Commissioners' editorial August (19/07/2021)

An update from Commissioner Gabriel

Commission adopts proposal for a Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe (19/07/2021)

On 16 July, the European Commission adopted its proposal for a Council Recommendation on “A Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe” to support the implementation of national European Research Area (ERA) policies. The Pact proposal defines shared priority areas for joint action in support of the ERA, sets out the ambition for investments and reforms, and constitutes the basis for a simplified policy coordination and monitoring process at EU and Member States’ level through an ERA platform where Member States can share their reform and investment approaches to enhance exchanges of best practices.

New European Bauhaus - 6 months in the making (19/07/2021)

During its first six months, people from all over the world have been sharing their views and aspirations for the New European Bauhaus. There have been conversations at more than 100 locally organised debates and conferences across Europe, focused on the places we inhabit, our diverse cultural heritage and our relationship with nature. As co-leaders of this design phase, the JRC has collected more than 2,000 examples and ideas, through the various events and through individual submissions to the project.

ERC plans for 2022 announced (19/07/2021)

On 14 July, the Commission adopted the European Research Council's 2022 work programme. The programme includes over EUR 2.4 billion to fund grants for some 1,100 excellent scientists and scholars in the EU and associated countries. The funding will be awarded in a series of grant competitions refereed by panels of internationally renowned researchers.

Euratom Research and Training Programme receives €300 million for fusion research and to improve nuclear safety, radiation protection and training (19/07/2021)

On 02 July the European Commission adopted the Euratom Work Programme 2021-2022, implementing the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2021-2025. The Work Programme outlines the objectives and specific topic areas, which will receive €300 million in funding. These investments will support fusion research, and help to foster progress in a wide range of areas, from further improving nuclear safety and radiation protection, to boosting non-power applications of nuclear technology.

EU launches Women TechEU pilot to put women at the forefront of deep tech (23/07/2021)

Women TechEU addresses this innovation gender gap by supporting women-led deep tech start-ups at the early, riskiest stage. The scheme will offer financial support to women-led startups with grants of €75 000 and first-class coaching and mentoring through the EIC’s Women Leadership Programme.

New report explores potential future scenarios post-COVID-19 (30/07/2021)

The European Commission published the foresight report The Scientific, Technological and Societal Conditions of the End of the COVID-19 Crisis. Exploring the important links between science and industry, public health and socio-economic conditions, this study illustrates the multiplicity of possible near term futures, which will define the trajectory of our longer-term development as a continent and as a Union of peoples.

Meeting with Slovenian Minister of Education, Science and Sport (19/07/2021)

On 8 July, Commissioner Gabriel met with the Slovenian Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Dr Simona Kustec. She welcomed the plans of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council in the areas of education, youth, sport, and research and discussed opportunities for cooperation in the months to come. Together, we will promote inclusive governance, skills, and the green and digital transitions

Consultation on EU higher education initiatives (19/07/2021)

On 5 July, Commissioner Gabriel hosted a targeted consultation with members of the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee to discuss EU higher education policy. The Commissioner presented a European Strategy for Universities, a European approach to micro-credentials, and Education for environmental sustainability. Working together on these initiatives will be key to building a competitive and accessible higher education sector and making the European Education Area a reality.

Roundtable with European EdTech representatives (19/07/2021)

On 7 July, Commissioner Gabriel hosted a roundtable discussion on digital education, bringing together 11 representatives of the European EdTech sector. Collaboration and exchanges with innovation leaders in the private sector are key for a long-term sustainable and effective digital transformation in education and training across Europe. The Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 will contribute to this goal by developing a high-performing digital education ecosystem, fostering digital skills, and facilitating cross-sectorial cooperation.

Eurydice articles published: Academic freedom and online learning in European higher education (19/07/2021)

Academic freedom is a fundamental value in European higher education systems, yet it has rarely been defined in international legally binding documents. A new Focus on article explores what exactly academic freedom is and why it matters. The rapid transition from face-to-face to distance learning and school closures due to the global health crisis have massively affected all levels of education including higher education. Have we learned how to improve online learning during the pandemic? Check out this interview with Learning Technology Advisor Christina Perouli to find out more.

Commission steps up research funding with €120 million for 11 new projects to tackle the virus and its variants (23/07/2021)

The Commission has short-listed 11 new projects worth €120 million from Horizon Europe to support and enable urgent research into the coronavirus and its variants. This funding is part of a wide range of research and innovation actions taken to fight the coronavirus and contributes to the Commission's overall action to prevent, mitigate and respond to the impact of the virus and its variants, in line with the new European bio-defence preparedness plan, HERA Incubator.

Learn more about open calls: Creative Europe and European Solidarity Corps (19/07/2021)

The first calls for proposals under the Creative Europe – Culture Programme have been launched! They include actions on European Networks of cultural organisations, European Cooperation Projects, the Circulation of European Literary Works and the promotion of emerging artists. Check out the recording of our recent info session for more info. The call for the Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering is also open. The label certifies that an organisation is able to carry out high quality solidarity activities in compliance with the principles, objectives, and requirements of the action ‘European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps’. Find out more and watch the recorded info session here.

23 new pilot projects for the EIT’s HEI Initiative: Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education (19/07/2021)

On 15 July, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) announced the 23 winning consortia of the pilot call for proposals for their initiative “Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education.” 135 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and 140 non-academic organisations from 32 countries will benefit from the EIT’s HEI Initiative, which will see up to €27.5 million of funding supporting the innovation capacity of HEI across Europe.

A Resilient Response to Future Challenges: Adult Learning Conference (19/07/2021)

On 8 September, the Slovenian Presidency of the Council will host a conference on adult learning under the theme of “A Resilient Response to Future Challenges.” The videoconference will connect all stakeholders interested in adult learning in order to create a Europe where learning is accessible to all.

SAVE THE DATE: European Week of Sport 2021 (19/07/2021)

The European Week of Sport will take place from 23 to 30 September in Bled, Slovenia. For six years, the European Week of Sport has helped tackle the inactivity crisis by encouraging Europeans to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle. During this year’s edition, the Commission will launch the new HealthyLifestyle4All initiative, which will focus on promoting healthy lifestyles across generations and social groups.

Collaborate to Innovate: Boosting Innovation in Elite and Grassroots Sport in Europe (19/07/2021)

On 30 August, the Commissioner will kick off a Peer Learning Activity on the topic “Collaborate to Innovate: Boosting Innovation in Elite and Grassroots Sport in Europe”, held by the Bulgarian Ministry of Youth and Sports. During the event in Sofia, EU Member State representatives, academia, stakeholders, and businesses will take stock of policies and state of the art projects in the field of sport innovation and identify concrete projects to collaborate on.

Commissioner's editorial July (28/06/2021)

Monthly update from Commissioner Gabriel

Commission to invest €14.7 billion from Horizon Europe for a healthier, greener and more digital Europe (28/06/2021)

The Commission has adopted the main work programme of Horizon Europe for 2021-2022, outlining objectives and areas to receive €14.7 billion in funding. These investments will support European researchers to help accelerate the green and digital transitions, contribute to sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, and enhance Europe's resilience against future crises. Read the factsheet here.

European Green Deal Call: Commission funds 72 projects with €1 billion to boost the EU’s green recovery (28/06/2021)

The Commission has selected 72 research and innovation projects for funding under the European Green Deal Call. These projects will contribute to the EU’s response to the climate crisis and help protect Europe’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Read the Factsheet here.

Commission and industry invest €22 billion in new European Partnerships to deliver solutions to major societal challenges (28/06/2021)

On 14 June, the Commission launched 11 new European Partnerships with industry, to boost investments in research and innovation and to overcome major climate and sustainability challenges, towards making Europe the first climate neutral economy and delivering on the European Green Deal. The Partnerships will also deliver on the digital ambitions set out in Europe's Digital Decade. Read the Factsheet here.

Commission launches Knowledge Centre to fight cancer (28/06/2021)

On 30 June, the Commission launched the Knowledge Centre on Cancer, a new online platform to gather evidence and coordinate actions against the number one cause of death among under-65s in Europe. It will map the latest evidence on cancer, provide healthcare guidelines and quality assurance schemes, as well as monitor and project trends in cancer incidence and mortality across the EU.

European Research and Innovation Days 2021: we need EU research and innovation to ensure a sustainable Europe (28/06/2021)

At this two-day event, policymakers, researchers, innovators, and citizens from Europe and beyond took part in more than 70 immersive sessions to shape the future research and innovation landscape.

EU Knowledge Valorisation Platform launched to accelerate the uptake of research results (28/06/2021)

On 24 June, the European Commission launched the EU Knowledge Valorisation Platform, a digital space that provides an interactive forum to stimulate cooperation across borders and improve the broad uptake of research results in society and the economy.

EU guidelines for the safe reopening of the cultural and creative sectors (28/06/2021)

EU guidelines for the safe reopening of the cultural and creative sectors were published on 29 June. The guidelines aim to provide a coordinated approach in line with specific national, regional, and local conditions.

European Innovation Scoreboard: Innovation performance keeps improving in EU Member States and regions (28/06/2021)

On 21 June, the Commission released the European Innovation Scoreboard 2021, showing that Europe's innovation performance continues to improve across the EU. This year's European Innovation Scoreboard is based on a revised framework, which includes new indicators on digitalisation and environmental sustainability, bringing the scoreboard more in line with EU political priorities.

EIT adopts Regional Innovation Scheme Implementation Framework for 2022 - 2027 (28/06/2021)

The newly adopted Regional Innovation Scheme Implementation Framework provides guidance towards fulfilling a key strategic priority for the EIT as part of its new strategy, the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) 2021-2027. The Agenda sets out an enhanced mandate for the EIT in the coming years and a budget of almost EUR 3 billion under Horizon Europe.

Coronavirus: Commission launches the Coronavirus Global R&I Collaboration Portal (28/06/2021)

At the European Research and Innovation Days today, the European Commission launched a new coronavirus collaboration portal that offers matchmaking opportunities for researchers and research projects worldwide focusing on the socio-economic aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative supports the ’Global Approach to Research and Innovation’.

She Figures 2021 infographic: the path towards gender equality in research and innovation (28/06/2021)

During the Research and Innovation Days, the Commission published a sneak peek of the forthcoming She Figures 2021 publication. For more information, and a new infographic which presents a selection of results at EU level from the forthcoming publication planned for this autumn, please visit our Gender Equality in Research & Innovation website.

Launch of EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda (28/06/2021)

On 14 June, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the launch event of the new EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda. Innovation is crucial to cope with the profound societal, cultural, and economic challenges triggered by COVID-19. The transition to a green, resilient, and digital society is therefore key for Europe’s recovery. The EIT will equip citizens with the right skills and mind-set to unlock their potential and drive this transformation.

Meeting of G20 Education Ministers (28/06/2021)

On 22 June, Commissioner Gabriel participated in the G20 meeting of Education Ministers, where she welcomed the cooperation on education during the Italian Presidency of the G20. At EU level, the European Education Area and the Digital Education Action Plan demonstrate the benefits of working together. The Commissioner underlined the need to re-think our education systems and education’s role in society. She also highlighted that effective and inclusive education will be key in developing our future and in recovering from the cornavirus pandemic.

Roundtable with the European Festivals Association (28/06/2021)

On 22 June, Commissioner Gabriel met the European Festivals Association (EFA) to discuss opportunities and support for festivals in the EU. With a more than 80% increase in its budget, the new Creative Europe programme will help festivals in their recovery and facilitate exchange at European level.

Annual Public Conference of the Coimbra Group (28/06/2021)

On 17 June, Commissioner Gabriel delivered a keynote address at the Coimbra Group Annual Conference 2021, discussing the role of universities in the future of the European Education Area (EEA) and the European Research Area (ERA). She highlighted the need for cooperation between and beyond higher education institutions to further develop EU policy initiatives, notably the European Strategy for Universities, the EEA and the ERA. Through these initiatives the Commission will promote shared values like integrity, academic freedom, social responsibility, and inclusion in the coming transitions.

Meeting with EIT RawMaterials (28/06/2021)

On 21 June, Commissioner Gabriel met with Bernd Schäfer, the CEO of EIT RawMaterials. The Commissioner underscored her commitment to deliver the innovation needed for a sustainable and resilient recovery from the pandemic, for accelerating the green and digital transitions, and for securing the technological sovereignty of Europe. Raw materials play a central role in these priorities and EIT RawMaterials as well as the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) will greatly contribute to the competitiveness of EU economy.

Visit of House of European History (28/06/2021)

On 17 June, Commissioner Gabriel visited the exhibition “Fake for Real: a history of forgery and falsification” at the House of European History. The Commissioner welcomed this historical perspective, which is indispensable in understanding practice of fake news. Quality education at an early age is key to combat disinformation. This is why this year's eTwinning theme is “Media Literacy and Disinformation” and supports teachers in developing students’ critical thinking and online savviness.

Revamped webpages: Digital Education Hub and Digital Education Action Plan (28/06/2021)

The newly revamped website of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027) was published on 11 June. It now features fourteen brand new pages, which cover all initiatives of the Action Plan. It also provides an opportunity to learn more about the Digital Education Hub, to be implemented from January 2022 onwards, which will provide a dedicated space to share expertise and best practices, encourage exchange and information-sharing, and accelerate the uptake of digital innovation in education.

Launch of calls: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (28/06/2021)

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) calls for 2021 and 2022 were launched on 22 June. MSCA support researchers from all over the world, at all stages of their careers and in all disciplines. In 2021, the MSCA will provide around €822 million covering five main actions: MSCA Doctoral Networks, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, MSCA Staff Exchanges, MSCA COFUND, and MSCA and Citizens. Click here to check the latest updates, deadlines, guidance documents, and templates.

First Creative Europe calls published – €88 million for the cultural and creative sectors (28/06/2021)

The first calls of the new Creative Europe programme 2021-2027 have been published. In June, the calls supporting the cultural and creative sectors were launched, making available a total amount of €88 million. This budget will cover European cooperation projects in the field of culture, the circulation and increased diversity of European literary works, and will provide training and performance opportunities for young musicians. For more information and to apply for the calls for proposals, please check the Commission’s Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal.

First European Solidarity Corps calls published (28/06/2021)

The first calls of the new European Solidarity Corps programme 2021-2027 have now been published. With a budget of €1.009 billion, the new programme offers 270,000 opportunities to young people to help address societal and humanitarian challenges through volunteering or by setting up their own solidarity projects. To learn more about the open calls and submit your application, please check the European Solidarity Corps programme page.

Erasmus+ Teacher Academies and Alliances for Innovation info sessions (28/06/2021)

An info session on the call for proposals for the Erasmus+ Teacher Academies took place on 10 June. You can watch the recording here. These new Academies will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the European Education Area. The deadline for submissions is 7 September 2021. You can also watch the recording of an info session on the new Erasmus+ call 'Alliances for Innovation' which took place on 8 June. Alliances for Innovation aim to strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity through cooperation and flow of knowledge among higher education, vocational education and training, and the broader socio-economic environment, including research.

Teachers in Europe: Careers, Development and Well-being online conference (28/06/2021)

An online conference presenting the main findings of the Eurydice report “Teachers in Europe: Careers, Development and Well-being” took place on 3 June. The report focuses on lower secondary teachers and analyses several key aspects and challenges of teachers’ current situation. You can watch the recording of the conference here.

Pathfinder Challenge: calls worth €132 million now open (28/06/2021)

On 16 June, the Commission launched the European Innovation Council Pathfinder Challenges calls. The EIC invites researchers and innovators to bring together the best in science and engineering to crack some of the toughest nuts in key areas of future technologies. The 2021 call has a total value of €132 million and the deadline for submission of proposals is 27 October 2021.

Launch of open public consultation on education for environmental sustainability (28/06/2021)

An open public consultation on education for environmental sustainability was launched on 18 June. The consultation, which will be open until 24 September, will gather input and ideas for a proposal for a Council Recommendation, to be adopted in late 2021. It will address key challenges of integrating sustainability in education, ranging from support for teachers to tackle these difficult issues in the classroom to ensuring that young people acquire the right skills for the green jobs of the future.

Launch of open public consultation on Pathways to Success (28/06/2021)

An open public consultation on the new Pathways to School Success initiative was launched on 24 June and will stay open for 14 weeks. In the framework of the European Education Area, Pathways to School Success will help all learners to achieve their full potential and make European societies fairer, more inclusive, and better prepared for the future. The consultation will collect possible effective measures to build a comprehensive policy framework.

Horizon Europe info-days (28/06/2021)

The Commission has announced the first edition of the Horizon Europe info-days, to take place online from 28 June to 9 July 2021. The 10-day event will give the opportunity to prospective applicants, and other stakeholders of EU research and innovation, to receive information and ask questions about the novelties, main funding instruments and processes of Horizon Europe.

Save the date: Erasmus Congress and Exhibition (ERACON) (28/06/2021)

Commissioner Gabriel will participate in the opening ceremony of the ERASMUS Congress and Exhibition (ERACON 2021). This year’s event will take places in a hybrid format from 5-9 July, virtually and at the University of Economics in Varna, Bulgaria. ERACON 2021 will consist of several workshops and sessions, discussing the new Erasmus+ programme, staff mobility for teaching and training, funding, and many other aspects of Erasmus+.

First expert group meeting on Artificial Intelligence (28/06/2021)

From July on, an informal expert group on Artificial Intelligence and data in education and training will contribute to the preparations of ethical guidelines on AI and data usage for educators. Its kick-off meeting will take place on 8 July, with the participation of Commissioner Gabriel. The group will meet regularly in the next 18 months and produce a report by the end of the year.

Commissioner's editorial June (28/05/2021)

Monthly update from Commissioner Gabriel

Europe’s global approach to cooperation in research and innovation: strategic, open, and reciprocal (28/05/2021)

On 18 May, the Commission adopted a Communication on its Global Approach to Research and Innovation, Europe’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world. With this new strategy, the EU aims to take a leading role in supporting international research and innovation partnerships, and to deliver innovative solutions to make our societies green, digital and healthy.

EU adopts Euratom Research and Training Programme (28/05/2021)

On 12 May the Council of the European Union adopted the the Regulation establishing the Euratom Research and Training Programme for 2021-2025. The programme has a budget of EUR 1 382 million and will contribute to fusion and fission research, support European’s Beating Cancer Plan and strengthen Europe’s nuclear expertise and competences. The Programme will contribute to the implementation of the European Research Roadmap to the realisation of Fusion Energy, which represents a long-term option for large scale, low carbon electricity production.

More information is available in this factsheet.

The European Union and 25 countries sign Joint Statement to strengthen Arctic science cooperation (28/05/2021)

On 9 May, Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, together with ministers from 25 countries signed the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial Joint Statement. The third Arctic Science Ministerial Meeting (ASM3) entitled “Knowledge for a sustainable Arctic”, was co-organised by the governments of Japan and Iceland and took place on 8 and 9 May, in Tokyo and also virtually. Commissioner Mariya Gabriel signed the Joint Statement on behalf of the European Union. This third edition highlighted and consolidated the leading role of the EU on Arctic science.

First meeting of the Expert Group on investment in education (28/05/2021)

On 4 May, Commissioner Gabriel launched the Expert Group on quality investment in education and training and opened their first meeting. The group of 15 outstanding academics and education experts will provide more clarity and solid evidence on how to best invest in education and training to achieve the European Education Area. Their advice will help the Commission and Member States to find innovative and smart solutions to educational challenges in post-COVID-19 times. Well-designed and targeted investment in education and training is indispensable to build stronger, resilient and more equitable educational and training systems across the EU.

EU-Japan policy dialogue on education, culture and sports (28/05/2021)

On 10 May, Commissioner Gabriel met with the Japanese Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Mr Koichi Hagiuda, for a high-level policy dialogue to discuss EU-Japan cooperation in the fields of education, culture and sports. Both sides confirmed their continued commitment to cooperation and support from their respective programmes, and agreed to new cooperation on researcher mobility. Moreover, Commissioner Gabriel and Minister Hagiuda welcomed the progress of the three special joint EU-Japan Erasmus Mundus Master programmes in robotics, extended reality, and history, which were launched as an outcome of the first policy dialogue in July 2018. Commissioner Gabriel moreover expressed her admiration for the organisers of the Tokyo Olympic Games and underlined that sport can bring people together in these times of crisis.

Conference on Culture, Cohesion and Social Impact (28/05/2021)

Commissioner Gabriel opened the Conference on Culture, Cohesion and Social Impact, organised by the Portuguese Presidency on 5 May. The Commissioner emphasised culture’s potential to promote a more inclusive society and reiterated her commitment to address gender gaps, stereotypes and instances of sexual violence in the cultural sector. The Commission’s flagship programme Creative Europe reflects this commitment, supporting projects that directly address gender equality and promoting women’s visibility in culture. With substantially increased funding, the new programme will continue to promote social cohesion, intercultural dialogue and gender equality in the cultural sector.

Launch of Western Balkans Cultural Cooperation Projects (28/05/2021)

On 19 May, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the official launch of 13 cultural cooperation projects between the EU and the Western Balkans, where she was joined by Commissioner Várhely. Selected under a special Call and supported by €5 million from DG NEAR, these projects play an important role in strengthening cultural cooperation between the EU Member States and the Western Balkans. Tackling cross-cutting issues, from gender equality to the environment and migration, they will bring together diverse cultures and create lasting change. Commissioner Gabriel was happy to extend the cultural cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans.

European Youth Week brings together young people across Europe (28/05/2021)

The European Youth Week, which took place from 24-30 May, hosted numerous inspiring sessions across Europe, focussing on the theme “Our future in our hands.” The European Youth Week aims to foster youth participation by engaging, connecting and empowering young people and creating a space to learn more about EU opportunities in the field of youth. Commissioner Gabriel took part in various events throughout the week and responded to young people’s questions on how the new Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes will create more opportunities for youth and boost Europe’s recovery.

EU Prize for Literature celebrates outstanding new literary talents (28/05/2021)

Commissioner Gabriel congratulated the 13 laureates of the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) 2021 on 19 May, together with Graça Fonseca, Minister of Culture of Portugal. The award, which is co-financed by the Creative Europe programme, recognises emerging fictions writers from the European Union and beyond, promotes the circulation and translation of literature, and highlights the richness and diversity of contemporary literature. Across a cycle of three years, the EUPL includes 41 countries participating in Creative Europe and awards one winning author per country.

Commissioner congratulates Digital Education Hackathon winners at Presidency event (28/05/2021)

On 24 May, Commissioner Gabriel participated in the Portuguese Presidency event “Digital Education: To Engage, To Care, To Foster. Digital Education Shaping Today’s and Tomorrow’s Societies.”

Winners of the European Heritage/Europa Nostra awards announced (28/05/2021)

Commissioner Gabriel announced the winners of the European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards on 25 May. The Awards, launched by the Commission in 2002, promote best practices related to heritage conservation, management, research, education and communication. The Commissioner emphasised that the success of the preservation and valorisation of our tangible and intangible heritage depends on the engagement of the people behind it. This year’s 24 laureates, coming from 18 different European countries, act as powerful examples of social responsibility and determination to safeguard our cultural heritage.

Cultural Heritage in Action: peer-learning visits until the end of June (28/05/2021)

Last month, Cultural Heritage in Action hosted several online peer-learning visits focusing on how to successfully integrate cultural heritage in local policies and actions. Financed by Creative Europe, this peer-learning scheme brings together local and regional authorities and stakeholders thus creating a broad learning community. During the visits experts, decision makers and stakeholders explored the successful practices and local context in a city or region and discussed challenges and barriers in supporting cultural heritage. The visits started in late March and will continue until the end of June. This week, participants are exploring Šibenik, Croatia; upcoming visits will feature Nantes, France, and Reggio Emilia, Italy. The selected cities and regions are also featured in the catalogue of good practices to strengthen cultural heritage policies and initiatives.

New handbook to support the development of European nature restoration targets (28/05/2021)

On World Bee Day, the Joint Research Centre published a summary for policy makers of the first EU–wide ecosystem assessment.

The report provides science-based advice on restoring degraded ecosystems, improving the monitoring of their health, and defining methods to assess their condition.

2021 EU Blue Economy report: Emerging sectors prepare blue economy for leading part in EU green transition (28/05/2021)

The European Commission has published the fourth edition of “The EU Blue Economy Report”, a joint collaboration between the European Commission’s department for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and the Joint Research Centre.

It provides an overview of the performance of the EU-27 economic sectors related to oceans and the coastal environment. The sector directly employed close to 4.5 million people in 2018 and generated around €650 billion in turnover and €176 billion in gross value added.

Ethical Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence and Data Usage for Educators (28/05/2021)

The Commission is working on developing ethical guidelines on Artificial Intelligence and data usage for educators through the Digital Education Action Plan. An informal expert group on AI and data in education and training will inform the preparation of the guidelines. Following a mapping undertaken in the last few months, a call for applications for experts was launched on 23 April and closed on 25 May. Work is ongoing to finalise the selection process and prepare for the kick-off meeting. The expert group will meet regularly in the next 18 months. Its first meeting is scheduled for 8 July 2021 and will see the participation of Commissioner Gabriel. The group will then meet in the autumn and produce a report by the end of the year. All these activities will allow to finalise the guidelines by September 2022, when they will be presented in the context of the “Back to school” campaign.

COVID-19 Therapeutics Strategy - announcement of €90 million booster call under Horizon Europe (28/05/2021)

As announced on 17 February 2021, the Commission has mobilised an additional €90 million under Horizon Europe. The funding will support vaccine and therapeutic trials to boost prevention and treatment. It will also support the development of large-scale, COVID-19- related population studies on particular groups, and foster the spread of networks outside Europe.

New European Bauhaus prizes: sign up to vote for your favourite projects (31/05/2021)

The first New European Bauhaus prizes, will celebrate inspiring examples across ten prize categories – from 'products and lifestyle', to ‘reinvented places to meet and share’ - all themed around the core pillars of the initiative: sustainability, quality of experience, and inclusion.

Erasmus+ calls open for submission (28/05/2021)

The Erasmus+ calls are open for submission!

The new programme for 2021-2027 will continue to build on its successful and broad experience focusing on three horizontal priorities: inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, environmental sustainability. Erasmus+ offers opportunities for individuals to spend a mobility period abroad and to receive linguistic training as well as for organisations to collaborate in project partnerships in the fields of academic and vocational training, schools, adult learning, youth and European sport events.

Find out more and submit your applications online.

Pilot project and preparatory actions in sport: apply now (28/05/2021)

The Commission has published three calls for proposals in the field of sport:

Registration now open for R&I Days (28/05/2021)

Registrations are now open for the Research and Innovation Days 2021! The event will take place online on 23 and 24 June, and it will showcase over 60 live sessions covering a wide range of R&I topics, including:

Upcoming: Adoption of the main Horizon Europe Work Programme (28/05/2021)

Our main Horizon Europe Work Programme will soon be adopted. It describes the general rules, admissibility conditions and eligibility criteria of the new EU research and innovation programme and announces the calls for proposals, their overall objectives, and the topics within each call.

Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation 2021: call and info session (28/05/2021)

An information session on the new Erasmus+ action “Alliances for Innovation” will take place on 8 June, from 14.00-17.00.

Commissioner's Editorial May (14/10/2019)

A monthly update from Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

Coronavirus: Commission mobilises €123 million for research and innovation to combat the threat of variants (23/03/2021)

The Commission is mobilising €123 million from Horizon Europe, the new EU research and innovation programme, for urgent research into coronavirus variants. This first emergency funding under Horizon Europe adds to a range of EU-funded research and innovation actions to fight the coronavirus and contributes to the Commission's overall action to prevent, mitigate and respond to the impact of coronavirus variants, in line with the new European bio-defence preparedness plan HERA Incubator.

New European Bauhaus conference: prizes launched (23/03/2021)

Applications are now open for the first New European Bauhaus prizes, launched by Commissioner Ferreira and Commissioner Gabriel at the project’s conference last week.

The ten prize categories – from 'products and lifestyle', to ‘reinvented places to meet and share’ –are all themed around the core pillars of the initiative: sustainability, quality of experience, and inclusion.

Launch of public consultation on micro-credentials (23/03/2021)

On 21 April, we launched a public consultation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability. The consultation will collect ideas for a common definition of micro-credentials – recognition of short, targeted learning courses – and for the development of EU standards ensuring their quality and transparency.

European Parliament adopts Horizon Europe programme (23/03/2021)

On 27 April, Commissioner Gabriel welcomed the adoption of the Horizon Europe programme by the European Parliament. The Parliament also adopted the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) legislative package. The previous day, the Commissioner took part in the plenary session to outline the importance of Horizon Europe and the key role of the EIT under the programme. The EIT identifies talented innovators and provides them with personalised support, from financial help to mentoring and networking. The new package will allow the EIT to deliver on its ambitious objectives and play a key role in the EU’s transition to a green and digital economy.

EU and Japan jointly invest €10,7 million for breakthrough research on advanced biofuels and alternative renewable fuels (23/03/2021)

On 14 April, the European Commission’s Directorate General for Research and Innovation has announced the launch of three joint research and innovation projects in the area of advanced biofuels and alternative renewable fuels. The projects stem from a call supported by the EU together with the Government of Japan, represented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It falls under the framework of the EU-Japan Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. The projects will start on 1 May 2021.

Atlas of Demography launched (23/03/2021)

The Commission has launched an EU ‘Atlas of Demography’ – an interactive online tool to visualise, monitor and anticipate demographic change in the EU, which has been developed by the Commission’s JRC.

The atlas provides quick and easy access to a comprehensive body of demographic data and knowledge, collected at EU, national, regional and local level.

Launch of Earth Observation Knowledge Centre (23/03/2021)

Launched in April, the Knowledge Centre on Earth Observation will act as an efficient coordination mechanism inside the Commission to maximise the use of knowledge generated from Earth Observation, in particular from the European Copernicus Programme, in EU policy-making. It will provide systematic monitoring of the policy needs and priorities for Copernicus products and services and transform best practices and state-of-the-art science into policy-tailored services.

Research and Innovation at the heart of the EU Taxonomy (23/03/2021)

On 21 April, as a key contribution to the European Green Deal goals, the European Commission adopted the EU Taxonomy criteria for economic activities to be qualified as substantially contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, whilst respecting the environment. The process was supported by various Commission services and especially by scientific advice and dedicated reports from the Joint Research Centre. It brings important benefits and new implications for R&I.

Consult the DG Research and Innovation policy workshop report: “EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy – an opportunity for sustainable industrial R&I”

See also the factsheet Research and Innovation at the heart of the EU TAXONOMY.

7 most endangered heritage sites - list announced (23/03/2021)

On 8 April, Commissioner Gabriel joined Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute to announce the 7 Most Endangered sites list of 2021. Launched in 2013 with the support of Creative Europe, the 7 Most Endangered programme contributes to the preservation and restoration of endangered sites by raising awareness among authorities and stakeholders. The Commissioner highlighted the impact of climate change, natural hazards and conflict on heritage sites and pledged her support for safeguarding heritage at risk.

EduTech Europe conference (23/03/2021)

On 28 April, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the EduTECH Europe conference to talk about the future of education and digital technology. Addressing primary and secondary schools, higher education institutions and technology companies through a panel discussion, the Commissioner highlighted how teachers across the EU innovated during lockdowns to deliver emergency remote teaching and blended learning. Teachers, trainers and educational leaders play a key role in the European Education Area and are supported through numerous initiatives, such as the eTwinning online community and the Erasmus+ Teacher Academies.

Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council meeting (23/03/2021)

On 30 April, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the Board meeting of the GenU Global Leadership Council. Generation Unlimited (GenU) is a worldwide initiative that brings together public, private, not-for-profit and multilateral organisations to expand education, training and employment opportunities for young people across the world. The GenU initiative plays an important role in supporting recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and working towards inclusive and effective digital education – key goals that are also at the heart of the Digital Education Action Plan. The Commissioner highlighted the value of learning from each other and welcomed the opportunity to join efforts to help young people thrive.

Meeting with Portuguese Minister of Education Tiago Brandão Rodrigues (23/03/2021)

On 12 April, Commissioner Gabriel met with Portuguese Minister of Education Tiago Brandão Rodrigues to discuss the plans of the Portuguese Presidency for the months ahead. The Commissioner welcomed the work done on equity, inclusion and educational success for all. Close cooperation between the Portuguese Presidency and the Commission is key to realise the ambitious objective of creating the European Education Area by 2025.

Pact4Skills-Cultural and Creative Industries Roundtable (23/03/2021)

On 12 April, Commissioner Gabriel joined Commissioners Schmit and Breton in an online roundtable on the Pact for Skills for the cultural and creative industries (CCIs). Meeting with representatives of major companies, organisations, partners and training providers in the cultural and creative sectors, the Commissioner emphasised the need for cooperation across sectors and disciplines.

Seminar on the European Week of Sport Beyond Borders (23/03/2021)

On 19 April, Commissioner Gabriel was pleased to open the Seminar on the European Week of Sport Beyond Borders, joined by the Portuguese Minister of Education, Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, and the Montenegrin Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Vesna Bratić. The Commissioner stressed the key role played by the European Week of Sports Beyond Borders, the #BeActive campaign and the Erasmus+ programme in reinforcing international, regional and local cooperation in the field of sport.

Stakeholder Consultation with Rectors of the European Universities (23/03/2021)

On 27 April, Commissioner Gabriel and Vice-President Schinas met with Rectors of European Universities to discuss a European strategy for universities, micro-credentials for lifelong learning and education for environmental sustainability.  The European University alliances play a central role in realising a common vision of European higher education and the Commissioner thanked the Rectors for sharing their priceless experience and expertise. This input is essential for the Commission to develop new initiatives, which will support Member States and the higher education community to strengthen transnational cooperation across Europe, adapt to a fast-changing labour market and address climate change.

The EPALE Community Storybook 2020 is out (23/03/2021)

On 20 April, the Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE) published the Community Storybook 2020 with 114 inspirational stories from the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced everyone to adapt to new ways of working and of providing education. This has led educators to develop innovative online training techniques, pushing them to explore new solutions, take risks and think outside of the box. The initiative Community Stories enable the community of adult educators to tell their stories, overcome the sense of isolation and share the issues that were affecting their everyday life and that were challenging their education activities. The EPALE Community Storybook captures these challenging times from the perspective of passionate adult educators.

Virtual Meeting with National Rectors’ Conferences (23/03/2021)

On 28 April, Commissioner Gabriel met with Presidents of the German, French and Polish National Rectors’ Conferences to discuss the future of European higher education, research and innovation. Universities will have to address societal challenges, such as global health and climate change, as well as prepare students, researchers and innovators with the necessary skills for our future societies. The European Strategy for Universities, which is under development, will bring together the European Education Area and the European Research Area.

New EIT initiative launched to boost innovation in higher education (29/04/2021)

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) launched the initiative Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education. The new initiative is part of the EIT Strategy 2021-2027. It aims to help higher education institutions to build the capacity to innovate and to teach innovation and entrepreneurship. The Pilot Call for Proposals invites European higher education institutions to design activities that will improve their entrepreneurial and innovation capacity. Each pilot project could be awarded a maximum of EUR 1.2 million. Institutions can apply here until 25 May  and the selected projects will be announced in June.

Commission opens first European Innovation Council calls worth €1 billion (23/03/2021)

On 9 April, following the launch of the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the announcement of the first funding opportunities, the Commission opened the first EIC Accelerator calls. The funding worth over €1 billion aims to help scale up start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses that have the potential to achieve high impact. While over half of the funding is open to breakthrough innovations in any field, €495 million are earmarked for innovations that support the European Green Deal as well as digital and health technologies.

For more Information:

EIC Accelerator calls
EIC Pathfinder call
EIC Work Programme 2021

Call for Experts for a new Expert Group on AI and Data in education & training (23/03/2021)

We have launched the open call for applications to become a member of the Commission Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence and Data in education and training. As AI systems advance rapidly and data usage is increasing, there is a growing and pressing need for educators and students to have a basic understanding of AI and data usage in order to engage positively, critically and ethically with this increasingly pervasive technology. Are you an expert in ethics in AI or data in education and would like to help us develop guidelines for educators? Apply here until 25 May.

Joint JRC-CoR webinar on smart specialisation and the recovery (23/03/2021)

On 15 April, the JRC and the European Committee of the Regions held a joint webinar to explore how Smart Specialisation can be an effective tool to help territories recover from the coronavirus pandemic and discover new opportunities for more sustainable and inclusive economies.

The event conclusions contribute to identifying challenges in the EU’s innovation system and providing adequate policy responses.

European Research and Innovation Days are getting closer! (24/02/2021)

The European R&I Days 2021 will take place on 23 and 24 June.

The event will be fully digital, allowing policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and citizens from across Europe and beyond to debate and shape the future of research and innovation. This year’s edition is will feature two incredible days with over 60 live sessions, 20+ specialised workshops and an exhibition featuring over 100 of the best research and innovation projects.  

Get ready! Tune in for more news on Twitter @EUScienceInnov and join the conversation at #RiDaysEU

Launch of Creative Europe (24/02/2021)

Stay tuned for the launch of the new Creative Europe programme at the end of the month, which will contribute to the recovery of the cultural and creative sectors. The new programme will support these sectors to become more digital, greener, more resilient and more inclusive. For more information, explore the Creative Europe website  and follow Creative Europe on Twitter @europe_creative.

EU Prize for Literature – winners to be announced 18 May (24/02/2021)

On 15 April, we announced the 2021 shortlist for the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL), which recognises emerging fiction writers from across Europe. The shortlist includes 55 authors and books from 14 participating countries: Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Iceland, Latvia, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden and Tunisia. The winners of the EUPL 2021 edition will be announced on 18 May in a digital event.

Commissioner's Editorial April (14/10/2019)

A monthly update from Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

Horizon Europe's first strategic plan 2021-2024: Commission sets research and innovation priorities for a sustainable future (23/03/2021)

On 15 March, the European Commission adopted the first strategic plan for Horizon Europe. The plan sets the strategic orientations for the targeting of investments in the programme's first four years. It ensures that EU research and innovation actions contribute to EU priorities, including a climate-neutral and green Europe, a Europe fit for the digital age, and an economy that works for people.

Commission launches open access publishing platform for scientific papers (23/03/2021)

On 24 March, the European Commission launched Open Research Europe, a publishing platform for scientific papers that will be accessible to everyone. The platform will present the results of research funded by Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme for 2021-2027, and its predecessor, Horizon 2020.

Open Research Europe will give everyone, researchers and citizens alike, free-of-charge access to the latest scientific discoveries. It directly addresses major difficulties often associated with publishing scientific results, including delays and barriers to the re-use of results and high costs. The platform is an optional service for Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 beneficiaries so that they can comply with their funding requirements for immediate open access, at no cost to them.

EU to launch new support scheme for women in deep tech and call for mentors (23/03/2021)

On International Women’s Day, the Commission announced a new initiative called ‘Women TechEU’ to support women leading deep tech start-ups in Europe, and help grow their companies into tomorrow’s deep tech champions.

‘Women TechEU’ will offer first-class coaching and mentoring to female CEOs and founders, as well as targeted funding to help take their business to the next level. It is funded under the European Innovation Ecosystems work programme of Horizon Europe.

Coronavirus: EU support to innovators yields promising results one year on (23/03/2021)

In the past year, the Commission has invested €226 million through the European Innovation Council (EIC) pilot and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) to support innovative start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and projects to develop solutions in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing crisis. Many of these companies and projects have already generated promising results. EIT and EIC together help to deliver timely investments to innovative startups and build the right ecosystem for them.

Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: A focus on inclusion and staff professionalisation (23/03/2021)

On 3 March, Commissioner Gabriel presented a new toolkit for inclusive early childhood education and care. The toolkit examines how to expand access to affordable, quality education and care services for all families, how to best care for children with special learning needs and how to address multilingualism among children under the age of six.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under Horizon Europe: info event (23/03/2021)

On 23 March an online event on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions presented the main features and novelties of the programme under Horizon Europe 2021-2027. Participants learnt about simplified procedures to apply for funding and heard from project managers, coordinators and fellows about their experiences with the MSCA. Under Horizon Europe, with a budget of over EUR 6.6 billion, the MSCA will continue developing a new generation of highly skilled researchers capable of pushing the boundaries of knowledge even further.

2019 Altiero Spinelli Prize for Outreach Award Ceremony (23/03/2021)

On 17 March, Commissioner Gabriel opened the Award Ceremony for the 2019 Altiero Spinelli Prize, which celebrates grassroots activities that promote knowledge about the EU, enhance citizens’ understanding of its values and support European integration actively. Fostering these activities is key to thrive as a cohesive society. The European project is not always easy to grasp. This must be countered with dedication and hard work, and the awarded projects clearly demonstrate that making an effort to include citizens – especially the youngest – always pays off. After all, we all depend on the unity of our purpose, coming together for peace and prosperity, for freedom and diversity.

Campaign on Media Literacy (23/03/2021)

On 2 March, Commissioner Gabriel launched the eTwinning Spring Campaign 2021 “How to be smart online” which will run until 5 April. As part of the campaign, the Commissioner opened a Webinar on media literacy on 22 March. During the Webinar, Lie Detectors, a news literacy project that aims to turn schoolchildren in Europe aged 10 to 15 into critical thinkers, showed how to place disinformation and media literacy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants learnt how to integrate media literacy into teaching routines, how to avoid pitfalls, and how to speak about conspiracy theories.

You can join the campaign at #eTw4MediaLiteracy and participate in further activities of eTwinning under the annual theme of “Media Literacy & Disinformation”.

EU University and Culture Summit (23/03/2021)

On 29 March, Commissioner Gabriel opened the EU University & Culture Summit “Fostering the Union through Culture and the Arts”, which took place from 29 to 30 March under the Portuguese Presidency of the Council. Culture in all its forms plays an essential role in higher education. The Commission supports universities as catalysts for creativity and critical thinking and promotes an interdisciplinary approach that brings the arts into other disciplines of higher education. Bringing together research, sustainability, art and culture has a direct impact on all of our lives and is crucial to solve the societal issues we face.

JRC book launch: how science can help us build a more resilient Europe (23/03/2021)

Enhanced data collection, more knowledge sharing and a long-term approach to risk will be key in strengthening Europe’s resilience against future disasters, according to a new book published by the JRC.

Education roundtable for Albania (23/03/2021)

On 18 March, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the “Education Round Table for Albania,” which defined new and innovative study programmes for Albania. The event was organised by the Modul University Vienna and attended by Dr Lulzim Basha, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, and representatives of several Austrian universities. The Commissioner underlined the role of the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture and Youth in promoting inclusive and high quality education and training systems, with a view to offering new opportunities for young people in the region.

Europa Nostra: webinar on European Heritage green paper (23/03/2021)

On 22 March, the Commissioner welcomed the launch of the European Heritage Green Paper during a Webinar organised by Europa Nostra. The paper emphasises cultural heritage’s immense potential to drive climate action and support a just transition to a low carbon, climate resilient future. It highlights the significant cultural dimensions of every aspect of the European Green deal, from circular economy to building renovation and ‘farm to fork’ to biodiversity. The Commissioner stressed her commitment to play an active role in this process. The Erasmus+ programme remains a cornerstone for heritage education. Moreover, both Creative Europe and our research programme Horizon will provide appropriate funding for the greening of our cultural heritage. Together we can build a prosperous future for Europe’s cultural heritage, preserving and developing it for the generations to come.

JRC report: Digital risks for children more significant during lockdown, but so are parents’ skills in mitigating them (23/03/2021)

Children required to ‘make do’ with remote learning report that they face negative online content on average more often than before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a recent JRC report, part of the Kids' Digital lives in Covid-19 Times (KiDiCoTi) project.

At the same time, however, the techniques in the parenting toolbox used to deal with such risks also became more refined.

Eurydice report on teachers in Europe (23/03/2021)

On 24 March, Eurydice published its “Teachers in Europe” report. Teachers play an essential role in making learning a fruitful experience for every student. The pandemic has highlighted teachers’ fundamental contribution to our societies. At the same time, teachers face increasing challenges, linked to growing demands and expectations as well as new responsibilities. The report explores the impact of policies on teachers’ behaviours. A Focus On article published on 26 March also sheds light on the impact of remote teaching on teachers’ wellbeing, examining the extent to which remote teaching during the pandemic changed teachers’ working conditions, health and level of stress.

Meeting The Association For International Sport for All (23/03/2021)

On 16 March, Commissioner Gabriel met with The Association For International Sport for All (TAFISA), a leading international organisation promoting Sport for All and physical activity. Sport and physical activity are key to our physical and mental health. Our new Erasmus+ programme aims to ease the impact of the pandemic on the sport sector, providing reinforced budget and offering learning and mobility opportunities for sport staff. The EU Work Plan for Sport 2021-2024 will allow us to work together with Member States and sport organisations on sport and innovation, sport and the environment, gender equality and sport diplomacy. Commissioner Gabriel further presented the new HealthyLifeStyle4All initiative which will promote healthy lifestyle across generations.

Dual food quality: Commission releases study on sensory differences in food products (23/03/2021)

On 23 March, the Commission published the results of the second part of an EU-wide quality comparison of food products marketed under the same branding, a study conducted by the JRC.

International Energy Agency-COP26 Net Zero Summit (30/03/2021)

On 31 March, Commissioner Gabriel participated in the IEA-COP26 Net Zero Summit, a virtual High Level Dialogue, where she joined the Ministerial session on Enhancing International Collaboration on Key Sectors. The session focused on what fora and institutions are needed to enhance international collaboration within each energy use sector.

Co-designing the New European Bauhaus (23/03/2021)

The New European Bauhaus proposes to focus our conversations on the places we inhabit and on our relationship with natural environments, beyond the built environment. It is a practical approach to discover beautiful, sustainable and inclusive ways of living and to use them to inspire our future.

We have opened a conversation to explore questions like : what would the new ideal building be? What would beautiful, sustainable and inclusive places be like? What are the feelings, the sensations, but also the practical requirements and the materials we would use?

Take part in the conversation and discover the latest contributions here.

Commission launches European Innovation Council to help turn scientific ideas into breakthrough innovations (23/03/2021)

On 18 March, at an online event, the European Commission launched the European Innovation Council (EIC) with a budget of over €10 billion (in current prices) for 2021-2027 to develop and expand breakthrough innovations. Building on a successful pilot programme under Horizon 2020, the new EIC is not only a novelty of Horizon Europe, but it is also unique in the world: it combines research on emerging technologies with an accelerator programme and a dedicated equity fund, the European Innovation Council Fund, to scale up innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Around €3 billion of the EIC's budget will go towards the EIC Fund.

Apply for EIT Digital’s Venture Programme (23/03/2021)

EIT Digital’s Venture Programme supports entrepreneurial teams in digital technology from 20 European countries to finalise their market value proposition, start their venture and start raising funds. In the last three years, the programme has invested in the creation of 66 deep tech start-ups to quickly develop their innovations. Companies can now apply for the EIT Digital Venture Programme until 8 April.

Apply for the Food System Master of Science Programme by EIT Food (23/03/2021)

Want to develop in-depth knowledge about food systems by studying at three European universities? Then apply for the Food System Master of Science Programme by EIT Food. The programme is designed to create skills and knowledge crucial for tackling urgent challenges and prepares students to drive a future transformation of the food system.

New European Bauhaus Conference (23/03/2021)

‘Beautiful. Sustainable. Together.' These three words encapsulate the ambitions of the New European Bauhaus. But what exactly do they mean? How can we make our living spaces greener, more affordable, more accessible and overall improve the quality of life for everyone living in Europe? What inspiration can we take from recent projects, and how can we take a truly global perspective to learn lessons on the best way forward? Join us and leading thinkers and practitioners around the world on 22-23 April, for a conversation on the New European Bauhaus initiative.

World Art Day - online press briefing (23/03/2021)

In an online press briefing, the EIT will present how it wants to power innovation with creators, innovators and organisations from the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries on a new partnership from and for creatives. Follow @EITeu for the latest updates.

World Innovation and Creativity Day: webinar (23/03/2021)

A Webinar will outline the upcoming EIT Call for Proposals for Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) Stakeholders and multipliers presenting this new opportunity and how the EIT innovation approach will support the CCSI.

Knowledge Valorisation Week (23/03/2021)

Do not miss the opportunity to be part of the first EU Knowledge Valorisation Week (27-30 April), co-designed and co-organised by DG Research and Innovations with nine EU Member States.

The Knowledge Valorisation Week will showcase excellent examples of strategies and tools to boost the uptake of research results that benefit everyone. It will cover a wide range of topics from inter-sectoral mobility, knowledge transfer intermediaries, smart IP management to industrial and place-based innovation ecosystems and unconventional collaborations for knowledge uptake. A series of online webinars will be web streamed.

3rd European Conference on Connected and Automated Driving (23/03/2021)

The European Commission, together with the ARCADE project, is pleased to announce the 3rd EU Conference on Connected & Automated Driving – EUCAD 2021: Yes, we CCAM! Partnership for Europe on 20 to 22 April 2021. EUCAD is the only conference in Europe that brings together political leaders from the Commission and Member States with high-level representatives of industry, knowledge institutes and road authorities to exchange knowledge and experience on the most recent technological developments and policies in the area of Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM).

5th European Climate Change Adaptation conference: webinars and high-level conference (23/03/2021)

The 5th European Climate Change Adaptation (ECCA) conference will take place on 22 June, back to back with the annual European Research & Innovation Days (23-24 June). ECCA 2021 will turn the spotlight on the pressing need to accelerate the transfer of knowledge from R&I to policies and practices, including societal transformation an behavioural change, in order to increase resilience in Europe and beyond, in a context of rising climate risks.

Participants will have the opportunity to actively engage in the discussions and network with other participants in the virtual marketplace, including the possibility to book 1-on-1 meeings.

Commissioner's Editorial March (14/10/2019)

A monthly update from Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

EU to set up new European Partnerships and invest nearly €10 billion for the green and digital transition (24/02/2021)

On 23 February, the Commission proposed to set up ten new European Partnerships between the EU, Member States and/or industry. The goal is to speed up the transition towards a green, climate neutral and digital Europe, and to make European industry more resilient and competitive. The EU will provide nearly €10 billion of funding that the partners will match with at least an equivalent amount of investment. This combined contribution is expected to mobilise additional investments in support of the transitions, and create long-term positive impacts on employment, the environment and society.

First calls under Horizon Europe to be launched by the European Research Council (24/02/2021)

On 22 February, the European Commission presented the 2021 Work Programme for the European Research Council. This is the first work programme under Horizon Europe, Europe's new Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for 2021-2027. It includes three main calls for proposals for frontier research actions for a total amount of €1.9 billion. The European Research Council (ERC) offers grants to top researchers from anywhere in the world who are ready to come or to stay in Europe to pursue their breakthrough scientific and technological discoveries that can form the basis of new industries, markets, and social innovations of the future.

European Green Deal Call raises high number of proposals under Horizon 2020 (24/02/2021)

On 27 January, the Commission received 1550 proposals for the €1 billion Green Deal call, demonstrating an impressive response from the research community in Europe and beyond. The great interest in this last Horizon 2020 call shows the eagerness of research teams in the EU and beyond to find solutions that will tackle the climate crisis, restore and preserve our ecosystems and protect our societies, driving them through sustainable recovery. We look forward to their breakthrough discoveries and innovations.

35 projects awarded €3.5 million from the European Innovation Council to bring innovations closer to market (24/02/2021)

In the last Innovation Launchpad call, the European Innovation Council Pathfinder Pilot has selected 35 innovative projects aiming to contribute to strengthening European competitiveness and stimulate an open mind-set towards innovation and exploitation.

Graduate tracking expert group report (24/02/2021)

On 19 February, Commissioner Gabriel welcomed the publication of the Graduate Tracking Report. The report provides, for the first time, high-quality data on graduate outcomes that are comparable at European level. It provides valuable feedback from European students that can help policy-makers, educational establishments and researchers make better-informed decisions when designing education curricula, offering career guidance, or identifying skills-development needs. The Commissioner described the report as an important step towards achieving a European-wide implementation of graduate tracking by 2025, which is crucial for the upcoming Higher Education Transformation Agenda and part of the European Education Area policy framework.

Meeting with High-level group on Gender Equality in Sport (24/02/2021)

On 16 February, Commissioner Gabriel attended the first meeting of the High Level Group on Gender Equality in Sport, which she appointed during the recent conference on ‘The recovery of the sport sector after the COVID-19 crisis: the way ahead’. Gender equality is a cross-cutting priority of the EU, and sport is no exception: we are seeing more and more women and girls practising sport and taking leadership positions, inspiring us through their dedication and contributing to broadening the perspective in our communities. Now is the time to build on this momentum, taking advantage of recently adopted EU policies and programmes. In this context, the expertise of the High-Level Group – involving athletes, sport federation presidents, academics and politicians – is key to bring gender equality to the table, define future strategic actions and have a real impact.

Meeting with chess Grand Master Ms Judith Polgar (24/02/2021)

On 22 February Commissioner Gabriel met with chess Grand Master Ms Judith Polgar, universally considered as the greatest female chess player of all time. She was trained to play chess from a very young age, as part of an “educational experiment” by her parents, whose aim was to prove that anyone is capable of high achievement in any field, as long as they receive appropriate and specialised training starting in early childhood. And indeed, Ms Polgar was the youngest chess Grand Master ever, obtaining the title at the age of 15. Her accomplishments are shattering gender stereotypes in a field traditionally dominated by men. Ms Polgar and the Commissioner exchanged on gender equality in education – especially in the STEM area, where girls and women are still under-represented – and on the contribution that chess can give to education and to achieving the European Education Area, as a powerful educational tool in schools all over the world.

New Transitions Performance Index tracks EU progress towards fair and prosperous sustainability: check how your country is doing (24/02/2021)

On 18 February, the European Commission published the new Transitions Performance Index (TPI).

R&I at EU Industry Days as a key enabler for green and digital transition (24/02/2021)

The European industrial strategy builds a business case for greener, more digital and resilient industry. Research and innovation (R&I) is a key enabler for the green and digital transition and can help reduce strategic dependencies to ensure an open strategic autonomy for EU industry.

JRC analysis reveals diverse picture of population growth, decline and ageing in Europe (24/02/2021)

Europe’s population is getting older, but not all places are ageing equally. And the gap between regions of population growth and regions of population decline is set to get wider in the coming decades, according to a new report on demographic change from the Commission’s Joint Research Centre.

'The Demographic Landscape of EU Territories' moves beyond traditional country-level analysis to explore demographics at different scales: from regions, right down to individual neighbourhoods.

Cybersecurity challenges in the uptake of artificial intelligence in autonomous driving (24/02/2021)

A report by the JRC and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) looks at cybersecurity risks connected to artificial intelligence (AI) in autonomous vehicles and provides recommendations for mitigating them.

By removing the most common cause of traffic accidents – the human driver – autonomous vehicles are expected to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities. However, they may pose a completely different type of risk to drivers, passengers and pedestrians. These systems, like all IT systems, are vulnerable to attacks that could compromise the proper functioning of the vehicle.

MSCA COFUND and Individual Fellowships (24/02/2021)

On 4 February, the Commission announced the results of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). With up to €100 million over five years it will support 19 doctoral and 24 post-doctoral researcher training programmes of outstanding quality from 11 EU Member States and three associated countries. These programmes will foster the high-quality training, supervision and career development of almost 1,200 excellent scientists carrying out their research in a wide range of disciplines, from health to computer science, advanced manufacturing, energy, rural development or prehistory.

DiscoverEU webinar (24/02/2021)

On 15 February, Commissioner Gabriel was invited by Mr István Ujhelyi, Member of the European Parliament (S&D), to a brainstorming webinar with MEPs, cultural and tourism organisations, and representatives of the Portuguese presidency on the future of DiscoverEU. The Commissioner highlighted that the implementation of DiscoverEU under the new Erasmus+ will focus even more on the learning, inclusion and green dimensions, and thanked the MEPs for setting up a mentorship group that will provide useful input into the functioning of DiscoverEU, especially on these three dimensions. The mentorship group will allow the Parliament and the Commission to cooperate even more closely on the common goal of providing as many young people as possible with the opportunity to become mobile and discover Europe and themselves thanks to DiscoverEU.

FIBA WiLEAD webinar (24/02/2021)

On 18 February, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the first of the three WiLEAD (Women in Leadership) webinars, organised by FIBA to share the experiences and the professional challenges of women of high corporate and business repute, with the goal to inspire and unlock the potential in young leaders who require guidance and path-breaking ideas. Gender equality is a big priority for the EU and sports are the perfect ground to show that women can dream big and become leaders.

Opening Ceremony of the Alpine Ski World Championships (24/02/2021)

On 7 February, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the opening ceremony of the Alpine World Ski Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Italian ‘Queen of the Dolomites’. The Commissioner was particularly grateful to the Italian authorities, FIS and the volunteers who successfully organised the competition, despite the difficult circumstances. Sport teaches us resilience, not to give up, to look ahead, and now more than ever we all need to be reminded of these teachings.

Get involved in the New European Bauhaus co-design phase (24/02/2021)

The New European Bauhaus initiative connects the European Green Deal to our living spaces. It calls on all Europeans to imagine and build together a sustainable and inclusive future that is beautiful for our eyes, minds, and souls.

In the co-design phase, running until Summer 2021, we are shaping the movement by gathering and connecting contemporary examples that showcase principles of the New European Bauhaus. We have also launched a call for partners to act as promoters, community managers, sounding boards and key interlocutors throughout the development of the initiative.

Save the date: the European Research & Innovation Days take place on 23 and 24 June 2021 (24/02/2021)

We are happy to announce that the European Research and Innovation Days will take place online on 23 and 24 June 2021.

This year marks the start of Horizon Europe, our most ambitious EU research and innovation programme ever and will be a decisive moment to strengthen our European Research Area. Cooperation in research and innovation is essential in our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and will pave the way to a greener and more digital future.

For now, all you need to do is save the date. Tune in for more news on Twitter @EUScienceInnov and join the conversation at #RiDaysEU.

DigiEduHack Global Award - winners to be announced 26 March (24/02/2021)

On 22 February, we announced the finalists for the DigiEduHack Global Award, selected among the 51 winners of the 2020 DigiEduHack challenges, designed to produce ideas and concepts with a high impact on society as well as ready-to-be-developed solutions. The names of the winners will be unveiled on 26 March, you can follow the announcement here.

EU Youth Conference, 12-15 March (24/02/2021)

On 12 March, Commissioner Gabriel will take part in the opening ceremony to the EU Youth Conference under the newly inaugurated Portuguese Presidency. Taking stock of the topic of the 8th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue, in line with Youth Goal #9 “Space and Participation for All”, the Portuguese National Youth Council and the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU proposed to hold a European 48-hour digital hackathon. The hackathon will challenge young Europeans to develop a digital tool to foster and boost youth participation. Stay tuned to find out more @euYOUTHconf

Open Research Europe publishing platform launch (24/02/2021)

On 24 March, the European Commission will officially launch Open Research Europe, an open access, free-of-charge and high quality publishing platform for scientific papers. The platform offers fast publication and open peer review for research conducted by Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe beneficiaries. Open Research Europe is a publishing solution that goes beyond the standard offering of the current journal-based system in a way that is faster, more open and more transparent. The platform opened for submissions of research papers in late November 2020. Follow the new platform on Twitter @OpenResearch_EU

Edutech Conference (24/02/2021)

On 28 and 29 April the EduTech Conference will take place, a free virtual event – supported by UNESCO – bringing together the people and companies redefining the education tech industry across Europe, with 10 sessions over two days. You can register here.

Erasmus+ Sport Infoday (24/02/2021)

The Erasmus+ Sport Infoday event will take place online on 23-24 March. The event is aimed at potential applicants and will cover the context, future programme and funding opportunities in 2021, giving advice on preparing and submitting proposals, and on the financial aspects of funding.

Launch of EIC calls (24/02/2021)

The first calls of the European Innovation Council (EIC) under Horizon Europe are expected to be announced in the third week of March, along with the launch of the 2021 Women Innovators and iCapital prizes.

Follow @EUeic on Twitter for the latest updates.

Coming up next month: Adoption of First Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-24 (24/02/2021)

The first Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024 will facilitate the implementation of the new Framework Programme and will set out key strategic orientations for the support to research and innovation.

Commissioner's Editorial February (14/10/2019)

A monthly update from Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

New European Bauhaus: Commission launches design phase (29/01/2021)

On 18 January, the Commission launched the design phase of the New European Bauhaus initiative, an environmental, economic and cultural project, aiming to combine design, sustainability, accessibility, affordability and investment in order to help deliver the European Green Deal. The core values of the New European Bauhaus are sustainability, aesthetics and inclusiveness.

European Innovation Council Fund: first equity investments of €178 million in breakthrough innovations (27/01/2021)

On 6 January, the Commission announced the first round of direct equity investment through the new European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund. 42 highly innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) will together receive equity financing of around €178 million to develop and scale up breakthrough innovations in health, circular economy, advanced manufacturing and other areas. Among them, the French company CorWave is the first EU company in which the EIC Fund is investing.

EIC-EIT: working closer together for Europe's innovators (27/01/2021)

On 8 January, Commissioner Gabriel opened an online event for the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) reinforcing their cooperation to help innovators, innovative SMEs and start-ups – as well as higher education institutions and research organisations – receive quality services, deploy and scale up their innovations faster, enabling greater impact. This signature shows that Europe is ready to compete globally on innovation: by working together, the EIT and the EIC are ready to contribute to the acceleration of the twin transition to a green and digital economy.

European Institute of Innovation and Technology: Commission welcomes political agreement on strategy for 2021-2027 (27/01/2021)

The proposals adopted will align the EIT with the EU's research and innovation programme Horizon Europe (2021-2027) delivering on the Commission's commitment to further boost Europe's innovation potential. With a budget of nearly €3 billion, which represents an increase of almost €600 million compared to the current funding period, the EIT will drive the recovery of the economy as well as the green and digital transition in order to build a more sustainable and resilient society. The EIT will boost innovation by involving 750 higher-education institutions in its activities, supporting 30,000 students, bringing 4,000 innovations to the market and promoting 700 start-ups.

Commissioner discusses the social dimension of knowledge with EU Ministers (29/01/2021)

On 21 January, Commissioner Gabriel took part in an informal video conference of Education Ministers under the theme 'The road to the Social Summit in Porto: the contribution of Education and Training', in the framework of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

European Investment Fund announces €300 million of space sector finance (27/01/2021)

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is partnering with the European Commission, to announce €300 million of investments into the EU space sector, supporting ground-breaking innovation in the industry.

During the European Space Conference in Brussels, EIF and the Commission jointly announced investments into two space tech focused funds - Orbital Ventures and Primo Space, under the first ever EU-backed equity pilot - the InnovFin Space Equity Pilot. An additional investment expected to be signed by end of Q1 will mark the full deployment of the €100m InnovFin Space Equity Pilot. These agreements are supported by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the central pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe.

Bilateral meeting with the President of UEFA (27/01/2021)

The Commissioner met Mr Aleksander Čeferin, President of UEFA, on 11 January. UEFA is a key partner of the European Commission in the promotion of active lifestyles but also in fighting violence, racism and discrimination, and promoting environmental sustainability and gender equality. The meeting was extremely constructive and strengthened our cooperation with UEFA: together we are dedicated to developing synergies and winning these battles.

European Parliament plenary debate on cultural heritage report (27/01/2021)

On 18 January, Commissioner Gabriel took part in a debate on the European Year of Cultural Heritage report presented by MEP Dace Melbārde and the European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education. The report highlights the prospects for future EU action in cultural heritage, identifying synergies between EU financial instruments and links with EU priorities. It pays particular attention to the connection between cultural heritage and education and skills, the potential economic dimension and sustainability, as well as digital heritage. The Commissioner stressed the many efforts being made to implement the Commission's vision on managing, safeguarding and promoting Europe’s cultural heritage. These efforts range from providing quality history education to our youth, to protecting our cultural heritage from the threats of climate change and illegal trafficking, supporting research and innovation, and promoting sustainable cultural tourism and digital cultural heritage.

Eurosonic Noorderslag 2021– Music Moves Europe Talent Awards (27/01/2021)

On 15 January, the Commissioner took part in the online ceremony for The Music Moves Europe Talent Awards, the annual European Union Prize for popular and contemporary music organised by Eurosonic Nooderslag and the Reeperbahn Festival, and co-funded by Creative Europe. This edition was particularly emblematic, considering how challenging last year proved to be for the European music industry. The Music Moves Europe Talent Awards are not only a celebration of the richness and diversity of European music, but also a great tool to put the spotlight on young European talents and to help them share their voices with all of us, across borders. In doing that, these awards support the music industry as a whole.

Launch of Erasmus+ App (27/01/2021)

On 28 January the Commissioner attended an event organised by DG EAC to launch the first release of the Erasmus+ App. This App is part of a broad initiative to make mobility as easy as possible for both students and universities. This is achieved by creating a digital one-stop-shop for students (through the Erasmus+ Mobile App) and for the universities, which, through the Erasmus Without Paper Network will ensure a high quality mobility experience for the students.

The first release of the new App is now available in the Google Play and App store as well as a desktop version available on erasmusapp.eu

Remote learning: lessons from the pandemic and the way forward (27/01/2021)

A new study from scientists at the Commission’s Joint Research Centre shows that full-time remote education can worsen existing inequalities and often does not allow for a proper monitoring of students’ performance and well-being. However, remote learning may complement in-person education, in particular for older children. In order for it to be successful all parties need digital, social and emotional competences.

What future for European robotics? (27/01/2021)

Commissioner Gabriel delivered a keynote speech on ‘the impact of robots on society’ at the What future for European Robotics? Science for policy conference organised by the Commission's Joint Research Centre.

Given the importance of robotics for Europe's economic growth and recovery, the conference provided a scientific, policy-oriented and EU-centred analysis covering the technical, economic and social aspects of this technology, identifying the main policy challenges to be addressed.

Report: Creativity – how to assess and foster this key skill for the 21st century (27/01/2021)

JRC experts find that creativity needs a clear and comprehensive definition linked with learning outcomes, tried-and-tested pedagogies and educator support help to turn the goal of developing creativity into practice.

Meeting with UNICEF Executive Director (27/01/2021)

On 26 January, Commissioner Gabriel met with Ms Henriette Fore,UNICEF executive director, on youth-related topics which are key both to the European Commission and to UNICEF, such as inclusive education, youth empowerment and engagement, mental health and well-being. The convergence of views between EU and UNICEF will be extremely valuable in implementing all the EU policies that aim at supporting young Europeans and preparing them to the changing society we are living in. UNICEF shares EU priorities when it comes to the well-being of our youth, which is why the Commissioner invited Ms Fore to meet on a more regular basis: by frequently exchanging ideas and information, we will be better equipped to build towards a positive future.

Meeting with the Secretary General of FIBA (27/01/2021)

On 21 January Commissioner Gabriel met Mr Andreas Zagklis, Secretary General of FIBA, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on sport and the implementation of the European Model of Sport in basketball. The Commissioner wished to thank and compliment FIBA on their commitment to promote sport and active lifestyles in general and basketball in particular, and for their participation in the Erasmus+ Programme through the “Time-Out” projects. Once again, the Commissioner stressed that the EU is dedicated to responding effectively to the socio-economic impacts on the sector, not only because sport is crucial for the health and well-being of citizens, but also in light of the deep link between European cultural heritage and sports, which are part of our tradition and, consequently, of our DNA.

Virtual Meeting with European Youth Forum (27/01/2021)

On 28 January, Commissioner Gabriel met the new President of the European Youth Forum, Ms Silja Markkula, to discuss how the EYF can help the European Commission identify the major concerns and ideas of young people to ensure that the right priorities are addressed by our policies. EYF’s input is especially important in light of the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe, which aims to be a public forum for an open, inclusive, transparent and structured debate around a broad list of challenges. The active contribution of young people there can indeed can make a difference in many respects, in particular towards a digital, green and inclusive recovery, from which the whole Europe will benefit.

Bilateral meeting with the President of the Danube Networkers for Europe (27/01/2021)

On 11 January, Commissioner Gabriel met Ms Carmen Stadelhofer, president of DANET, a network of NGOs located in the Danube basin. They discussed cross-border cooperation between South-eastern and Western Europe in the field of education. Erasmus+ is the main tool to support cooperation in this field, and the Commissioner stressed that one of the priorities of the new programme is inclusion. It aims to reach out to more people with fewer opportunities, and to more adult learners, providing them with better prospects of personal growth and skills development. Social inclusion can be only granted through inclusive education, both for young people who still need to mould their professional and personal profiles, and for adult learners who want to improve their quality of life. Regional and transnational cooperation are at the heart of EU policies to pursue these goals, which is why Danube Networkers for Europe are precious allies.

i-Portunus call for individual applications for architects and cultural professionals working in architecture (16/12/2020)

It’s time for the second round of applications for i-Portunus, the pilot project under Creative Europe that funds international travel for artists and cultural professionals to support the recovery of the cultural sector after months of devastating coronavirus-related restrictions. After the call launched for music professionals and literary translators in December, from 15 January it is the turn of architects and cultural professionals working in architecture. You can apply here.

Adoption of First Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-24 (27/10/2020)

Stay tuned for the adoption of Horizon Europe’s first Strategic Plan which guides the work programmes and topics for the EU R&I programme’s first four years. Horizon Europe, and its Strategic Plan in particular, have been co-designed together with thousands of people across Europe so that it targets issues that matter most.

Education for Climate Coalition - survey results coming soon (27/10/2020)

At the third Education Summit, Commissioner Gabriel launched the Education for Climate Coalition, an initiative which is part of the European Education Area policy framework. It will be fully rolled out in 2021, with the aim of reaching the widest possible mobilisation of the education community in support of the green transition.

Altiero Spinelli Prize for Outreach award ceremony (27/10/2020)

Next month, the 16 winners of the 2019 edition of the Altiero Spinelli Prize will be finally awarded. We will celebrate their outstanding works, activities and products promoting a deeper understanding of EU values and focusing on initiatives which help young citizens engage in the democratic process. Stay tuned to find out on what date the Ceremony is taking place!

Alpine World Ski Championships (27/10/2020)

Commissioner Gabriel will deliver a welcome address by video at this year's FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. Follow the action at Cortina d’Ampezzo from 7th to 21st February.

POLITICO EU Studies and Career Fair (27/10/2020)

Starting on 4 February, this year’s edition of POLITICO EU Studies and Career Fair will open its virtual doors to connect international students and young professionals with the best European universities, companies and institutions. The fair will feature a two-day programme with webinars, interactions and virtual stands. Participants will have the opportunity to discover and to plan their educational future and career in EU studies, international relations, business, economics, public policy, public affairs and law.

Virtual Industry Days 2021 (27/10/2020)

The European industrial strategy builds a business case for greener, more digital and resilient industry. R&I is a key enabler for the green and digital transition and can help reduce strategic dependencies to ensure an open strategic autonomy for EU industry. At the EU Industry Days (23-26 February) we will discuss how the New ERA helps speed up the transfer of research results into the real economy through the development of Common Industrial Technology Roadmaps with Member States, industry and other stakeholders to include R&I investment agendas from basic research to deployment. The aim is to link these roadmaps closely to the Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas, agreed with Member States and industry under the Horizon Europe R&I Partnerships. We will also discuss how the European Innovation Council stimulates business acceleration and growth by bridging the gap between SMEs and large companies.

Commissioner's Editorial January (14/10/2019)

A monthly update from Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

EU Soil Observatory launched to monitor trends of soil health in Europe (16/12/2020)

A proposed Horizon EU mission provides the blueprint for setting Europe on a path towards sustainable soil management. One of the proposed targets is to make sure that at least 75% of all European soils are in a healthy state by 2030. The EU Soil Observatory will monitor the progress towards the achievement of these goals.

European Commission signs a new working arrangement with the World Meteorological Organisation (16/12/2020)

On 14 December, Commissioner Gabriel, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General, Professor Petteri Taalas, signed a working arrangement between the European Commission and WMO during a virtual signature ceremony. WMO, as a specialised agency of the United Nations, is dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and climate it produces, and the resulting distribution of water resources. The collaboration between the European Commission and WMO will support the implementation of the European Green Deal through research and innovation activities and through relevant Horizon Europe’s Missions such as Mission Starfish 2030 and A Climate Resilient Europe.

JRC releases new reference materials for the quality control of SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests (16/12/2020)

The JRC has released two new reference materials, developed to function as quality assurance tools for the SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests used to verify if an individual has been infected by the COVID-19 virus.

EIT Awards 2020: winners announced (16/12/2020)

The new year will hopefully be a first step towards recovery, which is bound to result in profound transformations: it is unthinkable to restore our societies as they were before the pandemic, we will need to collectively explore new paths leading us towards a greener, more digital and sustainable society. For this purpose we have to rely on change-makers: talented and motivated individuals. The European Institute of Technology is a precious ally in the European Commission’s strategy to turn the amazing potential of the most promising graduates into material innovation and impact on all our lives. On 9 December, Commissioner Gabriel announced the winners of the four EIT Awards’ categories. The quality of the projects selected for the final phase shows that EIT’s educational model is a success: innovation can thrive best in an ecosystem where talents are interconnected across Europe, financial resources are provided and local actors are involved in a bottom-up approach.

3rd European Youth Work Convention (16/12/2020)

From 7 to 10 December, the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth hosted the third European Youth Convention, bringing (digitally) together young workers and youth work organisations, trainers, ministries and civil servants responsible for youth policies, European institutions and National Agencies for the European youth programmes. This year, the convention focused on the goal of establishing a European Youth Work Agenda to further strengthen youth work practice and policies across Europe. This was particularly timely considering the impact of the COVID-19 crisis not only on young people’s mental health, but also on their future prospects. Youth work has a huge potential, and the Commission is committed to recognising it and fully supporting it.

European Prize for Literature - 2020 winners receive their awards (16/12/2020)

On 14 December, the thirteen winners of the 2020 European Prize for Literature received their prize, during a Ceremony jointly organised by the Federation of European Publishers, the European and International Booksellers Federation, and the European Writers' Council. Every year, this prize gives us the chance to celebrate – through the nominated emerging authors – the diversity and creativity of Europe’s contemporary literature and the passionate commitment of those who work to make it accessible to everyone in our continent – overcoming distance, market differences, linguistic and cultural barriers. This particular edition of the Prize was also an opportunity to applaud the astonishing resilience of European bookstores during the COVID-19 crisis and to stress once more our commitment towards the book sector, which is such an indispensable tile in the mosaic of European culture, and plays such an essential role in our daily life, as shown during the confinements in the last months.

Perspektywy Women in Tech Summit (16/12/2020)

On 8 December, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the online Perspektywy Women in Tech Summit, the biggest conference on women in technology, science and innovation. She expressed her gratitude to the Perspektywy organization for their constant efforts in supporting women in STEM with passion and fun and in promoting female role models and mentors, showing that women too can be trend-setters. By giving girls and women a full outlook on their possibilities, they can feel confident and empowered to pursue studies and careers in scientific and technological fields.

Winners of #BeActive and #BeInclusive Sport awards announced (16/12/2020)

The difficult times we are going through, feeling separated from our friends, our families, our communities, help us appreciate the immense value sport has in our society.

Eurydice publishes two new articles, on teaching and home schooling (16/12/2020)

On 15 December Eurydice published two new articles:

Study maps intergenerational dimension of sport (16/12/2020)

Intergenerational sport is a vital instrument to foster not only active ageing but also social inclusion and community cohesion. This sport study focuses on the participation in sporting activities for both old and young people. It explores how volunteering, coaching or spectating in sport might contribute to promote the role of families by encouraging intergenerational transfer.

European Capital of Culture 2025 in Slovenia (16/12/2020)

The European Capitals of Culture Expert panel announced on 18 December that the city of Nova Gorica has been recommended for the European Capital of Culture 2025 title in Slovenia. After Maribor in 2012, Nova Gorica will be the second city in Slovenia to host the European Capital of Culture title. This is a wonderful opportunity for a city and its surrounding area to bring culture right to the heart of their communities and for their citizens to discover the rich diversity of cultural expressions in the European Union and beyond. COVID 19 has greatly impacted our lives and affected many sectors, in particularly the cultural and creative Sector. I am convinced that the European Capital of Culture title can contribute to a restart of this sector, and I hope that Nova Gorica will reap the long-term cultural, economic and social benefits that it will bring.

Last days to submit your proposal for the European Green Deal Call – Deadline 26 January 2021 (16/12/2020)

On 17 September, the Commission adopted the Green Deal call, the last and biggest call under Horizon 2020. This call is unique because it is the first Commission research and innovation action directly addressing the priorities set by the European Green Deal Communication. The call will close on 26 January 2021.

i-Portunus: pilot project funds international travel for artists and cultural professionals (16/12/2020)

After months of coronavirus-related restrictions that have proved devastating for the cultural sector and artists, mobility will be more necessary than ever in the recovery phase. This is why the European Commission founded i-Portunus, a pilot project under Creative Europe funding international travel for artists and cultural professionals. Two calls for application were launched on 9 December for music professionals and literary translators, three more calls will follow early this year.

Virtual launch event for Horizon Europe (16/12/2020)

Following the political agreement on Horizon Europe, the Portuguese Presidency of the EU in cooperation with the Commission, are envisioning a Horizon Europe launch event on 2 February. The event will be organised back to back with the informal Competitiveness Council meeting. More information will follow in the new year.

Commissioner's Editorial December (14/10/2019)

A monthly update from Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

EU budget: European Commission welcomes agreement on €1.8 trillion package to help build greener, more digital and more resilient Europe (30/07/2020)

On 10 November, the European Commission welcomed the agreement between the European Parliament and EU Member States in the Council on Europe's next long-term budget and NextGenerationEU, the temporary recovery instrument. Once adopted, the package of a total of €1.8 trillion will be the largest package ever financed through the EU budget. It will help rebuild a post-COVID-19 Europe, which will be greener, more digital, more resilient and better fit for current and forthcoming challenges. More than half the amount will support modernisation through policies that include research and innovation, via Horizon Europe; fair climate and digital transitions, via the Just Transition Fund and the Digital Europe Programme; preparedness, recovery and resilience, via the Recovery and Resilience Facility, rescEU and a new health programme, EU4Health.

Coronavirus: €128 million granted on research to address pressing needs and the socio-economic impact of the pandemic (30/07/2020)

On 5 November, the Commission announced support to 23 new research projects with a total of €128 million to address the continuing coronavirus pandemic and its effects. The funding will enable researchers to strengthen and adapt industrial capacity to manufacture and deploy medical equipment to prevent and treat coronavirus; to develop medical technologies and digital tools such as a portable diagnostic system; to better understand the societal impacts of the pandemic; and to learn from patients across Europe to improve treatment. This research is essential to better address this and future pandemics, from the capacity to react more quickly to prevent contagion, to improving diagnosis and treatment, to better mitigation measures that take into account behavioural, social and economic aspects, including gender-related issues. See the updated political factsheet on new research projects on Coronavirus.

Coronavirus: Advisors provide joint opinion on pandemic preparedness and management (30/07/2020)

On 11 November, the European Commission’s independent Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA), the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) and Peter Piot, special advisor to President Ursula von der Leyen on the response to COVID-19, published a joint Opinion on Improving pandemic preparedness and management. The advisors provide a set of recommendations that will help to prevent and pre-empt emerging infectious diseases globally, enhance coordination across EU Member States and internationally and strengthen systems of preparedness and management.

European Researchers’ Night (24/11/2020)

On 27 November, over 29 countries and 388 cities hosted the European Researchers’ Night, which this year featured a combination of physical and virtual events. Across Europe and beyond, people of all ages got the chance to discover who is behind research, to see it through researchers’ eyes and to experience science themselves. It was important to celebrate the vital role researchers have in society, this year more than ever: their work is key to ensure a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the crisis.

New decade launched for the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area (24/11/2020)

On 19 November, a new decade was launched both for the Bologna Process and for the European Higher Education Area. The launch was marked by the Bologna Process Ministerial Conference – exceptionally held online this year – during which the Commission presented the 2020 Bologna Process Implementation Report.

The new decade is starting in extraordinary times when the way in which we teach, learn and research is deeply affected by the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic. However, despite our current efforts being mostly devoted to overcoming the crisis, we cannot overlook the need to further implement the Bologna key commitments: we will keep on working together to ensure that our cooperation is strengthened in the field of higher education, especially in the areas of mobility, quality assurance and recognition.

Europe: a hub for the world's top scientific talent (30/07/2020)

The European Research Council fosters excellent research and encourages the best scientists of any nationality to pursue their careers in Europe. To support this goal and in cooperation with Euraxess Worldwide and the EU Delegation to the African Union, the ERC organises a series of webinars targeting researchers based outside Europe. From 10 November to 11 December, ERC grantees and former ERC evaluation panellists share their insights with potential applicants from different continents.

EU-wide monitoring system will track progress towards a sustainable Bioeconomy (30/07/2020)

A new monitoring system launched at the Global Bioeconomy Summit will help ensure that the European Bioeconomy contributes effectively to the objectives of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Embedded into the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy, the system will provide trustworthy data and robust indicators to policymakers. It will track progress towards the five societal challenges targeted by the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, in the areas of environment, society and economy, along the entire value chain and for all primary production sectors.

ERC information day in Bulgaria (30/07/2020)

The event “An ERC information Day in Bulgaria” took place on 23 November. This workshop organised jointly by the European Research Council and the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science aimed to encourage potential applicants in this country to apply for ERC schemes, as part of the ERC’s ongoing widening campaign. The event was introduced by Commissioner Gabriel, who presented the European Research Council within the framework of the upcoming Horizon Europe programme, highlighting the European Commission’s support for frontier research, and science in general, as a mean of achieving its ambitious societal goals toward a greener, more digital economy. The workshop was attended by around 75 Bulgarian researchers, other speakers included Deputy Minister Karina Angelieva, ERC grantees Martin Vechev and Anelia Kassabova and ERC panel member Professor Nikolai Denkov.

European performing arts in focus at first ever European Theatre Forum (24/11/2020)

Commissioner Gabriel virtually participated in the first ever European Theatre Forum on 12 November, a great opportunity to discuss how Theatre can contribute to Europe's recovery and the creation of a European public space. The Forum was the first official step in the context of the European Theatre Initiative, whose purpose is to promote the outstanding importance of theatre and performing arts in Europe, with its diversity of performance forms and across language barriers. Through targeted actions - and in close dialogue with its representatives -we want to help EU theatre and performing arts thrive.

Lessons from lockdown: families adapt to remote schooling, but more support needed (30/07/2020)

Families played a huge role in helping children keep up with schooling during the first COVID-19 lockdown, according to a JRC analysis of survey data from parents and children across 11 European countries.

Almost all children surveyed were able to conduct some school-related activities using digital technologies, and many reported that their schools had provided them with both digital communication and learning platforms.

What is the European Commission doing to strengthen the gender dimension in research and innovation? (27/10/2020)

The European Commission has become a global leader in setting policy for the integration of the gender dimension into research and innovation content, which was set as one of the gender equality objectives for Horizon 2020. In the new Framework Programme, Horizon Europe, it is one of the gender quality objectives, and will be accompanied by additional provisions to foster gender equality in research and innovation organisations across the EU.

Commissioner Gabriel awarded ‘Partner of the Year 2020’ at the 17th Vienna Economic Forum (24/11/2020)

On 16 November, Commissioner Gabriel received the Annual Award of Vienna Economic Forum ‘Partner of the Year 2020’ as a recognition for her efforts to promote and to foster regional socio-economic cooperation.

On the same occasion, the Commissioner moderated the main discussion ‘New type of mobility in a digital world challenges and opportunities for the regional economy’. The Commissioner discussed with Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal, and with the Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Bytyqi from the Republic of North Macedonia. Mr. Emmanuel Forest, CEO of Bouygues Europe SA, and member of the Horizon Europe Mission Board on ‘Climate-neutral and smart cities’ highlighted the benefits of Missions in Horizon Europe.

Paris Peace Forum explores lessons learned from the pandemic (24/11/2020)

On 12 November, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the third edition of the Paris Peace Forum, which this year focused on the multi-stakeholder response to Covid-19. The Commissioner shared her views on the lessons to be learned from the crisis: once again she underlined the Commission’s commitment to ensure equal access to digital tools and competences and to build a stronger interconnection across our education systems. These two goals are both vital to protect education and make it more resilient in view of future challenges.

Berlin Conference 2020: The new culture of common responsibilities (27/10/2020)

The dramatic impact of the pandemic calls for joined forces: the recovery must entail the co-responsibility of citizens, cities and regions, together with policy makers and European institutions. This was at the core of the Berlin Conference that Commissioner Gebriel attended on 9 November: her main message was that a bottom-up approach to tackle Europe’s priorities cannot disregard the role of cultural and creative sectors, as they are vital in strengthening Europe from below.

Virtual Women's Forum Global Meeting (27/10/2020)

On 18 November, Commissioner Gabriel joined the Global Women's Forum, which virtually gathered more than 25 000 thinkers and doers across business, government, academia, civil society and other sectors to bring concrete recommendations to gender equality and women’s empowerment. We cannot let girls and women’s potential go wasted: we need proactive measures to unlock this potential, encouraging them to pursue their careers in STEM areas and to contribute fully to a green and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

Commissioner opens Network of European Museum Organisations annual conference (30/07/2020)

On 11 November Commissioner Gabriel opened the annual conference of the Network of European Museum Organisations. The immense work that museums do – which the Commissioner was personally able to witness on the occasion of her Internship at Children’s Science Centre Muzeiko in Sofia in October – and their immense contribution to our society need and deserve our continued support.

Education in a post COVID-19 Europe: event at the Egmont Institute and the European Policy Centre (30/07/2020)

The future of European Education very much depends on the dialogue and cooperation of European policy makers. Commissioner Gabriel presented the European Education Area and the Digital Education Action Plan at an event on education organised by the Egmont Institute and the European Policy Centre on 17 November.

International conference explores essential role of cultural heritage (24/11/2020)

On 16 November, Commissioner Gabriel delivered the opening speech at the international Conference on Cultural Heritage and Multilateralism, organised by the German Federal Foreign Office in cooperation with UNESCO, the Commission and the Council of Europe. The conference explored the essential role that cultural heritage plays in the economy and in the lives of citizens, building people’s identity, strengthening social cohesion, fostering tolerance and mutual understanding. Europe's cultural heritage is a constant source of synergy for our society, and that is why we need to join forces in order to safeguard it from the risks posed by climate change, natural disasters and the damage caused by human actions. Research can help by developing new cutting-edge technologies, innovative green and digital tools, and solutions to restore and preserve monuments and artefacts from all kinds of threats.

EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard 2020 publication (27/10/2020)

The 2020 EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard will be published in December of this year. The Scoreboard provides an annual in-depth analysis of the most recent investment trends of the worlds’ leading industrial R&D players and contributes to understanding the positioning of the EU companies in the global landscape. The 2020 edition comprises approximately 2500 companies investing the largest sums in R&D in the world from 2019/20.

European Education Summit: Digital Education Transformation (27/10/2020)

On 10 December, Commissioner Gabriel will host the third European Education Summit. It will provide the opportunity to stakeholders, including national education ministers, Members of the European Parliament and representatives of the education and training ecosystem, to gather online to: discuss the digital transformation of Europe’s education systems in the context of the COVID-19 recovery, exchange experiences and best practices in mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on education and training provision and provide feedback on the Commission’s vision to create a European Education Area by 2025 and to implement the Digital Education Action Plan.

Science Meets Parliaments and Regions: a new workshop series (24/09/2020)

As part of the JRC's efforts to promote sound evidence-informed policy-making across Europe – and following the success of the Science Meets Parliaments/Science Meets Regions pilot project - a series of short, virtual workshops about science for policy eco-systems will take place between now and May 2021.

The workshops give experts across the EU the opportunity to take stock, discuss and exchange experiences, and to co-create ideas and projects for structures, mechanisms and instruments to strengthen evidence-informed policy-making across Europe.

3rd Annual Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy Festival (27/10/2020)

How is democracy changing? How can citizens participate in this change?

These are the themes of the 3rd Annual Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy Festival.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted societal and policy challenges amid uncertainty. People need solutions that go beyond business-as-usual policy.

Open to all, the Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy Festival is the chance for people of diverse backgrounds to gather and tackle some of the pressing issues of our time.

Study measures economic impact of COVID-19 on EU sport sector (27/10/2020)

The report aims to support evidence-based policy making at both national and EU level, and to help the sport and public sector tackle and mitigate the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic on the sport industry. The study is comprised of two separate but concurrent work packages: the Economic Impact and the Initiatives and Measures. The data in this report suggests that the sport sector will be considerably affected during 2020 due to the current pandemic.

Commissioner's Editorial November (14/10/2019)

A monthly update from Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

2021 Commission work programme – from strategy to delivery (27/10/2020)

On 19 October, the Commission adopted its 2021 work programme, designed to make Europe healthier, fairer and more prosperous, while accelerating its long-term transformation into a greener economy, fit for the digital age.

The Manifesto for EU Covid-19 Research celebrates its first 2000 signatories (27/10/2020)

The Commission launched the Manifesto for EU Covid-19 Research in July, as part of the common European response to the coronavirus outbreak, to maximise the accessibility of research results in the fight against Covid-19. After less than three months, the Manifesto celebrates its first 2000 signatories. So far, more than 500 organisations (including universities, research institutes and private companies) endorsed the Manifesto, and 1500 individuals from all over Europe expressed their support.

Commission awards €508 million to 75 health research projects (30/10/2020)

On 30 October, the European Commission announced the outcome of the annual call for proposals for the Health societal challenge for the final year of Horizon 2020 that sees the largest total award for collaborative research for health. The 75 projects short-listed after evaluation will involve 1158 participants from 58 countries, and will receive a total of €508 million in grants to address a wide range of crucial health challenges and opportunities. The investments will enable the development of digital diagnostics and various new interventions, including treatments and vaccines, with specific actions against cancer, brain-related diseases, and infectious diseases. Specific attention is also given to the management of complex chronic conditions and to developing healthcare interventions for elderly patients affected by multiple diseases.

High impact of ERC-funded research (27/10/2020)

A new independent review found that some 80% of projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC) are scientific breakthroughs or major advances. The results are in line with previous evaluations, and show the top quality of the research backed by the ERC.

Commission launches knowledge centre to reverse biodiversity loss and protect Europe’s ecosystems (27/10/2020)

In October, the Commission launched a new Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity: a one-stop shop for science-based evidence to protect the natural ecosystems that provide us with food, medicines, materials, recreation, and wellbeing.

Led by the JRC, the Knowledge Centre will make the latest knowledge about biodiversity available to strengthen the impact of EU policies.

It will also help to monitor the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on a path to recovery by the end of the decade.

Eurydice Report on equity in school education in Europe (27/10/2020)

Fairer and more inclusive societies are crucial for Europe to thrive in the future. To accomplish this, education systems must be equitable, ensuring that all young people are able to develop their talents and achieve their full potential. On 19 October, the Eurydice network addressed this issue in a report on equity in school education in Europe. The report looks at 42 European education systems across 37 European countries and identifies which policies and structures are associated with higher levels of equity in student performance. Socio-economic background continues to play too big a role for student attainment in education, which is not fair to students and young people. It is important that countries learn from each other as they have found different ways to improve equity in their education systems. I hope that this report can serve as further inspiration.

Chemnitz to be the European Capital of Culture 2025 in Germany (27/10/2020)

On 28 October, the city of Chemnitz was recommended for the European Capital of Culture 2025 title in Germany. After Berlin in 1988, Weimar in 1999 and Essen for the Ruhr in 2010, Chemnitz will be the fourth city in Germany to host the European Capitals of Culture title. This is a wonderful opportunity for a city and its surrounding area to bring culture right to the heart of their various communities and for their citizens to discover the rich diversity of cultural expressions in the European Union and beyond. Now, more than ever, developing European partnerships is essential to reinforce the sense of community and solidarity between our peoples. I hope that Chemnitz will reap the long-term cultural, economic and social benefits that the European Capital of Culture title can bring.

EIT Awards 2020 – announcement of nominees (27/10/2020)

On 20 October, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) unveiled a list of 29 European entrepreneurs nominated for the EIT awards, standing out for their creativity and the innovative value of their products and services in the fields of climate, energy, digitalisation, food, health, manufacturing, mobility and raw materials. I would like to congratulate the nominees, as they are a testament to the EIT’s ability to identify and drive the most promising innovation projects. The three projects recognized as the best to accelerate Europe’s transition to a greener, healthier and more sustainable society for Europe’s citizens will be virtually awarded on 8 and 9 December.

New report: social media influences our political behaviour and puts pressure on our democracies (27/10/2020)

The democratic foundations of our societies are under pressure from the influence that social media has on our political opinions and our behaviours, according to a new JRC report.

48% of Europeans use social media every day or almost every day. As well as being helpful tools to stay informed, be entertained, shop and stay close to our friends , these platforms have revolutionised the way we experience politics, by engaging more citizens in the political process and enabling minority voices to be heard. But these platforms also allow polarising messages and unreliable information to be spread easily. This can limit our perspectives and hamper our ability to make informed political decisions. As the report authors find, this has a dangerous impact on our democratic societies.

The study comes ahead of several landmark initiatives announced by the Commission addressing issues arising from social media: the Digital Services Act and the European Democracy Action Plan.

10th European Creative Industries Summit (27/10/2020)

Funding, innovation and cross-sectorial cooperation are all key for the recovery of Europe's cultural and creative industries. Only through the joint efforts of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States we can shape the sector's future. This was one of my key messages at the final event of the European Creative Industries Summit 2020 #ECIS2020, organised by the European Creative Business Network in collaboration with the current German Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Exchange of views on the New European Bauhaus (27/10/2020)

On 27 October, I took part in a Structured Dialogue with the Members of the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education to discuss the new European Bauhaus initiative launched by President von der Leyen on 14 October. The new European Bauhaus movement is intended to be a bridge between the world of science and technology, between the world of art and culture. It is about giving a new aesthetic to the Green Pact for Europe, combining good design and sustainability. This initiative can play a major role in involving the whole of society in the green transition in an attractive and innovative way. This new Bauhaus can make our green pact agenda, the circular economy and our renewable energy targets more tangible, closer to citizens, territories and lifestyles. I am very pleased to support this initiative by mobilising all the available resources in my portfolio.

Advancing evidence for policy across Europe’s parliaments and regions (27/10/2020)

The JRC presented the results of a pilot project that reached out to Europe’s parliaments, regions and cities to gather scientists, policymakers and citizens and work together on today’s big issues. From urban renewal in Ghent to eco-innovation in Sofia, more than 2,500 people took part in 'Science Meets Parliaments/Science Meets Regions' events last year.

#Erasmus Days 2020 (27/10/2020)

On 15, 16 and 17 October, 75 countries all over the world celebrated the #ErasmusDays 2020. Celebrations included more than 3,500 initiatives – both digital and physical. This year especially, it is very important to celebrate the unique opportunities offered by the programme and convey a message of strength and resilience to the whole Erasmus+ community.

Behind the scenes at a science museum: NEMO Internship Programme (27/10/2020)

On 2 October, I was thrilled to take part in the NEMO Internship Programme at the Children’s Science Centre Muzeiko in Sofia. The Programme allows politicians to get a glimpse of what happens “behind the scenes” at a museum. As a regular visitor of museums myself, I had the chance to appreciate the great work that makes our museum experiences so enriching and enjoyable. Museums contribute to our collective wellbeing and resilience by helping us make sense of the world and the place we have within it. Witnessing the enthusiasm, motivation and professionalism of staff members was absolutely inspiring, especially in these difficult times.

European week of sport and #Beactive Night (27/10/2020)

Every year from 23 to 30 September, Europeans celebrate sport. I was delighted to open my first European Week of Sport, the EU’s flagship event promoting sport and physical activity. Despite the circumstances, was once again a great success, including the #BeActive Night, which was held simultaneously in all European countries on Saturday 26 September. Overall, we were able to reach nine million people through social media. With 2.2 million engagements on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, citizens have shown great enthusiasm and willingness to participate and share their fitness routines. We have to build on this and pursue our efforts to motivate Europeans to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Launch of Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme (27/10/2020)

On 30 October, I took part in the two day event 'Research and Innovation in the Black Sea: Empowering the next generation for a healthy, resilient and productive Black Sea'. During the event I launched the Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme, which will help further promote the priorities of the region, increase their impact and visibility as well as supporting the goals the Black Sea Strategy.

Online launch of Trinity Education (27/10/2020)

On 21 October, I had the honour to launch Trinity Education, the culmination of a seven-year project to renew the undergraduate curriculum of Trinity College in Dublin, now including a stronger focus on co- and extra-curricular activities, global mobility, employability and leadership skills. I have made it a priority to help our higher education institutions be more innovative, both in their teaching and in the challenges their students go on to overcome.

Vatican 2020 CAPP International Conference A Human Economy in the digital age: from concept to action (27/10/2020)

This year, the international conference organized by the Centesimus Annus pro Pontifice Foundation focused on new models of inclusive, equitable, integral and sustainable economic and social progress. I had the honour to be invited as a speaker, a great opportunity for me to stress once again the role education plays in building tolerant, inclusive, fair and resilient societies by empowering people and promoting mutual understanding, shared values and the crossing of language barriers.

eTwinning Annual Conference (27/10/2020)

In 2020, we celebrate 15 years since the launch of the eTwinning portal, an e-learning platform involving teachers from 36 European countries and 8 neighbouring countries and offering schools in Europe a means to communicate, share ideas and run online collaborative projects. This year, for the first time, the eTwinning annual conference took place online, the chosen theme could not have been more timely: “Classrooms in Action on Climate Change”. I thanked the eTwinning community for their daily work during this school year. Their efforts are key in achieving the objectives set out in the European Education Area and the Digital Education Action Plan. I also announced the eTwinning thematic priority for 2021: media literacy and disinformation. Next to the green transition, digital is another crucial challenge of our time, to which I am deeply committed.

enlightED 2020 Higher Education: Facing New Global Challenges (27/10/2020)

On 19-22 October, I was pleased to take part in ‘enlightED 2020’, the third edition of the world conference about education, technology, and innovation. This edition that brought together international experts to share solutions for the challenges posed by COVID-19 in learning, teaching, and working life. I had the opportunity to discuss one of my greatest concerns, the future of higher education, which is now facing unprecedented disruptions. It was a honour to share my reflections with prominent academics. Now more than ever, we need Academia – with its wisdom, foresight, and distance to analyse problems dispassionately – to overcome this global crisis.

From Research to Standards (27/10/2020)

During the pandemic, there was a shortage of medical protective equipment, such as masks. Manufacturers adapted existing production lines to fabricate more of them. However, how could people be sure that these masks were safe and efficient against the virus? Thanks to standards! The European Green Deal and the New Industrial Strategy for Europe make clear that developing new standards will be essential to boost industry’s competitiveness, build a sustainable future and shape a Europe fit for the digital age. Standards are a crucial tool to valorise research results. Discover more in the new factsheet on standards.

Erasmus+ Sport call results (27/10/2020)

On 21 October, we published the results of the Erasmus+ Sport 2020 call, closing the 7 year Sport Chapter under the current Erasmus+ programme. This year we received 1142 applications, a record increase of 50% in comparison to the 2019 call.

In the field of sport we also financed 27 projects under the 4 Preparatory Actions i) Exchanges and mobility in sport ii) Monitoring and coaching, through sports, of youngsters at risk of radicalisation iii) Sport as a tool for integration and social inclusion of the refugeesand iv) Grassroots sport programmes and infrastructure innovation.

European Day of Languages celebrates excellence in language learning and the important role of translation (27/10/2020)

On 26 September we celebrated the 20th edition of the European Day of Languages and the the combined #EDLangs and #DiscoverTranslation campaign that has been running on social media to highlight the role of translation in our daily lives.

The European Day of Languages demonstrates Europe’s commitment to multilingualism. I am happy and proud to have this opportunity to show how the European Commission and the Erasmus+ programme support innovation and excellence in language teaching and learning at the same time as we celebrate the joy of our linguistic diversity. More than 80 events are being held all over the EU in September and October.

European Green Deal Research & Innovation Call: Energy and Resource Efficient Buildings (27/10/2020)

Horizon 2020 has invested €650m to date in the Energy Efficient Buildings partnership which directly contributes to CO2 reduction. An additional €60m is currently available under the €1 billion Horizon 2020 Green Deal call specifically targeting building and renovation in an energy and resource efficient way. Launched in September 2020, the deadline is on 26 January 2021.

Join the EIT Governing Board (27/10/2020)

The European Institute of Innovation & Technology is selecting up to four new members for its Governing Board. If you are a leading academic, innovator, entrepreneur or researcher looking for an opportunity to help Europe recover from the crisis through innovation for a greener, healthier and more sustainable future, I encourage you to apply. The Call for Expression of Interest is open until 16 November 2020.

Digital Education Hackathon 2020 (27/10/2020)

The 2020 Digital Education Hackathon will take place on 12 and 13 November. The DigiEduHack is a series of online and offline idea-hackathons happening all around the world during two days, focusing on co-creating the future of education at the digital age.

Upcoming Competitiveness Council to discuss European Research Area (27/10/2020)

Member states’ research ministers will be meeting on 27 November in the Competitiveness Council. The German Presidency of the Council is planning to present to them for adoption Conclusions on the European Research Area.

3rd Annual Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy Festival (27/10/2020)

How is democracy changing? How can citizens participate in this change?

These are the themes of the 3rd Annual Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy Festival.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted societal and policy challenges amid uncertainty. People need solutions that go beyond business-as-usual policy.

Open to all, the Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy Festival is the chance for people of diverse backgrounds to gather and tackle some of the pressing issues of our time.

Science Meets Parliaments and Regions: a new workshop series (24/09/2020)

As part of the JRC's efforts to promote sound evidence-informed policy-making across Europe – and following the success of the Science Meets Parliaments/Science Meets Regions pilot project - a series of short, virtual workshops about science for policy eco-systems will take place between now and May 2021.

The workshops give experts across the EU the opportunity to take stock, discuss and exchange experiences, and to co-create ideas and projects for structures, mechanisms and instruments to strengthen evidence-informed policy-making across Europe.

3rd European Education Summit (30/10/2020)

On 10 December, I will host the 3rd European Education Summit. A fully virtual event, this year’s edition will focus on Digital Education: Education Ministers, MEPs, stakeholders, educators, researchers, civil society and students will have the opportunity to discuss how education, training and research systems can become fit for the digital age and accessible to all. Follow twitter for the latest updates @EUDigitalEdu @EUErasmusPlus