On 7 July, the European Commission registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Introduction of an unconditional basic income (UBI) across the EU’. The organisers of the initiative believe that,“with rapid advances in artificial intelligence and robotics, there is an urgent need to decouple our livelihoods from our ability to sell our labour, as we […]
The EU is deploying aid to help fight forest fires and tackle the numerous blazes ravaging Portugal and France
As Europe is fighting wildfires in several Member States, the Commission is swiftly mobilising assistance via the EU civil protection mechanism (UCPM). Over the weekend, Portugal and France have activated the UCPM due to devastating wildfires, with several of them active simultaneously and burning thousands of hectares. France activated the UCPM on 5 July. The European Commission […]
The Commission is proposing five joint defence projects to strengthen Europe’s industrial capabilities
The European Commission has proposed five new large-scale projects, known as European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI),to help EU countries strengthen their defence capabilities through the joint development of key military systems. The industrial projects focus on five priority areas: drones and anti-drone systems; maritime and seabed defence; space; air and missile defence; and […]
Specialist prosecutors step up the fight against human trafficking
On 17 and 18 June, the Working Group of Prosecutors Specialising in Human Trafficking met at Eurojust’s headquarters in The Hague. The meeting was co-chaired by the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and focused on recent developments in the fight against human trafficking. This fifth meeting of the Working Group addressed the practical challenges of applying the […]
29 scientists conducting research at Spanish institutions will receive funding
On 23 June, the European Research Council (ERC) announced the winners of its latest call for Advanced Grants. The funding, totalling 838 million euros, will go to 319 leading researchers from across Europe. Advanced grants offer the most experienced researchers the opportunity to carry out ambitious, curiosity-driven projects that could lead to significant scientific breakthroughs. […]
European institutions are committed to placing culture at the heart of EU policy
At the European Council meeting held in Brussels, the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, on behalf of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, signed a joint declarationentitled ‘Europe for culture, culture for Europe’. The declaration sets out […]
Final meeting of the Special Panel on child safety online
Last June 16, the Special Panel on child safety online met for the third and final time. On 13 July, the Panel’s Co-chairs will present recommendations to President Ursula von der Leyen on how to further strengthen the EU’s trailblazing framework for the protection of minors online. On the occasion of the final panel, a new Eurobarometer […]
Training – Youth4Regions – Belgium
Youth4Regions is the European Commission’s programme that helps journalism students and young journalists find out what the EU is doing in their region. It offers the opportunity to receive training in journalism and EU Cohesion Policy, to be mentored by established journalists from your country, and to work alongside renowned journalists during EU Regions Week. […]
Stable funding for the priorities set out in the 2027 annual budget
The European Commission has proposed that the EU’s annual budget for 2027 be set at €200 billion (in commitment appropriations). The draft budget also takes into account the conclusions of the mid-term review of cohesion policy for 2021–2027. Member States are encouraged to use these resources for the Union’s new priorities in the areas of […]