🗣️ It’s time to have your say on the upcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy! 🍃 Are you an EU citizen, traveller or tourism operator interested in building a better future for #EUTourism? 👉 You’re invited to contribute to the open public consultation and call for evidence on the new tourism strategy.

🏗️🚀 The STEP team from DG BUDG is on the ground at EU Industry Days 2025 in Rzeszów!As the EU’s flagship event for industrial innovation takes place, we are proud to showcase how the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is helping reshape the future of EU industry by:✅ Making EU funds easier and faster to access for businesses✅ Unlocking flexibility in the EU budget to support strategic, future-ready projects✅ Strengthening Europe’s industrial base with resilience, innovation, and competitiveness💡 It’s a great moment to show how the EU budget is powering real results, from smart factories to cutting-edge technologies.Let’s build a stronger European industry together!

We must sustain the ocean that sustains us. Climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and geopolitical tensions continue to pose a threat to our ocean, and we need to step up efforts to protect it. A unified approach is essential for success. The EU Ocean Pact, to be presented at the UN Ocean Conference on 9 June, is bringing together all relevant policies, with a better coordinated and sharpened focus on: 🌊 Ocean health 🐟 Competitive EU Blue economy 🏝️ Coastal communities 🐚️ Maritime security 🤿 Research ⛵ EU ocean diplomacy After all, around half of the oxygen we breathe comes from our planet’s blue lungs.

Discover the best of nature and outdoor activities at Natura 2000. 🏞️ Our Natura 2000 is the largest network of protected areas in the world, a haven for many threatened species and habitats. 🏞️ There are more than 27,000 Natura 2000 sites across the EU. 🏞️ From Bieszczady National Park 🇵🇱 to Veluwe National Park 🇳🇱, Mount Kochylas 🇬🇷, Garajonay National Park 🇪🇸 and Oulanka National Park 🇫🇮, these sites offer you the best of nature and outdoor activities. These sites include everything from mountains to seas, from lakes to national parks, for you to explore and enjoy! Why not discover Natura 2000 sites this summer? One could be next to your city! #Natura2000

📣 Investing in Europe's Strategic Technologies: STEP 2024 Annual ReportHow is the EU turning industrial policy into tangible investment across critical technologies? Through the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), the EU maximises the impact of every euro it spends - by focusing investments on the technologies that matter most for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy.The newly published 2024 Annual Report shows real momentum:✅ Pooling investments efforts across 11 EU programmes✅ STEP Seals - quality labels for strategic projects - have been awarded across 23 EU Member States and are promoted to unlock additional public and private capital.✅ The STEP Portal is simplifying access to EU funding.✅ In 2024, €5.9 billion proposed by pioneer Member States under EU cohesion policy for STEP investments✅ In 2024, 5 EU programmes managed by the EU Commission issued calls for proposals across STEP sectors, for a total of €4.6 billion 🔋 87% for clean and resource-efficient technologies 💻 10% for digital 🧬 3% for biotech Beyond the numbers, STEP enabled unprecedented coordination across EU, national, and regional programmes to steer investments where they matter most and deliver concrete results across the Union.📈 This is more than funding. It’s a blueprint for strengthening Europe's industrial resilience and global competitiveness.

The EU’s energy system. Over the past decade, there has been considerable progress, but important challenges remain.

Got a cool Erasmus+ moment? 📸 Snap your 2025 story, add a caption & enter the OLS Photo Contest! Win 1 of 10 EUR 100 gift cards for books & learning. Hurry, entries close July 31!

What do Europeans really want from their cities?It's not just about infrastructure — it's about feeling good where we live.The latest EU-wide survey reveals what matters most to city dwellers across Europe:✅ Affordable housing✅ Accessible public transport✅ Clean, green spaces✅ Safety and community✅ Opportunities to work, learn, and thrive📊 These insights are shaping how EU funds are invested — from smarter urban mobility to revitalised neighbourhoods. Cohesion policy is helping turn citizens’ voices into concrete action.🗺️ Whether in Brussels, Warsaw, Seville or Riga, the goal is clear:build cities that are more livable, inclusive, and resilient.Read more 👇 #CohesionPolicy #UrbanDevelopment #EUFunds #SmartCities #CitizensFirst #EUinmyRegion

There is no place for hate, in any form, in any society. Hate speech isn’t new. But its spread and scale have increased with the ever-growing use of online platforms. Left unchecked, hate speech fuels conflict and sows division. It can threaten peace and human rights. You can take action to help fight hate speech online: ✅ Challenge hate with facts; ✅ Support those targeted by hate; ✅ Share messages of tolerance and equality; ✅ Prioritise positive content on your social media feeds. In Europe, we have concrete frameworks in place for this, including: 🔹 EU Charter of Fundamental Rights 🔹 Digital Services Act requiring platforms to quickly remove illegal hate speech 🔹 Criminal laws banning incitement to hatred Say #NoToHate, today, and every day!

📊 What has the EU budget delivered? The new Annual Management and Performance Report is here The EU budget is not just about allocating funds, it is about delivering real results for citizens across Europe. Today, we publish the 2024 Annual Management and Performance Report, but what does this look like in practice? ♀️ Almost €38 billion for gender equality 🌍 98 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided 💶 2.5 million businesses supported 🚀 €10 billion mobilised for tech & innovation 🛰️ Galileo in 4 billion+ devices

Time to celebrate a success story in #EUBiodiversity conservation! 🥳 LIFE Lynx has been awarded the #LIFEAwards25 prize for Nature Protection and Biodiversity, as well as the Citizen's Prize! 🏆 This #LIFEProject brought together conservationists, hunters, and local communities to successfully reverse the decline of the Alpine lynx in the Dinaric Alps. A true victory #ForOurPlanet!

Have you subscribed to the newsletter of the Publications Office of the European Union? Every month they spotlight a topic and showcase selected publications from EU institutions, agencies and bodies. Their current spotlight is on European civil protection, which saves lives in Europe and across the globe, every day. I really recommend subscribing! Very good reading tips.

This week, we are celebrating the birthday of Erasmus! 🎉 Erasmus is… learning to ride a bike, music, making a new home for yourself, making friends and so much more… as these stories tell us.Since its launch, Erasmus+ has empowered millions to learn, train, teach, volunteer, and grow across Europe and beyond. 🌍✨ It brings people together, enriches communities, and changes lives. Here are 12 life-changing Erasmus stories:#ErasmusPlus

Building Bridges, Not Borders: Citizens at the Heart of EU CooperationA new €4 million EU-backed project fund is strengthening cross-border collaboration between Denmark and Germany — with one simple goal: bring people closer together.From youth exchanges and cultural festivals to green initiatives and social inclusion projects, this fund supports what matters most: connections between people.Thanks to Interreg and Cohesion Policy, borders become bridges — and communities thrive through shared experiences.🔹 Discover how local actors are shaping cross-border life👇#EUinmyRegion #Interreg #CohesionPolicy #CrossBorderCooperation #SocialEurope #Denmark #Germany #EUFunds

Slovak has words like štvrť with 4 consonants in a row – wild, right? This OLS lesson helps you plan a day out, choose transport & describe places like a pro.

📱 Built to last New EU ecodesign and energy labelling laws have entered into force. Your new smartphone or tablet must last longer, be easier to fix, and use less energy. Here’s what changes for you: 🔧 Easier repairs with spare parts available at least 7 years 💧 More durable devices with better protection against drops, water and dust 💡 Clearer labels showing energy use, battery life and durability 💶 €20 billion savings for consumers by 2030 🌱 One-third less energy used compared to doing nothing Smartphones, smart improvements, smart savings. A win for you.

Celebrate World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development! It’s the perfect time to kickstart your language journey and embrace cultural diversity. 🌐 Explore 29 languages with discovery videos & 5 lessons!

🛬 Plane lands.📳 Flight mode off.💬 “Welcome to Italy! Use your mobile plan just like at home.”We’ve been taking those messages for granted for 8 years.But it wasn’t always this easy:→ 2000s: a 1-minute call within the EU could cost €0.50 to €1.00 or more→ 2007: roaming caps→ 2017: the end of roaming charges→ 2022: the improved “Roam like at home” pack extended to 2032, bringing:🌐 Fast 5G access across the EU💰 Protection from unexpected charges on planes and boats🆘 Better access to emergency servicesFair for operators. Free for you.This is what it means to be in the EU family.

In the margins of the Transport, Telecommunications, and Energy Council of 16 June, the Commission and the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union launched the hashtag#EnergyUnion Task Force ⚡️The Task Force will consist of high-level representatives from the Commission and EU countries, and work towards enhancing cooperation on priority energy issues.This is one of the key deliverables of the Affordable Energy Action Plan – launched in February 2025 – and will focus on key areas such as accelerating connectivity, improving grid planning between EU countries, and optimising the use of energy infrastructure. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘛𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳: 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮.

More than 450 million Europeans. 29 countries. 1 shared freedom.In 2025, we mark 40 years since the Schengen Agreement was signed.This landmark event has reshaped how over 450 million Europeans live, work and travel.Starting with five European countries, Schengen now included 29 members.It is one of the world’s largest zones of free movement, allowing millions to travel freely between countries.

On 10-12 June, the EU Sustainable Energy Week kicks off in Brussels!The 3-day policy conference's 67 sessions are also available online and will focus on 'Powering a fair and competitive green transition.'

💧💧💧 Water is life. But we can no longer take it for granted.Floods, droughts, forest fires and pollution are becoming more frequent across Europe. Climate change is already affecting our health, ecosystems and economy.With the European Water Resilience Strategy, European Commission aims to ensure that by 2050, Europe becomes a sustainable, smart and competitive water-smart economy. We want water in the EU to be:✔️ Clean and affordable for all✔️ Used efficiently across sectors✔️ Protected and restored as part of a healthy water cycle✔️ Managed in a way that strengthens resilience and competitivenessTogether with EU countries, regions, cities, businesses and people, the EU working to manage climate impacts and reduce water-related risks.

We want to hear from YOU, OLS community! 🌍✨ Your feedback helps us improve your language learning journey. Please fill out our general survey—your voice matters!

Combining cycling and train travel just got easier across the EU! 🚆🚲All new and upgraded trains in EU countries will have dedicated spaces for bicycles – making multimodal travel more seamless.In addition, rail companies can now create and update plans to boost bike transport.With more and more people choosing bikes and trains as sustainable ways to get around, the EU is making it happen. Now you can ride wherever the train takes you!

Schengen turns 40! 💙It connects 450+ million people and is the world's top travel destination.Let's celebrate the freedom to travel, study and work throughout Europe.Share your favorite #Schengen40 trip in the comments

Flow Forward: A Resilient Water Future for EuropeFrom climate change to urban growth, Europe’s water systems face mounting challenges. But through EU Cohesion Policy, regions are investing in smart, sustainable water management.🚰 Featured projects in the panorama magazine:🔹 Water reuse in Malta🔹 Nature-based flood defences in Romania🔹 Real-time water quality systems in SwedenWith collaboration, innovation, and EU support, Europe is building resilience—drop by drop 💦👉 Read the full article

📉 EU unemployment remains at historic lows.Eurostat figures show:👉 the unemployment rate for 15-74 year-olds in the EU fell to 5.9% - its lowest rate since 2009and👉1.7 million new jobs were created across the EU economy in 2024.Unemployment is expected to drop even further - expected to reach 5.7% by 2026.What’s driving this?✅ A robust manufacturing and industrial base✅ One of the most educated and highly-skilled workforces in the worldBut we’re not stopping here!The EU is investing in skills to future proof our workforce – over 6.1 million workers have already been trained through our Pact for Skills.

Combining cycling and train travel just got easier! 🚆🚲DYK all new and upgraded trains will have dedicated spaces for full-sized bikes – not just foldables?With more and more people choosing bikes and trains as sustainable ways to get around, the EU is making it happen. Now you can bring your beloved bicycle on trains across the EU!

Europe is the fastest-warming continent 🌡️ In Portugal, #LIFEProject @LifeLungsLisboa in Lisbon is cooling the city — tree by tree, meadow by meadow. 💚 100+ ha of green space 🪴 100k+ saplings planted 🤝 5k+ citizens engaged

In 2024, Europe was the world’s fastest-warming continent.We had the hottest year on record, impacting an estimated 413,000 people. Sea surface temperatures also reached new highs.As our planet heats up, urgent climate action is more critical than ever.

Bulgaria is ready to become the 21st country to adopt the euro. Bulgaria has fulfilled all four of the required economic criteria. This will boost stability, growth and competitiveness and open new opportunities. As a result, European Commission has proposed to give the green light to move forward with the adoption process. The Council will now discuss the proposal and will make a final decision only after hearing the opinions of the European Parliament and the European Central Bank.

Congrats to the #LIFEAwards25 winners 🏆 🏅 LIFE Lynx 🏅LIFE POPWAT 🏅 LIFE Desert-Adapt 🏅LIFE RE-ZIP 🏅 LIFE Lynx These amazing #LIFEProjects are restoring #EUBiodiversity, improving quality of life & helping us adapt to #ClimateChange🌍

🌱 Greener Mediterranean, Stronger FutureFrom sponge nurseries in Tunisia to urban forests in Spain, Interreg is bringing nature-based solutions to life across the Mediterranean. 🌍🌿With €253 million in EU funding, the Interreg NEXT MED programme supports 100+ projects driving environmental resilience, innovation, and community well-being in 15 countries.💡 Highlights:✅ Sponge city systems✅ Urban reforestation✅ Eco-innovation across borders👉 Discover how Interreg is helping the Mediterranean go green#InterregNEXTMED #GreenTransition #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateAction #CrossBorderCooperation

The #EUGreenWeek 2025 Conference started today! 🎉A unique opportunity to follow 3 days of panel discussions & events about how circular solutions can help build a more competitive 🇪🇺 EU!

Cycling isn’t just good for your health – It’s good for the planet, our cities, and the economy. EU cycling in numbers: ✔️ Over 92,000 km of EuroVelo cycling routes across Europe ✔️ Nearly 10 million bicycles produced yearly in the EU ✔️ 1.35 million jobs supported by the EU cycling sector Through the European Declaration on Cycling, the EU has set clear commitments to boost cycling across the EU, including: 🦺 Safe cycling networks in cities 🚌 Better links with public transport 🔋 Deployment of charging points for e-bikes 🚴 Bike highways connecting cities with rural areas Cycling represents freedom, sustainability, and innovation. Let’s make it an easy choice for everyone in Europe, not just on World Bicycle Day, but every day!

From ambition to action: it's time to get concrete.The Cohesion4Transitions Conference is back for its 3rd edition — and this year, it’s all about making transformation real. Not just talking sustainability, climate, and energy — but mobilising solutions, building alliances, and delivering impact.🔎 What’s on the agenda?- Cutting-edge tools to accelerate the green transition- Stories from the ground that inspire and connect- Honest conversations about what’s working (and what’s not)- Space to network with the changemakers across sectorsWhether you're from a local authority, a startup, a citizen group, or an EU institution, you'll leave this conference with more than ideas — you'll leave with momentum.📍Brussels.

🚆 Europe is calling. #DiscoverEU is the answer. The results are out! Check your inbox to see if you’ve been selected for a free rail pass and the chance to explore Europe on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Are you one of the lucky ones? Then you can: 📲 Download the DiscoverEU travel app 🎒 Get ready for the journey of a lifetime 🎟️ Plan your trip: up to 30 days between 1 July 2025 and 30 September 2026 35,000 young Europeans will travel across the continent — discovering new places, making new friends, and creating unforgettable memories. 🎂 As the Schengen area turns 40, we celebrate the freedom that makes DiscoverEU possible: no border checks, no passports — just pure adventure across a united Europe! #Schengen40