New targeted amendments to existing EU funding programmes will support faster, more flexible and coordinated investments in Europe's defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB). Under a new Regulation to stimulate defence-related investments within the EU budget proposed today by the Commission, the EU will strengthen its defence Readiness 2030 and to implement the ReArm Europe plan.

The European Commission’s new initiative the Union of Skills equips Europe’s workforce for the future, tackling skill shortages and boosting competitiveness. This goes together with the objectives of the Talent Booster Mechanism: to ensure Europe's competitiveness and social cohesion.

Interreg Amazonia program is playing a pivotal role in fostering cross-border collaboration between the EU outermost region of French Guiana and its neighbours Suriname, and Brazil through the BIO-PLATEAUX project. This initiative improves the management of water resources and aquatic biodiversity in the Maroni and Oyapock river basins, which span in the Guiana Shield region of South America.

In the twin cities of Gorizia and Nova Gorica, a landmark Interreg event showcased how cross-border cooperation turns shared history into a shared future—powered by unity, resilience, and a new generation of Europeans.

Who might be these communication coordinators, and why should that be something relevant for you, you might ask yourself.. The coordinator role is set out in the CPR - in practice, they are the go-to person for anything CPR and visibility-related in a Member State. In other words, it's their doors that both the Commission and programmes knock on when there's something communication-worthy cooking :) Take a look at key takeaways from the Vienna event.

New edition, new opportunity to spam you with fresh content from the world of INFORM EU! This is our second edition of many more to come, and we're back with visibility updates & insights, a few stories you won’t want to miss and of course some strategically important news. In this issue, we are spotlighting a brilliant EU story from Naples and taking a closer look at Le joli mois de l'Europe in France. As always, it’s all about helping you tell the EU story in ways that resonate, inform, and inspire. Have a nice read, Your INFORM EU team.

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To become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) is the objective of the AI Continent Action Plan launched today. As set out by President von der Leyen at the AI Action Summit in February 2025 in Paris, this ambitious initiative is set to transform Europe's strong traditional industries and its exceptional talent pool into powerful engines of AI innovation and acceleration.

EVP Fitto: "VISIT to La Réunion and Mayotte for the Conference of the Outermost Regions. These territories not only experience geographical distance from European capitals, but they have also recently been hit by two devastating cyclones, which caused casualties and severe damage in areas that are already fragile and underdeveloped." Watch the video on Instagram

The European Union has paused its countermeasures on unjustified US trade tariffs to allow time and space for EU-US negotiations. The pause was first announced by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week, and takes legal effect tomorrow.

AMIF, Belgium

Interreg Amazonia program is playing a pivotal role in fostering cross-border collaboration between the EU outermost region of French Guiana and its neighbours Suriname, and Brazil through the BIO-PLATEAUX project. This initiative improves the management of water resources and aquatic biodiversity in the Maroni and Oyapock river basins, which span in the Guiana Shield region of South America.

‘Youth Development and Engagement Collective’ is a project financed by the European Union, selected from the 2024 REGIO call “Youth4cooperation: the future of cooperation”. With the goal of empowering youth voices and highlighting the diversity, the project unites young people from cities and rural areas of 14 countries along the Danube.

The European Union continues to stand at the forefront of climate action and regional cooperation with the launch of the strategic RETFOR project, aimed at strengthening the resilience of one of Europe’s most important forest ecosystems.

The kick-off meeting on 9 April officially marked the start of this year’s edition. Thank you to all the participants who joined the meeting to find out all there is to know about the 23rd #EURegionsWeek!

Effective disaster risk management (DRM) is essential to help European cities and prepare for increasingly frequent shocks and stresses. Climate-related events, such as repetitive devastating floods, heatwaves, and wildfires fires are becoming more common due to climate change. New geopolitical, technological, and health hazards equally enhance the need for effective disaster risk management within a multi-disaster approach.

"Cohesion is a marathon”: Kata Tüttő, speaks with Panorama on two decades of local political experience in Budapest and outlines her vision for a modernised and stable cohesion policy.

Interreg Amazonia programme is playing a pivotal role in fostering cross-border collaboration between the EU outermost region of French Guiana and its neighbours Suriname, and Brazil through the BIO-PLATEAUX project. This initiative improves the management of water resources and aquatic biodiversity in the Maroni and Oyapock river basins, which span in the Guiana Shield region of South America.

The #EURegionsWeek will take place on 13-15 October 2025, in Brussels under the motto “Shaping Tomorrow, Together”. All sessions and activities will be based on the 3 thematic areas: 1. Cohesion and Growth for the Future; 2. The right to stay: Unlocking the potential of every territory; 3. Cities building tomorrow. Please check the event guide to know more about how to become a partner, the thematic clusters, the different session formats, the timeline and much more. Deadline for applications 11 May 2025

Just days after the European Commission released its Communication on the Modernisation of Cohesion Policy, we organised the 3rd meeting of the HoMA Network – bringing together Heads of Managing Authorities from EU Member States. The timing couldn’t have been better. From geopolitical megatrends, STEP and defence to leadership, AI, and simplification – the discussions were timely, sharp, and solution-focused. Nicola De Michelis, acting Deputy Director-General at DG REGIO, participated in the meeting alongside inspiring speakers including Ricardo Borges de Castro, Carlos Santiso, Koen Marichal, Lucio Vinhas de Souza, Jeromin Zettelmeyer, and many more. Sessions were dynamic and practical – proof that this Network thrives on real challenges. Huge thanks to everyone who participated and helped make it happen! See you again in the autumn in Ireland for another HoMA Network meeting. #CohesionPolicy #HoMA #FutureOfEurope #EUinMyRegion