Education in the EU: where do we stand?

Latest data on education in the EU is now available and we have some good news to share! Fewer pupils are now dropping out of school in the EU while more complete a degree. Investment in education has increased further at the EU level.

Asia-Europe: celebrating the bonds between two continents

Europe Meets Asia, Asia meets Europe, marks the launch of a yearly tradition and underlines that the two continents not only have political and economic ties, but also very strong cultural bonds.

De Commissie heeft de winnende steden bekendgemaakt van de derde oproep tot het indienen van projecten in het kader van de Stedelijke Innovatieve Acties.

Komisija ir nosaukusi pilsētas, kuras uzvarējušas trešajā projektu konkursā, kas ietilpst iniciatīvā “Inovatīvas pilsētvides darbības”.

Did you know about EU Trade Helpdesk?

Do you have a small business that involves exporting or importing products from EU? The EU Trade Helpdesk can help you!

La Commission octroie un financement à 22 villes pour des projets innovants

22 villes recoivents des fonds pour des projets innovants et un nouvel appel à projets pour la sécurité dans les espaces publics urbain.

Polska: lepsza infrastruktura wodna i energetyczna dzięki funduszom UE.Ponad 94 mln euro z funduszy polityki spójności zostanie zainwestowanych w dwa projekty na rzecz lepszej infrastruktury wodnej i energetycznej w Polsce.

Slovakia: less traffic congestion and better connectivity with neighbouring countries thanks to EU investments

Over €380 million from the Cohesion Fund is invested in two transport projects in Slovakia, aiming to upgrade the motorway network. EU-funded works will provide solutions to congestion problems and improve road connections in the north-west and north-east parts of the country.

What are the benefits of signing trade deals?

Trade deals mean more opportunities, jobs, business growth and investment for Europeans. More choice for consumers along with higher quality goods and lower prices. And trade deals do not just benefit big firms: over 600 000 small businesses in Europe export goods and services to the rest of the world and each has its own story to tell.

EU stands for freedom of speech

Let's pause for a moment and think about what we hold dear: our right to speak freely. The European Commission stands firm on the protection of free speech and free media. Democracy cannot survive if journalists are no longer able to report freely.

Online platforms and advertising industry present concrete steps to fight disinformation

Cooperation between fact-checkers, online platforms and the advertising industry will help effectively fight disinformation.

Crop surveillance helps develop precision agriculture

Farms consume large amounts of fertiliser and plant protection products. The SatAgro application processes satellite data to help farmers monitor crop changes. The data is then used for mapping to show farmers where fertilisers and protection products need to be applied. This saves money and is a more environmentally friendly way of increasing crop yield.

European Digital Skills

The European Commission wants to put the spotlight on projects which contribute to the development of digital skills in Europe.

New avenues, new opportunities for EU and Singapore

The EU and Singapore will be signing a trade agreement on 19 October opening new opportunities for European producers, farmers, service providers and investors.

What does the EU even do? How does it work?

This publication is a guide to the European Union (EU) and what it does. The first section explains in brief what the European Union is. The second section, ‘What the European Union does’, describes what the EU is doing in 35 different areas to improve the lives of people in Europe and further afield. The third section, ‘How the European Union makes decisions and takes action’, describes the institutions at the heart of the EU’s decision-making process and how their decisions are translated into actions.

Futuristic liquid batteries could refuel electric cars in minutes

Companies globally have already shown interest in the liquid battery. This EU-funded research could help overcome one of the biggest drawbacks of electric cars i.e. long charging times.

What is African swine fever?

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating infectious disease of pigs, usually deadly. No vaccine exists to combat this virus. It does not affect humans nor does it affect other animal species other than pigs and wild boars. It can be transmitted either via direct animal contact or via dissemination of contaminated food (e.g. sausages or uncooked meat).

EU and Bill Gates team up to fight climate change

"If Europe is to have a future that can guarantee the well-being of all its citizens, it will need to be climate-friendly and sustainable," the European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker said recently.Bill Gates and the European Commission have come together to fight Climate change. Together they launched the  Breakthrough Energy Europe (BEE), a €100 million joint investment fund to help innovative European companies develop and bring clean energy technologies to the market. This will help achieve Paris Agreement goals and support the global transition to a modern and clean economy.

A Bizottság 22 városnak nyújt támogatást innovatív projektek finanszírozásához – új pályázati felhívás a városi közterületek biztonságával kapcsolatos projektekre.

Here is your chance to make a difference!

Do you want to make a difference in society? Can you help resolve challenging situations in Europe? Volunteer, train with European Solidarity Corps!

Designing better laws for better results

The EU is a front-runner in designing better laws for better results. A new report by the OECD proves progress made by the European Commission on:

- Stakeholder engagement

- Impact assessment

- Ex-post evaluation

And the winners are...

RegioStars Awards identify good practices in regional development and highlight original and innovative projects that are attractive and inspiring to other regions.

Against the Death Penalty

All EU and Council of Europe member states have abolished the death penalty. On a global level, the Council of Europe and the EU will continue to work towards the abolition of the death penalty.

Cross-border parcel delivery made easier

Bringing down prices of cross-border parcel delivery is important as it discourages people from buying and selling products across the EU.

Save the Children

Tune in to @EuropeAid this #DayoftheGirl (11 October) to talk about how we can better protect, empower & invest ingirls around the world, with Commissioner Mimica and Save the Children youth advocate Najmo.

Mental health

#WorldMentalHealthDay: 7% of European Union population report having chronic depression, according to a Eurobarometer study.

For a sustainable Europe: a new bioeconomy strategy

The European Commission has put forward an action plan to develop a sustainable and circular bioeconomy that serves Europe's society, environment and economy.

This tram in Milan tells a story

The tram tells us about people and projects that the EU has invested in. More than 140 projects were already backed by the EU in Italy.

European Commission grants 22 cities with funding for innovative projects

€92 million from the European Regional Development Fund will finance innovative solutions to urban challenges.

All-time record for EU Code Week

It took only 6 days to break the all-time record: with over 25,000 events registered, EU Code Week 2018 is the most successful edition so far.

EU budget behind the figures

In May the European Commission put forward a proposal for the long-term EU budget, which is a result of an open and inclusive debate. The new budget is an opportunity to shape our future as a new, ambitious Union of 27 bound together by solidarity.

The "European Week of Regions and Cities" 2018

“We really need to do more when it comes to gather cooperation and cohesion. The EU is the virtual intersection between regional, national and continental." – President Juncker at the opening ceremony.

Research and innovation for climate action

Global Warming of 1.5 °C: an IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty.

EURES Job helps young Polish man make his Italian dream come true

Maciej Słowikowski, a 25 year old Polish man was living and working as a head chef in a bistro in the heart of London. That was, until he registered with EURES a few months ago and started the process of changing his life completely.

Confused about the directive on audiovisual media services?

It is all about creating a fair regulatory environment for the audiovisual sector. To help you understand better, we explain this directive through fairy tale references with the proverbial 21st century happy ending.

Are you ready to direct your own film?

Lights, Camera, Action! The EU is offering young filmmakers the chance to make their very own #EUandME short film. Five winners will each receive a grant of €7,500, as well as mentoring from a top European director, to help them to bring their idea to life.

New high-quality state schools in Greece’s Attica region

School buildings in Greece often suffer from structural problems and there are also capacity issues. 24 new EU-funded schools in Attica provide top-quality facilities.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated to respond to the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated to respond to the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia. The European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is working 24/7 to mobilise offers of assistance to the affected areas.

Does your pet have a passport?

Don't leave your pets at home when travelling... Get the European pet passport and let them travel with you!

EU budget created added value for the EU citizens

The European Court of Auditors gave the EU annual accounts a clean bill of health for the 11th year in a row. Their report proves that the EU is managing its budget well.The EU budget is small but makes a big difference for millions of Europeans.

Your Europe: a single digital gateway for EU citizens

The single digital gateway will make administrative procedures easier, better and faster for citizens and businesses that wish to move, work or do business across Europe.

EU investments for a new chapter in Greece

Three major transport and environment projects in Greece have received a total of €1.3 billion in support from EU funds.

The European Investment Project Portal: The perfect platform for EU project promoters and investors

The European Investment Project Portal brings together project promoters based in the EU and investors looking for investment opportunities in diverse domains or SMEs.

Future of Europe debate: Estonian PM Jüri Ratas

“Digital is in the DNA of Estonia. It now needs to become part of Europe’s DNA too.” The debate on the future of Europe continues in the European Parliament. Today it was the turn of Estonian PM Jüri Ratas, together with EC VP Ansip.

Greece-Bulgaria: Enhancing hospitals' cooperation on emergencies

Enhancement of cooperation between Komotini's and Kardjali's hospitals and medical staff for their best response in case of emergency issues focusing on car accidents.

EU-funded scientist among Nobel Prize winners in Physics

Gérard Mourou was leading the EU-funded research infrastructure project ICAN, which received €500 000 from the EU’s research and innovation programme!

Améliorer la mobilité pédestre à Liège

«La Belle Liégeoise», la nouvelle passerelle de Liège relie la gare aux quartiers environnant le parc de la Boverie.

New approaches to the study of conflict in Ireland and Northern Ireland

Teaching Divided Histories project introduced new approaches to the study of conflict into school across N. Ireland and Ireland.

1000th European Citizens' Dialogue

Today at 18.00 CET European Commission President Juncker and Mr Winfried Kretschmann, Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg will debate with citizens at the 1000th Citizens' Dialogue in Freiburg, Germany.

How safe is your data online?

It's October. It's European Cyber Security Month!Expand your digital skills, recognise cyber scams, protect your data online and more..

Data breach: what companies need to know

50 million Facebook users were compromised in this huge data breach. What is it and what companies should do when it happens?

Launch of the Community of Practice on Cities in Brussels

On October 5 the Community of Practice on Cities will be officially launched in Brussels! Acknowledging the increasing centrality of the urban dimension, the Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies now fosters a Community of Practice on Cities (CoP-CITIES) that will address specific challenges and features of cities and urban systems, while promoting the adoption of a territorial point of view. The mission of the COP-CITIES is to tap the potential of an extended pool of expertise to improve information sharing and enhance collaboration among stakeholders, including EU citizens. At the kick-off event the CoP-CITIES will be officially launched, other EC services will be invited to join, and its next steps and future developments will be discussed.

EU to invest nearly €700 million in sustainable and innovative transport

The European Commission has proposed to invest €695.1 million in 49 key projects to develop sustainable and innovative transport infrastructure in Europe.

New thematic seminar on State aid in Research, Development and Innovation (RDI)

For practitioners involved in the management of the ESIFunds who have knowledge of State aid in RDI projects.