Resilient Borders: strengthening cross-border crisis management and spatial planningThe European Commission has completed the Resilient Borders project, launched in February 2025 to help border regions work together on crisis management and spatial planning.Managed by DG REGIO, with AEBR and MOT, the initiative supported 19 pilots, delivering mapping, data collection and tailored action plans. The pilots stress the need for:• access to local data• harmonised procedures• expert exchange• strong trust and communication channels• engagement of actors from political to civil society levelThese results will support DG REGIO’s preparations for the 2028–2034 period and help shape future Interreg orientations.

From Abandoned Tracks to On-Demand TransportIn many rural areas, buses have disappeared, trains no longer run, and people are left with no real mobility options. Old railway lines sit unused while villages gradually lose their connection to the rest of the region.MONOCAB OWL shows that it doesn’t have to be this way.Imagine a small, gyro-stabilised cabin gliding along old single-track railways — autonomous, on-demand, quiet.As flexible as a cab, as efficient as a train.And designed so rural communities are no longer left behind.This isn’t just about transport.It’s about access to services, opportunities, and the simple right to stay, work, and thrive where you live.A clever idea that puts rural regions back on track — literally and figuratively.#REGIOSTARS 2025 Winner — with #EUFunds support.

What EU support really looks like in Portugal’s regionsWhen you look closely at the projects supported across the North of Portugal, the Algarve and the Azores, a pattern appears: they all make everyday life easier, safer and more hopeful for local communities.In the North, renovated cultural spaces and innovation hubs are giving small towns a new sense of purpose. These places bring people together — students, entrepreneurs, families — and help local talent grow instead of leaving.In the Algarve, climate and water-management projects are making a direct difference for people who live with droughts and coastal risks. Reliable water systems and stronger coastlines mean more stability for families, farmers and small businesses.And in the Azores, investments in mobility, education and research are opening doors that didn’t exist before. Young people can train, learn, and plan their future without feeling they need to move away from their islands.Across all three regions, the added value is clear:EU support becomes meaningful when it strengthens the daily life of the people who call these places home.#EUinmyRegion #Portugal #Communities #PeopleFirst #EUFunds

Have you entered the #OLSelfie Video Contest? If not, the deadline has been extended to 28 November at 14:00 CET. Submit your video for a chance to win an Interrail Global Pass! Find info about the rules and prizes here: 👉 https://bit.ly/OLSelfieVideoContest @EUErasmusPlus #EUSolidarityCorps

Did you know that the costs of battery storage have gone down by 93% between 2010 and 2024?🔋😮 #EnergyStorage is vital for driving the #EnergyTransition 🌍 It provides: 🔸Flexibility 🔸Stability 🔸Reliability

The EC 🇪🇺 is working on a data centre #EnergyEfficiency package, due early 2026.As a first output, it will create a label for data centres in Europe. The label will include information on their use of energy, water, and #renewables ⚡️💧☀️.

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The Commission has raised €5 billion on the capital markets! This is another successful EU-Bond issuance under Europe’s unified funding approach!Such results underline not only the EU’s credibility on global markets, but also the strength of Europe’s collective financing capacity.Why is this important for Europe?🪴 Because EU-Bonds finance transformative investment across the Union: from clean energy to digital infrastructure, through programmes backed by NextGenerationEU.💪 Because they enable timely, stable and predictable support to Ukraine, strengthening Europe’s geopolitical resilience.📈 Because a unified, transparent funding strategy ensures lower costs, higher liquidity, and a stronger capital market presence for the EU.🤝 Because this model demonstrates how acting together allows Europe to achieve what no Member State could deliver alone.With today’s transaction, the EU continues to build a robust and reliable funding framework that benefits its citizens, its economy and its partners.We will publish our next funding plan in December.

Violence against women must end, now!This nonverbal Signal for Help is a way to discreetly communicate when you need help.But, of course, a hand sign isn’t enough.The EU is working to eradicate it through:🔹 Stronger support and protection for survivors, with more shelters, 24/7 helplines, and easier ways to report abuse safely🔹 Awareness and prevention campaigns focusing on consent, early intervention, and empowering bystanders to act safely🔹 EU-wide laws that criminalise forced marriage, cyber-abuse, and female genital mutilation🔹 Binding commitments to prevent violence, protect victims, and hold offenders accountable through the Istanbul ConventionFor a world where women can live free from fear 🧡

Europe’s net-zero journey: the regional realityThe EU’s regional emissions pathways analysis shows clear long-term progress toward climate neutrality. Most regions have reduced greenhouse-gas emissions since 1990, with many demonstrating strong decoupling between economic growth and emissions.Recent assessments confirm that EU-wide emissions continued to decline in 2024, but the pace still falls short of what is needed to achieve the -55% target by 2030. The ongoing discussion on a future 2040 climate objective—around a ~90% reduction—adds further urgency to accelerate action in all regions.Key challenges remain in the transport and buildings sectors, where deeper and faster transformation is essential. This is where EU support plays a critical role.Under Cohesion Policy 2021–2027, around €120 billion is dedicated to climate action and the transition to net-zero — roughly one-third of the total Cohesion Policy envelope. These investments help regions develop tailor-made pathways, strengthen resilience and manage the costs and opportunities of the green transition.Europe’s path to climate neutrality will be shaped locally, through regional action supported by EU funds.

According to the International Energy Agency, data centres are responsible for about 1.5% or 415 TWh of the world's total yearly electricity consumption⚡️Projections indicate that it is on course to more than double to 945 TWh by 2030.

💶 EU funds power everyday life in Île-de-FranceFrom cleaner transport and renovated schools to support for local entrepreneurs, EU Cohesion Policy funds are transforming daily life in Île-de-France.As highlighted in the latest Panorama article, EU investments help:🚆 Modernise public transport and reduce emissions🏢 Revitalise neighbourhoods and local infrastructure👩‍💼 Support innovation and create jobs in small businesses🌍 Strengthen social inclusion and access to educationThese EU-funded projects show how Cohesion Policy delivers concrete benefits close to home — improving the quality of life for citizens while boosting sustainable regional growth.📘 Read more about how EU funding supports local communities 👇#EUFunding #CohesionPolicy #EURegions #RegionalDevelopment #Sustainability #UrbanDevelopment #Innovation #France

New EU Call: Interregional Innovation Investments (I3)The Commission has launched a new I3 call under Cohesion Policy to help regions turn smart specialisation priorities into market-ready, interregional projects (clean tech, digital, advanced manufacturing, health, and more).🗓️ Info session: 19 November 2025 (online)📅 Deadline: 19 March 2026, 17:00 CET

What makes a 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 successful? 🤔Register for the second 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 taking place on 5 November at 09.00 - 10.00 (CEST) to learn from Hemma Bieser from OurPower energy cooperative in Austria⚡! The Citizen Energy Breakfast Sessions are a series of interactive webinars spotlighting real-world experiences and lessons from citizen energy initiatives across Europe. Each session features a guest speaker, a fresh topic and region, and plenty of opportunities for audience participation and discussion.

💶 New EU Call: Public Sector Loan Facility — supporting a just and green transitionThe European Commission has launched the second call for proposals under the Public Sector Loan Facility (PSLF), part of the Just Transition Mechanism.This EU initiative helps public authorities in regions most affected by the transition to climate neutrality finance investments in clean energy, sustainable transport, social infrastructure, and job creation.💡 The facility combines EU grants with loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) — making green transition projects more affordable and impactful.🗓️ Deadline for applications: 26 February 2026, 17:00 CET📘 Learn more about eligibility and how to apply 👇#EUFunding #CohesionPolicy #JustTransition #PSLF #GreenTransition #EURegions #Sustainability #EIB #PublicInvestment

The EU leaders' call is clear and so is our commitment: housing is a top EU priority.€19.6 billion from #NextGenerationEU already supports affordable housing across the EU.Next step: a European Affordable Housing Plan, because everyone should be able to afford a home.

Energy poverty is not a single issue – it’s a web of vulnerabilities.From age and health to rural living and housing conditions, millions of Europeans face overlapping barriers to affordable, sustainable energy.As part of the European Poverty Advisory Hub’s new thematic focus on Equity and Vulnerable Consumers, this article explores how policy and practice can better identify and support those most at risk.More information in this article Equity and Vulnerability: Recognising vulnerable and energy-poor groups in the EU

🧭 Guiding EU energy and climate policies on the path to 2030! The 2025 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 is packed with key insights for the energy sector...🔎 It reiterates the critical need to build a secure and resilient Energy Union providing clean and affordable energy🔎 Despite efforts, dependence on fossil fuels in the EU remains - but renewable energy is growing fast🔎 According to the progress report on competitiveness, the EU leads in public research and innovation investment in clean techThe full report, its accompanying documents, country fact sheets and news are available online

Changing gears: how EU funding is powering a new future for mediterranean rural regionsFrom the mountains of Tuscany to the islands of Majorca, rural communities across the Mediterranean are reinventing mobility and opportunity — with EU funding from the Interreg Euro-MED Programme.Three forward-looking projects are showing how cooperation drives sustainable change:🌱 REVIVE – builds green and circular business models for rural economies.🚐 ArtMED – plans for autonomous and on-demand mobility in small towns.⚡ RuralMED Mobility – pioneers electric and shared transport networks.Together, they demonstrate how European cooperation helps rural regions stay connected, create jobs, and cut emissions, ensuring that no Mediterranean community is left behind in the green and digital transitions.📘 Read the full story in Panorama magazine 👇#EUFunding #CohesionPolicy #Interreg #EuroMED #RuralDevelopment #Sustainability #GreenTransition #DigitalTransition #Mobility #EURegions

Delivering better results: updated guidance on Cohesion Policy’s performance frameworkThe European Commission has published updated guidance on the 2021–2027 Cohesion Policy performance framework, helping national and regional authorities monitor progress, evaluate results, and deliver impact where it matters most.This update supports:✅ More transparent reporting on how EU funds are used📈 Stronger performance indicators for better tracking of results🤝 A shared approach across Member States to ensure accountability and effectivenessCohesion Policy is about more than funding — it’s about measurable impact for people, businesses, and regions.The new guidance will help make that impact clearer, stronger, and more consistent across Europe.

Adapting to demographic change: new OECD–EU reports help regions strengthen governance and servicesThe OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, in cooperation with the European Commission’s DG for Regional and Urban Policy, has released the first five regional reports under Pillar 2 of the Talent Booster Mechanism.📍 Nord Vest (Romania)📍 Campania (Italy)📍 Castilla y León (Spain)📍 Azores (Portugal)📍 Banská Bystrica (Slovakia)These studies provide region-specific data and policy recommendations to help local authorities adapt spatial planning, financing and governance systems — and maintain territorial attractiveness amid demographic change.The reports were launched at the OECD conference “Helping Regions Adapt to Demographic Change” in Paris, which gathered stakeholders from all ten participating regions, the European Commission and the OECD.

Ready, set, GROW 🥸 Movember is here!This month is all about raising awareness of men’s health, especially prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. ❤️‍🩹Early detection saves lives! The EU is taking action:🎗️ Through its Beating Cancer Plan, improving access to cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and care🎗️ With the EU-funded PRAISE-U project, working to ensure early detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer💙 With a comprehensive approach to mental health, supporting wellbeing across all different areas of life.

The EU is celebrating 40 years of Schengen by sharing 40 000 travel passes!You could get a free travel pass with #DiscoverEU to explore Europe’s culture, history and diversity.18 and ready to explore Europe? Don’t miss out!

🤝75 years of the European Convention on Human RightsA landmark treaty that reshaped Europe after the second World War, protecting millions of Europeans and supporting our shared values of human rights, democracy and rule of law.Because human rights aren’t optional. They’re universal.

“Journalism is not for yourself, but for others.”This year’s Panorama piece on the Megalizzi–Niedzielski Prize gives the floor to Hildegard Leloué (Pen Award), Sarah Costes (Frame Award) and Elisa Ortuso (Lens Award) — who all show what EU-minded journalism looks like: solution-oriented, human, factual, and close to citizens.They explain how:- Youth4Regions and #EURegionsWeek opened their eyes to the impact of cohesion policy on the ground;- field reporting and good captions matter even more in the age of AI and misinformation;- European values — democracy, dignity, media freedom — are part of daily journalistic choices.By supporting this prize, the European Commission helps keep regional and cohesion stories visible, and backs young journalists who want to tell them.📖 Read the article 👇#CohesionPolicy #EUFunding #MegalizziNiedzielskiPrize #Journalism #MediaFreedom #Youth4Regions #EURegionsWeek

The Education for Climate community just crossed a major milestone – 10,000 passionate educators, youth, and changemakers united by a shared mission: driving climate action through learning! 🎉This isn’t just a number. It’s a growing movement of people exchanging ideas, testing new methods, and showing what’s possible when education leads the way. 💡From monthly cafés ☕ to co-created challenges, every contribution has helped shape this space into what it is today. Thank you for being a part of it! 🌍Not a member yet?

💬 “A home is peace, harmony, family” – Fernando, NextGenerationEU beneficiary. 🇵🇹 In Lisbon, #NextGenerationEU is helping build a more inclusive city. 🏗️ 1,000 new homes built 🏡 1,000 more refurbished Because housing is a right, not a privilege.

It's time to go #BackToSchool, with nature!🌱 What's biodiversity?🦊 What exactly is a species?🏞 What's a habitat?The EU Nature Protection Toolkit for educators, available in all 🇪🇺 languages, helps students find all the answers about #EUEnvironment

🏊 Europe's bathing water has improved, thanks to cutting down organic pollutants and pathogens from urban wastewater!⚠️ But there is still significant pollution of surface and groundwater.

📢 Have your say: a Pact for the EU’s Eastern Border RegionsThe Commission is collecting feedback to shape a Pact for the Eastern Border Regions—so communities at the EU’s border are safer, better connected and more resilient.Who should respond?* Local & regional authorities* Businesses & SMEs* Civil society & NGOs* Young people and academia🗓️ Deadline: 18 September 2025

How is your language learning going?🤔 Need something new?☀️ In August, catch up with English and Danish with OLS! 💬 Subscribe to our newsletter for tips, inspiration and join a community of 200 000+ learners!

⚠️ High temperatures shouldn't mean high bills. When buying fans and air conditioners, check the EU energy label for ‘A’-rated products: ✅ Less energy✅ Fewer emissions ✅ More savings EU consumers saved €1.7B on aircon in 2020 — and could save €5.6B by 2030

Break the language barrier in style💥 Prepare for European Day of Languages with weekly whimsical (and practical) language learning hacks! This week, get on the stage, dare to sing your favourite foreign song with friends

Summer is better - and cooler - with nature! 🏞️With more than 27.000 protected areas, the 🇪🇺 #Natura2000 network is a haven to many threatened species and habitats.🗺️ From mountains to seas, from lakes to national parks, here are 10 sites to explore and enjoy

🚴 🚴 Ready to hop on your bike? 92,000 kms. 17 bike routes. Across the EU and beyond. This is what the EuroVelo map looks like. If you are looking to travel sustainably while enjoying the sights and sounds along the way, choose from one of the many EuroVelo bike routes! Here are a few suggestions! 🗺️ Atlantic – Black Sea passing through 🇫🇷 🇨🇭 🇩🇪 🇦🇹 🇸🇰 🇸🇰 🇭🇷 🇷🇸 🇷🇴 🇧🇬. 🗺️ Mediterranean Route passing through 🇪🇸 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇸🇮 🇭🇷 🇲🇪 🇦🇱 🇬🇷 🇹🇷 🇨🇾. 🗺️ The Atlantic Coast route passing through 🇳🇴 🇬🇧 🇮🇪 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 🇵🇹. 🗺️ Via Romea passing through 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 🇧🇪 🇱🇺 🇩🇪 🇨🇭 🇮🇹. You can follow along the whole route or enjoy just a part of it. The choice and the fun are all yours! 📌 Some of the EuroVelo routes have been made possible thanks to the EU's cohesion policy, that aims to uplift EU regions, socially and economically. #EuropeanUnion

🌍 Last chance to put your green education project on the map! 🌍We're looking for game-changing green education projects across three themes:🔬 Citizenship education⚙️ STEM + sustainability magic🏫 Schools as living labs for changeWhat's in it for you? A platform to showcase your work, connections with Europe's most passionate climate educators, and a possibility to present in Brussels on 23 October for selected nine winners.The catch? Submissions close by *NEW DEADLINE* 14 September, so if you've been sitting on that brilliant project, now is the time to share it!Don't let your innovation stay local when it could inspire change across Europe!

New Call: Establishing cross-border cooperation pointsThe European Commission has launched an open call for proposals to set up Cross-Border Cooperation Points (CBCPs) — practical hubs to help citizens and businesses overcome legal and administrative barriers at internal EU borders.These CBCPs will:🤝 Strengthen cross-border collaboration📑 Provide tailored support on legal/administrative issues🚀 Boost opportunities for local people and businesses in border regions📅 Apply before 14 October 2025 👇Border regions are home to almost one third of EU citizens — and this call helps them thrive.

🌲 Forest soils matter! And more than you may think. This #EUfunded project studied microbes, climate-smart practices & soil health across Europe. The result? Better models, better policy, better forests.

🌿 Cutting fertiliser use by up to 50%. Too good to be true?New microbial solutions from the #EUfunded @excaliburh2020 project help farmers cut fertilisers without reducing crop yields.

When it comes to food and drinks, Europe has it all! 😎 From Sweden’s Arctic raspberries 🇸🇪 to Italy’s sun-kissed San Marzano tomatoes 🇮🇹 and France’s creamy Camembert de Normandie 🇫🇷, the EU is home to a rich and diverse culinary heritage that is worth protecting. With over 3,600 registered Geographical Indications, EU labels like Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) do more than highlight quality. They safeguard tradition, reputation, and regional know-how from imitation. So next time you spot one of these labels, know you’re tasting something truly authentic.

#EnergyEfficiency helps maximise the output while minimising the resources used to achieve it - and it applies everywhere! 🏠🏫🏥A collection of #EnergyFacts, describing the benefits and possibilities energy efficiency offers are presented here