⏳Just 1 month to go to the Annual EU Budget Conference 2026! Ever wondered how Europe’s big budget choices are made? This conference brings together high-level leaders, renowned speakers, and experts for a very direct exchange on the priorities shaping the EU’s future, from resilience to competitiveness and beyond.🎙️With a combination of keynote speeches, ted-talks, and panel discussions, the conference will set the stage for insightful perspectives and ideas on Europe’s future.

🎤 At the Annual EU Budget Conference 2026, it is these moderators who will set the tone for meaningful exchanges across the sessions!We are delighted to introduce the expert journalists who will guide the conversations and ensure a smooth flow throughout the conference:▪️ Méabh Mc Mahon, Chief Anchor at Euronews, International Conference & Event Moderator and this year's ABC Conference Master of Ceremony. With her expertise in EU global affairs, she will be the key voice leading the event and will moderate the conference’s two "3 questions to" sessions and the "In conversation with" panel, adding a dynamic and insightful layer to the discussions.▪️ Paola Tamma, EU Correspondent at Financial Times. Drawing on her extensive experience in EU budgetary and financial matters, she will bring depth and clarity to the panel dedicated to building international partnerships.▪️ Francesca Micheletti, Senior Competition Correspondent at Politico. As expert on European policy, industries and competition, she will moderate the event's panel on Europe's competitive edge, leading a balanced debate while offering a sharp reading of Europe’s strategic priorities.▪️ Jorge Valero Galarreta, Reporter at Bloomberg News. Experienced in economy, EU funds and policy topics, he will moderate our panel on the savings and investment union with dedication and professionalism.Each will bring a unique blend of experience, helping speakers connect, enriching the dialogue and encouraging deeper reflection on the EU budget.

Need some book inspo? 📖You’re in luck, the EU Prize for Literature has just announced this year’s winner!Huge congratulations to Dora Kaprálová with her book ‘Mariborská hypnóza’.And to special mentions Hélène Frédérick, Vladimir Vujović, and all the other nominees.Every year, the European Union Prize for Literature celebrates the best upcoming fiction writers from across Europe.Europe has a rich and diverse literary scene. The prize brings it into the spotlight, encouraging its translation and expanding its reach beyond national borders.

📈 How can Europe strengthen its monetary union? This question opens up a wider reflection on how savings, investment and the common currency can work more effectively together, and how this, in turn, helps Europe build stability and competitiveness at the same time. At the Annual EU Budget Conference 2026, this reflection will take the centre stage through lively exchanges and high-level interventions. Speakers will discuss the foundations of the monetary union, the role of investment in driving growth, and the importance of economic convergence across the EU, tracing where Europe stands today and what choices will define Europe’s capacity to adapt and remain resilient in the years ahead.

40 years since the EU flag was raised in front of our headquarters in Brussels for the very first time.Twelve stars.A single market.Four decades of standing together for unity, solidarity, and diversity.The symbol that fosters Europeans’ sense of community.

An EU budget for peace and prosperity will be one of the central topics at the Annual EU Budget Conference 2026 🌍On 2 July, the event will open an important debate on the role of the EU budget in an increasingly complex and unpredictable global landscape.💡Far beyond just figures and frameworks, high-level speakers will address how the EU budget can concretely remain a stabilising force for peace, economic resilience, and long-term prosperity. From stronger coordination with national budgets to the smarter use of financial instruments, the challenge is clear: how can Europe upgrade its financial architecture to meet today's realities and tomorrow’s demands?➡️A timely and necessary debate for Europe’s future.

Opting for a better energy deal by switching to another provider can help you save a significant amount of money 👛⚡ At the same time, energy contracts can be overwhelming. Important details are often buried in long documents, making it difficult to understand what you are signing up for.Before signing a new energy contract, make sure you👇 ✅ Ask for a summary of the key contractual terms and conditions ✅ Check the total price for your estimated annual consumption, not only the advertised discount✅ Look out for other costs, like network charges, taxes and levies, monthly fees and one-off payments✅Identify the price type – is it fixed, variable, dynamic, indexed, or mixed?

The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive focuses on 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐔, particularly for the worst-performing buildings. 🏗️ 🏚️ The Commission have published a series of fact pages, explaining per topic what is new in the directive – simple language, short texts, and possible to translate in a click! The most recent fact page covers 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Improving a building’s energy performance brings many benefits, such as 💶 Reduced energy bills - renovating buildings can generate yearly savings of up to €881 for each household.⚡ Energy renovations will reduce our gas consumption and our reliance on imports. It's estimated that the energy efficiency measures in buildings between 2020 - 2024 achieved savings equivalent to the cumulative gross inland consumption of Hungary in 2024.🌱 Lower emissions through decreased energy consumption, especially of energy produced with fossil fuels and increased climate resiliance thanks to better insulation, making buildings less prone to overheating.