The European Research Council (ERC) has selected 478 early-stage researchers from across Europe to receive this year’s ‘Starting Grants’, worth a total of €761 million, under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. These grants will support excellence in research in various fields, such as physical sciences and engineering, life sciences, social sciences and humanities. Each researcher […]
Commission proposes Mercosur and Mexico agreements for adoption
The European Commission has put forward its proposals to the Council for the signature and conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and the EU-Mexico Modernised Global Agreement (MGA). These landmark deals form a critical part of the EU’s strategy to diversify its trade relations and strengthen economic and political ties with like-minded partners around […]
Commission completes proposal for the 2028-2034 EU long-term budget
Last September 3, the Commission has adopted a second package of seven sectoral proposals completing the framework for the next long-term EU budget for 2028–2034. These legal acts complete the MFF 2028-2034 proposal, and cover the following areas: • The Single Market and Customs Programme; • The Justice Programme; • The Euratom Research and Training […]
Investment in education across Europe is increasing
A new report from the European Commission highlights a positive shift in education funding across Europe, which is boosting the EU’s competitive advantage. The report, entitled ‘Investing in Education 2025’, details multiple economic and social benefits and shows that public investment in education is recovering after the decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, although it […]
The Commission is gathering opinions on electrification, heating and cooling
The Commission has launched a series of calls for public consultation on two initiatives that will be key to fully implementing the Clean Industry Pact and the Affordable Energy Action Plan: the Action Plan for Electrification and the Heating and Cooling Strategy. The Action Plan for Electrification will set out how to accelerate the cost-effective […]
Code of Conduct for the reliability of online reviews of tourist accommodation approved
On 1 September, various stakeholders in the EU tourism ecosystem took an important step towards ensuring that online reviews and ratings of hotels and other types of tourist accommodation are reliable, by approving the “Code of Conduct for Online Reviews and Ratings for Tourist Accommodation”. The new Code aims to achieve greater transparency and reliability […]
EU donates financial and in-kind assistance due to the earthquake in Afghanistan
Following the strong earthquake that hit north-eastern Afghanistan, the EU has approved €1 million in humanitarian emergency funding to address the most urgent needs of the affected population. This money will go to humanitarian partners that are already carrying out relief operations on the ground. In addition, the EU will donate around 130 tonnes of […]
Spain dismantles criminal network smuggling migrants from Algeria to the EU
The Spanish Guardia Civil, supported by Europol, dismantled a criminal network smuggling migrants by boats from Algeria to Spain and onwards to other EU countries. The network, led by a Moroccan national, was comprised of both Algerian and Moroccan suspects based in Spain. Their operations relied on significant financial and logistical resources, misusing legitimate businesses […]
The LOCAL-HEAT project promotes solar technology
The EU-funded LOCAL-HEAT project is developing next-generation perovskite materials to make clean energy more accessible and affordable worldwide. One of the main challenges facing photovoltaic energy is how to build high-performance photovoltaic cells that are cost-effective, reliable and sustainable. Perovskites, a unique class of semiconductor materials, offer great potential for addressing this challenge and could […]