgia, hybrid threats, the fight against antisemitism, racism and […]
European elections 2024: people eligible to vote
The 2024 elections for the European Parliament are set for 6-9 June 2024. Eurostat has asked the National Statistical Institutes of the EU Member States for a dedicated data collection on the number of people eligible to vote. Following the publication of first estimates on 4 April 2024, this article presents the most recent estimates […]
Spring 2024 Economic forecast for Spain
Economic activity in Spain is expected to grow at 2.1% in 2024 and 1.9% in 2025 driven by domestic demand and sustained by continued labour market resilience. The implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) is set to underpin investment growth over the forecast horizon. Headline inflation is projected to maintain its downward trend […]
EU Organic award 2024
The Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production adopted in March 2021 takes the approach that, in order to stimulate organic production, consumer demand for organic products should grow. This requires, amongst other things, increased public awareness of the characteristics and benefits of organic production. For this purpose, the Action Plan includes the launch […]