On March 28, the European Commission is proposing a range of measures to ensure Europe’s wine sector remains competitive, resilient, and a vital economic force in the decades to come. The sector is facing several challenges like shifting consumer trends, climate change and market uncertainties. The Commission’s proposal introduces targeted measures to help the sector manage […]
Modernising the cohesion policy to meet current challenges
Cohesion policy is the EU’s main investment policy. It plays a key role in reducing disparities between EU regions to promote economic, social, and territorial cohesion, and making the EU more competitive, sustainable, and equitable. Under its mid-term review of the cohesion policy, the European Commission is proposing amendments to existing laws and inviting EU […]
Commission supports 135 new projects to help Member States implement their reform agenda
On March 31th, the Commission has approved a new round of 135 projects under the Technical Support Instrument (‘TSI’), to support Member States to prepare, design and implement a total of 390 reforms in 2025. The selected projects will help the Member States address reforms in key priority areas to strengthen the Union’s resilience and competitiveness and […]
EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement enters into force
The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) has entered into force, following the completion of Chile’s ratification process. The ITA, which was signed in December 2023, is of key geopolitical importance. It will boost the competitiveness of businesses on both sides, while providing a shared platform for the development of our net-zero economies. This work will be further underpinned by ongoing […]
EU invests over 1.2 billion EUR in cross-border energy infrastructure to strengthen the Energy Union
The Commission will allocate almost €1.25 billion in grants from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to 41 cross-border energy infrastructure projects, which have obtained the status of Projects of Common Interest and Projects of Mutual Interest (PCIs and PMIs) in 2024 under the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) policy framework. This is the largest call for proposals under the current CEF Energy programme, both in terms of […]
What is the Competitiveness Compass?
A new framework to rekindle economic productivity and secure the EU’s competitive edge has been presented by the European Commission. The Competitiveness Compass builds on the recommendations set out in Mario Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness. It will steer the EU’s work on competitiveness over the next five years and translate the report’s recommendations […]
InvestEU is playing a key role in making the EU more sustainable and competitive
The Commission has presented the mid-term evaluation of InvestEU, the EU’s flagship investment programme to facilitate better access to finance for businesses across Europe, in support of common priorities. Halfway through its duration, InvestEU has already unlocked ¤218 billion in additional investment, and 90% of the EU guarantee has been allocated. The programme consists of […]
Commission report shows social investments and reforms support competitiveness, economic growth and social inclusion
Social investments and reforms in key areas can boost employment, social inclusion, competitiveness and economic growth. This is the main finding of the Commission’s 2024 Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) report. Reforms and financial support for early childhood education and care, skills development, lifelong learning, vocational training and certain job support schemes are particularly […]
Mario Draghi outlines his plan to improve Europe’s competitiveness
On Tuesday, Mario Draghi outlined his blueprint for improving Europe’s competitiveness through closer cooperation in core areas and massive investment in shared objectives. Mr Draghi, author of a report on European competitiveness requested by the President of the European Commission, said that the EU needed to focus on three crucial issues: closing the innovation gap […]