Eurodyssey is a traineeship programme between European Regions. It allows young people aged 18-30 to benefit from a three to seven months paid vocational training course in a foreign business. The aim of the programme is to allow young people to gain work experience while improving their knowledge of a foreign language. Language training: the vast majority […]
Fishing opportunities for 2026 in EU and non-EU waters: Council secures agreement
Fisheries ministers have reached a political agreement on fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and other waters for 2026 and for certain stocks for 2027 and 2028. The deal, reached following two days of negotiations, sets out fishing catch limits, known as ‘total allowable catches’ (TACs), and fishing effort […]
EU introduces customs duties on low-value e-commerce packages
The Commission welcomed last December 12’s decision by EU Member States to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail. Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the EU, the Commission and Member States have together acknowledged the need for an urgent […]
Circular economy: deal on new EU rules for the automotive sector
Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on new EU circularity rules to cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design to final end-of-life treatment. Improved vehicle design and use of recycled materials According to the agreed draft, all new vehicles should be designed so as to allow the easy removal of as many parts […]
Eurobarometer: Digital skills need equal priority in schools alongside reading, maths, and science
Nine in ten Europeans would include digital skills into education at all levels, according to a new Eurobarometer survey published last December 11. The ‘Future Needs in Digital Education’ survey reveals citizens’ views on the importance of digital skills in education, including the role of teachers, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and the benefits and […]
EU becomes major Green Bond issuer
The EU has become one of the largest issuers of green bonds in the world, according to the 2025 edition of the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) Green Bonds Annual Allocation and Impact Report, published last December 9. It shows that, a total of €78.5 billion worth of NextGenerationEU Green Bonds have been issued to date, which will […]
Commission announces reinforcement of controls on products imported into the EU
Last December 9, the European Commission announced a reinforcement of controls on food, animal and plant products entering the EU. At the conclusion of an Implementation Dialogue on import controls with stakeholders, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, set out various measures to strengthen controls at EU borders and in third countries. These measures will ensure […]
Zaragoza wins 2026 Access City Award for leading the way in accessibility for persons with disabilities
Zaragoza (Spain) won the 2026 Access City Award, for its outstanding efforts to making the city accessible for persons with disabilities. The city takes a rights-based approach, grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Its accessibility infrastructure is composed of comprehensive municipal accessibility rules, a clear strategic plan with targets, timelines, and […]
Commission launches major package to fully integrate EU financial markets
Last December 4, the European Commission adopted a comprehensive package of measures designed to remove barriers and unlock the full potential of the EU single market for financial services. This package is a central component of the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) strategy, aiming to create a more integrated, efficient, and competitive financial system providing EU […]