Overview

The European Commission is preparing a new strategy on the “right to stay,” with a strong focus on regions and territories. It will examine the key challenges local communities face and the support they need to thrive. The strategy will highlight relevant EU policies and initiatives, showcase practical solutions from across Europe, and offer ideas to make regions more attractive, competitive, and resilient.

The Harnessing Talent Platform’s Health Workgroup launched a survey to assess factors influencing health professionals' workplace choices, aiming to inform policies and improve service models, working conditions, and quality of life to attract and retain talents in the sector.

The Commission has published a call for evidence and a public consultation on the Public Procurement Directives. The Commission invites interested parties to express their views on whether the directives have effectively achieved their objectives, among them fostering a high level of competition in the single market, increasing SMEs’ participation in procurement procedures, ensuring transparency and promoting a greener, more social and innovative EU economy. The contributions will feed into the Commission’s evaluation of the Public Procurement Directives. The call for evidence and public consultation will be open until 7 March. Share your insights and help shape the future of EU public procurement!

The "Bridging Gaps" publication, about the achievements of the 2014-2020 Programming period is now available in the format of country-specific factsheets, translated in each of the EU Member states languages. Take a look at our catalog and take your pick!

The European Commission is strongly committed to the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The training module on Integrity Pacts aims to support the EU Member States in implementing Integrity Pacts (IP) in public procurement projects financed by EU cohesion funds. The Introductory session (1 half-day) will cover the overall concept of the IP, the rationale for deciding to implement one, the selection of projects and of monitors. It is open to all interested applicants from EU Member States, and is a pre-requisite for the advanced session. Registration will open in September.

The training is targeted at practitioners from ERDF, CF and ESF (Managing Authorities, Intermediate Bodies and Audit Authorities) who possess general knowledge of State Aid principles and would like to learn more about the latest state aid provisions in Cohesion policy programmes and projects. This online training will take place on 23, 25-27 November 2026. The registration will be open in September.

The training provides practical insight into Green, Social and Innovative Public Procurement, as well as into the latest developments in the PP legislative framework (such as international issues, crisis management). Participants: practitioners in Programme Authorities: managing authorities/ intermediate bodies/ audit authorities in the EU Member States. Free of charge, online, in English. Registration is open for the next online session on 16 (PM), 17 (PM), 18 (PM), 19 (AM) November 2026 (4 half-days) November is open: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/TrainingSPP-Nov2026-Registration

Catch the good vibes of Tallinn in this short and sweet 47-minute recap video (just kidding...). You can watch it on Teams by clicking below or find the most recent post in the INFORM EU Teams group.

On 20 May 2025, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Piotr Serafin, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, delivered opening speeches at the Annual EU Budget Conference 2025.

In her recent statement, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticised President Trump's announcement of universal tariffs, including those affecting the EU, highlighting the potential severe repercussions for the global economy. She emphasised that such measures could lead to increased uncertainties and significant economic challenges worldwide.

Do you have an idea that could shape the future of the Alpine Region and need support to bring it to life? Apply now for a chance to travel to Innsbruck and win up to 5000€ to help implement your project! Three winners will receive prizes by the Région Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. The competition will remain open for applications until 8 October 2025 at 23:59.

Following the successful conclusion of the Integrity Pacts Pilot Project, 15 Member States have committed to implement and/or encourage the uptake of Integrity Pacts in more of their projects. The Commission wants to support them in this effort by launching this call for proposals to Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to set up up an "IP Helpdesk". Individual CSOs or consortia led by a CSO are invited to submit their proposals before 02/04/2024 – at 18:00.

Following the success of the Integrity Pacts Pilot Project (2015-2022), 15 Member States have committed to implement and/or encourage Integrity Pacts in their projects. The Commission wants to support them by launching this call to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to set up an “Integrity Pact Helpdesk”. Individual CSOs or consortia led by a CSO are invited to submit their proposal before 02/04/2024, at 18:00.

This data story describes how the 2021-2027 Cohesion policy programmes finance housing through the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the Just Transition Fund. For graphs, charts and an overview of the data check out this page to learn how the EU is making housing more energy-efficient, more resilient and more affordable.

On August 27th, the Kalamaria extension of the Thessaloniki metro officially opened, extending service to Kalamaria and marking another major step for urban transport in Thessaloniki and Central Macedonia.

As of Saturday, 15 August, the three winners of last year’s Megalizzi-Niedzielski Prize for young and aspiring journalists, Hildegard Leloulé, Elisa Ortuso and Sarah Costes, are travelling on a correspondent mission of EU-funded projects in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Indeed, quite far ahead but we're already excited.

The 12th Just Transition Platform Conference: Competitive Regions, Resilient Communities will take place on 1-2 December 2026 in Brussels and online and will kick-off with an eye-catching artistic exhibition.

Take part in the Interreg flagship event in November.

A new report from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre examines how population ageing, declining birth rates and regional population shifts are reshaping labour markets, public services and economic growth. It also highlights the policy tools and opportunities that can help regions adapt and build resilience in the decades ahead.

Islands are an integral part of the EU’s identity, shaping its economy, history, geography and culture. They range from densely populated territories close to the European mainland to sparsely inhabited areas in the periphery. Islands face structural challenges linked to their specific characteristics and are explicitly recognised in Article 174 TFEU among regions suffering from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, which may hamper their development. Their insularity limits their capacity for sustainable growth and resilience, at the same time, their territorial specificities, cultural heritage and natural environment offer significant and diverse opportunities.

In an era of increasing climate-related disasters, one thing is clear: floods, fires, and other extreme climate-related events do not stop at borders. Dr. Nicola Tollin, a leading expert in urban resilience with over 20 years of international experience, shares powerful insights on how cities can better manage climate-related disaster risks and build long-term resilience.

This month, we talked about EU visibility with Philippe Rousseau, ERDF Vlaanderen communication officer.

Read the story of Ruben, a Spanish volunteer deployed in Hamburg at Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY) lead partner of the Baltic TRAM project.

Are you a creative content creator passionate about sustainable tourism? Take pert in our competition and win a trip to Croatia to cover a Mediterranean sustainable tourism event.

The European Commission welcomes the appointment of María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar as the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus.

All selected partners are currently working hard on preparing their event: they are identifying their speakers and moderators, defining precise content and structure, making some videos… The full programme of the 300 sessions will be published on our website on 23 August. Register to your favourite sessions as of 30 August.

Discover how Dostupný Domov (Affordable Home) is helping address the housing challenge in Slovakia by providing quality rental homes at affordable prices for families, young professionals, key workers, and other people who struggle to access the housing market. Supported by EU-backed financing, the initiative shows how European investment can create lasting social impact while making housing more accessible.

What makes Chios mastiha so special? Discover how EU-funded research is revealing the remarkable properties of this unique natural resin, paving the way for innovative health products and ferrying Chios' secret ingredient from mythology to science.

Check out the video presentation for the EU strategy for Islands!

How can citizens help shape a stronger, more responsive Cohesion Policy? The OECD-DG REGIO report Citizen Participation for Better Cohesion Policy explores 11 pilot projects across 7 EU countries that tested practical ways to involve people in decisions that affect their communities. From deliberative processes and budget consultations to civic monitoring, the report shows how participation can improve policy effectiveness, strengthen trust and bring EU investment closer to citizens’ real needs.

This report outlines the updated methodology behind the Cohesion Policy Capacity Index (CPCI), a tool for measuring and comparing the administrative capacity of Cohesion Policy Managing Authorities across the EU.

Better management can be a powerful engine of economic growth. Using an extended RHOMOLO model, this paper shows that strengthening managerial capabilities boosts productivity, investment, and regional convergence across the EU, particularly in less developed regions.

Seagrass meadows, vital for marine biodiversity and climate action, are vanishing fast. The EfxINNOs project, classified as an Operation of Strategic Importance under Interreg Black Sea Basin Programme, is mapping and monitoring them across borders.

The Integrity Pact Knowledge Hub is an online resource that gathers relevant information about the Integrity Pacts in a single location. You can explore examples of Integrity Pact implementation practices and related details across 28 different countries worldwide through an interactive map. In this page, you also find sections with frequently asked questions as well as resources and tools to help you carry out analysis, policy development, and set up new initiatives – whether you work in government, international institutions or civil society. The IP Knowledge hub has been developed by Transparency International as part of the Integrity Pacts helpdesk supporting Programme Authorities in implementing Integrity Pacts to monitor Public Procurement project financed by EU Cohesion Policy Funds.