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Humanitarian needs are at an all-time high in 2026 with 239 million people in need of assistance. The European Commission has set out concrete solutions to maximise the effectiveness and impact of EU humanitarian aid globally. This includes making it more efficient and protecting aid workers.

Six EU-funded films picked up awards at the latest Cannes Film Festival. Fjörd, which received EU support for its development, was awarded the prestigious Palme d'Or. MEDIA-supported Das Geträumte Abenteuer and Notre Salut took home the Jury prize and the Best Screenplay Award respectively.

Citizens have officially handed over 20 recommendations on how to strengthen the EU’s capacity to prevent and respond to emergencies to the European Commission. The recommendations are the result of 3 months of deliberation by 150 EU citizens in the European Citizens’ Panel on Preparedness.

New EU rules establish the first harmonised EU-wide standards for the welfare, breeding, identification and traceability of cats and dogs. Their identification and registration will now be mandatory, supporting responsible breeders and owners, and closing the door on illegal operators.

Ten years ago, the GDPR gave Europeans real control over their personal data for the first time. From the right to access your data to the right to be forgotten, its protections apply wherever you are in the EU.

The EU and Mexico have agreed to deepen their political and economic cooperation at an EU-Mexico summit. Two agreements were signed that will strengthen political dialogue and create mutual opportunities in areas such as trade, investment and clean technologies.

On the occasion of Natura 2000 Day, we celebrate the EU’s flagship nature network, which covers more than 27 000 nature sites in Europe. Join the celebrations by taking part in a BioBlitz and exploring a Natura 2000 site near you.

The Council of the EU and the European Parliament have agreed to eliminate tariffs on all US industrial goods and provide preferential market access for certain US agricultural and seafood products. This marks an important step in delivering on the commitments made in the EU-US Joint Statement.

New EU rules aimed at increasing transparency in the short-term rentals sector are now applying across Europe. They help increase safety for tourists through the reduction of illegal listings online and local communities better manage the impact of short-term rental activity.

The European Commission has proposed to mobilise €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund to help Spain, Romania and Cyprus recover from devastating climate-related disasters in 2025. Spain and Cyprus suffered catastrophic wildfires last summer while severe flooding struck Romania.

The Commission has put forward new rules to make Europe-wide train booking and travel easier. This would enable single-ticket bookings across multiple rail operators, as well as new, full rail passenger rights protection for people with a single ticket who miss their connection.

The EU has issued guidance for public health and healthcare professionals and transport personnel on managing passengers linked to the Andes hantavirus outbreak on the M/V Hondius cruise ship, including those with and without symptoms. It covers testing, quarantine, and protective measures.

The EU has agreed to broaden the scope of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers, so that workers facing imminent unemployment now also have access to the support the Fund provides. The new rules will apply until the end of 2027.

EU rules that update the lists of pollutants in surface and groundwaters have entered into force today. This will add stricter controls on PFAS, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The rules also address microplastics and antimicrobial resistance to improve water resilience and cut pollution.

On 9 May, Europeans celebrate Europe Day. 2026 marks the 76th  anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it today, and led to an unprecedented era of peace, democracy, prosperity, integration and cooperation across the continent.

Over €1 billion of EU funding will go to nine hydrogen production projects in seven EU countries. The projects are expected to produce over 1.3 million tonnes of hydrogen over 10 years, which will help reduce emissions from energy-intensive industries such as transport and chemicals.

90 million Europeans live with a disability. We need to achieve full inclusion to ensure that their rights are respected, which will also boost Europe's economy and democracy. To support this goal, the Commission is updating its strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Poverty affects 1 in 5 Europeans, including 1 in 4 children, while around 1 million people are homeless across the EU. The European Commission has proposed new measures to tackle poverty and housing exclusion, including the first-ever EU anti-poverty strategy.

The European Parliament has launched the call for submissions for entries to the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism. Every year, the Prize rewards outstanding journalism that promotes or defends EU values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.