Featured news

Regional development projects from Italy, Malta, Poland, Hungary, and Spain all scooped up awards at the REGIOSTARS awards ceremony in Brussels. The awards recognise projects that through the EU’s Cohesion Policy deliver change on the ground and strengthen economic and social progress in the EU.

On World Mental Health Day, the Commission put forward an EU Support Package on Stigma to break down this barrier, still too common across our workplaces and wider society. The EU is committed to creating a future where everyone's mental health is nurtured, valued and protected.

The EU has adopted a new law that will help ensure that connected home cameras, fridges, TVs, and toys are safe before they are placed on the market. EU rules will now be more coherent for all products connected directly or indirectly to another device or to a network.

To speed up border controls and ensure easier travel, the Commission has proposed to digitalise passports and identity cards for anyone entering or leaving the Schengen area. All EU citizens will be able to get a digital version of their travel documents free of charge and on a voluntary basis.

The EU has mobilised search and rescue teams as well as emergency supplies to support first responders dealing with flash floods and landslides in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Twelve countries offered to assist in the rescue efforts, following the activation of the EU Civil Protection mechanism.

Today marks the start of the European Week of Regions and Cities. This annual event focuses on the EU’s cohesion policy which supports regions and cities across the EU to create jobs, support businesses, improve quality of life and sustainability.

Rising prices and the cost of living (42%) and the economic situation (41%) were the main topics that motivated European citizens to vote in the last European elections in June this year, according to a new survey. A third of voters say that the international situation led them to vote.

The nominees have been announced for the Music Moves Europe Awards 2025. Music fans across Europe are invited to vote for their favourite artist to win the Public Choice award. An international jury will select 5 winners on 16 January 2025 at the Eurosonic Noorderslag Festival in the Netherlands.

The EU is distributing 35,500 travel passes to 18-year-olds to explore Europe at no cost under its DiscoverEU initiative. To qualify for the free pass, people born in 2006 must first answer a quiz about the EU and a question on the European Youth Portal.

European Cybersecurity Month is an annual campaign that aims to raise cybersecurity awareness. Each October, numerous activities take place across Europe including conferences, workshops, trainings, and more, to educate the public about online threats and the importance of digital safety.

26 September is the European Day of Languages. It promotes linguistic diversity, encourages language learning, and highlights the importance of translation and language-related professions. Find out about the yearly Juvenes Translatores competition and how the EU promotes multilingualism.

According to a new analysis, between 8% and 16% of the EU population is facing energy poverty. It also finds that people with low incomes are not necessarily energy poor but that adults with jobs or higher education levels are at less risk of experiencing energy poverty.

This year’s winners of the EU Organic Awards come from Austria, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Spain and Italy. They showcase sustainable and inspiring projects across the European organic value chain in 8 different categories, from Best organic food processing SME to Best organic city.

The 2024 European Week of Sport is an EU initiative to raise awareness about the health benefits of physical activity which takes place between 23-30 September 2024. During the week, citizens of all ages and backgrounds can participate in events and activities that promote an active lifestyle.

Persons with disabilities face significantly higher unemployment rates across Europe. The European Economic and Social Committee is calling for measures to bridge this employment gap. It also wants persons with disabilities to be actively involved in designing policies that affect them.

Following severe flooding across Central and Eastern Europe, the EU has mobilised assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism at the request of Czechia and Poland. In addition, €10 billion of cohesion funding is available to the countries affected by the floods.

New rules under the EU chemicals legislation will soon restrict the use of two sub-groups of PFAS in textiles, food packaging, cosmetics, and other goods. The use of PFAS in certain products poses an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.

The EU has sent 8 planes to help Portugal fight severe wildfires in the northern part of the country. These include 2 planes each from Spain, Italy, France and Greece. This is the second time this summer that Portugal has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism due to wildfires.

President von der Leyen has presented a list of Commissioners-designate and their portfolios, reflecting the ambitions set out in the Political Guidelines for the next mandate of the European Commission.