Overview

The European Union has registered its first geographical indication for a craft and industrial product under the new Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (GI) scheme. France’s Porcelaine de Limoges is the first product to receive EU-wide protection, recognising the link between its quality, reputation and geographical origin, while helping protect it against imitation and misuse. Since 1 December 2025, the EU’s GI system extends to craft and industrial goods the protection already used for wines, cheeses and other agricultural products. The new scheme helps preserve traditional know-how and industrial expertise, support local jobs and regional economies, and guide consumers towards authentic, high-quality European products. Interest has been strong from the outset, with 74 registration applications submitted by Member States for products including ceramics and textiles.

Enabled through the InvestEU programme, Invest-NL is providing €25 million as part of a €120 million loan to Milence to support the deployment of high-performance truck charging hubs across the EU. The project will help accelerate the decarbonisation of road transport, supporting Europe’s climate targets and the green transition.

Amendment of 4 May 2026 to Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/1668

Bpifrance, in cooperation with the InvestEU Portal, will organise the Deeptech Summit from 16 March in Paris. InvestEU Portal startups from across the deeptech ecosystem will pitch their projects to investors, followed by a feedback session with a selected group of VC investors. The programme will be complemented by targeted workshops and multiple networking opportunities.

The event took place at the Delegation of the European Union to Japan in Tokyo and was aimed at Japanese companies interested in expanding into the EU market. InvestEU was presented along with interventions from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and Japanese companies operating in the EU, including Marubeni Corporation. The programme highlighted key developments in the EU Single Market, industrial policy priorities, and available support instruments.

Join our upcoming webinar, on 14 April, 10 CET, which will explore the importance of harmonised data sharing within the EU and the benefits of leveraging short-term rental (STR) data for authorities.

The Commission has published a Call for Evidence to help prepare guidelines for the effective implementation of the EU’s Forced Labour Regulation (FLR), which entered into force in December 2024 and will apply from December 2027. Stakeholders are invited to provide input on evidence requirements, due diligence practices, documentation, and SME support to ensure the future guidelines are clear, consistent and proportionate.

The Commission has launched a new call to select local partners to deliver the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme across Europe. With a €20 million budget, the call supports organisations helping new and aspiring entrepreneurs connect with experienced business owners across borders.

The DUT Partnership supports transnational R&I projects that address urban challenges. The goal is to assist cities in transitioning towards a more sustainable economy and improved functionality, focused on: Circular Urban Economies, the 15-minute City, and Positive Energy Districts. Deadline: 14/11/2024

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on future ecodesign requirements for iron and steel products under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The initiative aims to support a more sustainable, circular and competitive European steel industry. The consultation covers issues such as circularity and recyclability, low-carbon steel, sustainability information and the related Digital Product Passport, as well as decarbonisation across the iron and steel value chain. Contributions, evidence and practical insights from stakeholders across the value chain will help inform upcoming discussions.

The European Commission is inviting stakeholders to provide feedback on the planned revision of the EU rules on eInvoicing in public procurement. The objective is to enhance harmonisation and interoperability, ultimately reducing administrative burdens for companies operating across borders. Since the introduction of the eInvoicing Directive in 2014, progress has been achieved in strengthening the Single Market; however, obstacles to uptake and interoperability persist. For example, the national uptake of eInvoicing does not necessarily align with the uptake of the European eInvoicing standard. In the light of the VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) initiative, which will make eInvoicing mandatory for B2B cross-border transactions by 2030, updating the framework is necessary to address these issues and ensure its suitability for future developments. We encourage businesses (including SMEs), public authorities, civil-society, and eInvoicing service and solution providers to share their views.

Stakeholders still have time to share their views on the European Commission’s planned revision of the EU rules on eInvoicing in public procurement. The initiative aims to improve harmonisation and interoperability across the EU, helping reduce administrative burdens for companies operating cross-border.

The blueprint by the Travel Foundation, commissioned by NECSTouR and CPMR, offers Mediterranean Tourism Regional Authorities and DMOs guidance on developing climate strategies.

The UNESCO-UNEVOC report outlines strategies to support green and digital transitions in hospitality and tourism, offering practical advice for integrating new skills education and training.

The European Travel Commission (ETC) published a checklist to help National Tourism Organisations handle tourism crises through four phases: preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.

Short-term accommodation rentals are now widespread in the EU, boosted largely thanks to online platforms. This Regulation proposal defines an EU framework which allows public authorities to collect data on short-term rentals from hosts and online platforms. It will help to enhance transparency in the sector, support better policy making and ensure a more sustainable development of the tourism sector.

The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI') to support research and innovation and first industrial deployment in the hydrogen technology value chain. As part of this IPCEI, 35 companies with activities in one or more Member States, including small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs') and start-ups, will participate in 41 projects.

as of August 2025

Seize the moment to register on the EU Tourism Platform! Explore all the amazing features and join the exciting discussions on our Discussion Forum (under the Community tab) to connect with stakeholders across the EU27. Your journey begins here – don't miss out! 🚀🎉

The EU Smart Tourism Podcast examines recent advancements in smart public transport, bike-sharing systems, and real-time traffic management that are used to improve city accessibility and sustainability.

We are thrilled to launch “The Public Procurement Gazette”. As the unit of the European Commission responsible for public procurement policy (DG GROW C.2), we will regularly cover news, events and funding opportunities. This space will be the main channel of communication between the ecosystem of public buyers across Europe and us. The symbol of the newsletter is Hermes, the messenger of the Greek gods: we will bring buyers the latest research and initiatives. These can help to make public purchases smarter, faster and more affordable, for better outcomes.