Earlier this week, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, held a Youth Policy Dialogue in Dublin focused on democratic empowerment and civic engagement. Thirty young participants from across the EU, including 9 from Ireland, took part. Commissioner McGrath said the Dialogue "comes at a really important time because we are preparing a new European Democracy Shield so I want to listen to all of the young people here today. Their views really matter and will be taken on board as we bring forward our plans to strengthen democracy within the European Union and to step up the engagement and the involvement and participation of young people in democracy throughout the European Union".

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Irish author Sheila Armstrong is one of 13 writers who have been shortlisted for the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) 2025. She was shortlisted for her novel "Falling Animals" (published by Bloomsbury). Sheila has already been shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards, the Society of Authors Awards, the Kate O’Brien Award, the Edge Hill Prize, and the RSL Ondaatje Prize. The 2025 EUPL Prize winner and the two special mentions will be revealed on 16 May 2025 at the Prague Book Fair.

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group are partnering with Europe's national promotional banks (NPBs) and international financial institutions (IFIs) to develop new financing opportunities for affordable and sustainable housing across Europe. EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen said: "Today we are kicking off the work with the EIB, national promotional banks and international financial institutions towards a pan-European investment platform to attract more public and private funding for housing. And, together with the European Parliament, we will consult intensively with Member States, cities, regions and all stakeholders to deliver the European Affordable Housing Plan".

The deadline for entries for the 2025 National Student Media Awards is fast approaching. The Awards include a European Commission Award for Journalism Relating to European Issues, which is presented to the best article on the topic of EU affairs published in a student publication. The winner of this Award will receive a cash prize of €1,000. Entries must be in by 12 March 2025.

The European Commission has published a Call for Evidence seeking feedback on the main objectives, scope and context of the upcoming Guidelines regarding the implementation of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (‘FSR'). This is a first step towards the publication of the Guidelines by 13 January 2026, as mandated by the FSR. The Guidelines will contribute to legal certainty, transparency and predictability in the Commission's enforcement of the FSR. The Call for Evidence will be available for feedback on the Commission's “Have your say” portal until 2 April 2025.

The EU institutions are looking for highly qualified English (EN), Danish (DA), German (DE), Estonian (ET), Croatian (HR), Dutch (NL), Romanian (RO) and Slovenian (SL) language lawyer-linguists/legal revisers. Recruited officials (grade AD 7) will work at the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union or the European Commission. The deadline to apply for one of these positions is 10 April 2025.

The European Commission and the European cross-industry social partners have signed a new Pact for European Social Dialogue which will strengthen the role of social partners in shaping labour market, employment, and social policies. The Pact establishes a long-term framework with concrete actions to be taken by the Commission and social partners to strengthen, expand the scope of social dialogue, and promote a stronger consultation of social partners. President von der Leyen said: "With the signing of the European Pact for Social Dialogue we put the social partners and the social dialogue at the heart of European decision-making".

On the agenda: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; EU-US relations; Iran; the latest developments in the Middle East and the wider region; and, current affairs.

The eighth summit between the leaders of the EU and South Africa will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, on 13 March. The President of the European Council, António Costa, together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the EU. South Africa will be represented by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The leaders will discuss the EU-South Africa bilateral relations, focusing on how to further cooperation on: trade and investment; the green and digital transitions; security and defence; energy; research and development; critical raw materials; and, skills and education.

On Tuesday 25 March at 11 am, the University of Limerick's EU Student Career Ambassador Orlaith Curtin will host an online Zoom event with 3 guest speakers: Jason Gavin, Interpreter at the EU Commission, Patrick Lavelle, Policy officer in the Secretariat General of the EU Commission, and Fatima Gonzalez Gomez, Project Adviser at the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. This event offers a great opportunity to meet online with EU staff, ask questions and receive firsthand insights into what it's like to work for the EU. See below the link to the Zoom event - Passcode: 6IrmWd.

The European Union needs skilled people to respond to new challenges and stay competitive. But as job requirements change, many workers struggle to keep up, and businesses cannot find the right talent. These skills and labour gaps are hindering European competitiveness. That is why the European Commission presented, this week, a plan to: deliver higher levels of basic and advanced skills, provide opportunities for people to regularly upskill, facilitate recruitment by businesses across the EU and, attract, develop and retain top talent in Europe. Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu said: "The Union of Skills is our strategy to help people stay ahead in a rapidly changing world and keep Europe competitive and fair".

The Commission has proposed to prolong EU gas storage obligations until the end of 2027 to ensure security of energy supply and help stabilise the European gas markets. At the same time, for the upcoming storage filling season of summer 2025, the Commission will provide more flexibility to Member States by taking into account the specific developments on the gas market. This will help them fill their facilities throughout the season at optimal purchase conditions.

The European Commission has put forward an Action Plan to boost the global competitiveness of the European automotive industry. The sector is at critical turning point, challenged by rapid technological changes and increasing competition. With a focus on clean mobility, digitalisation and supply chain resilience, the Plan will provide €1.8 billion for the development of a secure and competitive supply chain for battery raw materials and €1 billion for connected and autonomous vehicles and batteries. The Plan is complemented by the Decarbonise Corporate Fleets Communication highlighting best practice examples and encouraging Member States to take further actions to green corporate fleets, which account for around 60% of new car registrations.

The Dublin-based European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions is recruiting an ICT Systems & Solutions Specialist. The successful candidate will be an EU citizen, fluent in at least 2 EU languages - including an excellent level of English, with relevant education / training, work experience and appropriate technical skills. Apply before 25 March 2025

President von der Leyen this week convened key European industry leaders, social partners, and stakeholders for the launch of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Steel sector. This dialogue marks the start of an inclusive and collaborative process to address critical challenges faced by the sector and ensure its continued success as a key driver of the European economy. The President said: "European steelmakers are at a crossroads, facing the challenges of necessary decarbonisation and partly unfair global competition. Today's Dialogue is to lead to a tailored plan to help this sector decarbonise and thrive globally".

Ireland at 7.9% (up from 5.5% in 2022 and from 2.8% in 2004) had the lowest share of energy from renewable energy sources in heating and cooling in the EU in 2023 according to Eurostat. The EU average was 26.2%, up from 25% in 2022. Sweden led the way when it came to renewables in heating and cooling, with a 67.1% share (down from 69.8% in 2022), followed by Estonia at 66.7%. Both countries use mostly biomass and heat pumps.

To celebrate the contribution of Irish women to farming and to mark International Women’s Day, the Representation held an event entitled "Women step into farming". The event was opened by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D. and featured a panel discussion with Ailbhe Gerrard of Brookfield Farm, Dr Anne-Marie Butler of Teagasc, Karen McCabe, farmer and columnist, and Maura Farrell, lead coordinator at the Horizon Europe FLIARA project. The discussion was moderated by Stella Meehan, editor of Agriland. A series of short videos showcasing the experiences and perspectives of three Irish women farmers - Sophie Bell; Hannah Quinn Mulligan, and Teresa Roche - was also screened (see link below).

President Ursula von der Leyen and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga have announced their intent to align the Commission's ‘Scaling Up Renewables in Africa' initiative with ‘Mission 300', which aims to provide electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. With some 600 million people in Africa still without access to electricity, there is an urgent need for a coordinated, ambitious push to expand electricity access. This is critical to unlocking Africa's growth potential, meeting rising demand, creating jobs for the next generation, and improving quality of life. The collaboration between Mission 300 and Scaling Up Renewables in Africa aims to drive this transformation.

The European Commission has allocated €76 million in EU humanitarian to address the needs of people affected by the main crises in South and Southeast Asia. Of this amount, €32.3 million will support Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh. A further €33 million will support the population affected by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. The remaining €10.8 million will support refugees and host communities in nearby countries in the region, as well as to strengthen disaster preparedness.