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This Europe Day marks 75 years since the signing of the Schuman Declaration that laid the foundation of the European Union as we know it today. On 9 May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman announced the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community. Discover more.

Culture creates a sense of community and integration. According to a new survey, EU citizens (87%) strongly support cultural exchange and (88%) artistic freedom. They also call for fair working conditions for artists and a stronger EU role to protect heritage and respond to the impact of AI.

The Commission has launched a public consultation on a list of US industrial and agricultural imports, which could become subject to EU countermeasures, if EU-US negotiations on US tariffs fail. The EU will also launch a WTO dispute against the US over its universal reciprocal tariffs.

The EU’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions funding programme has opened its call for postdoctoral fellowships. The grants will help researchers acquire new skills and develop their careers. With a budget of €404.3 million, the grants are expected to fund over 1600 projects. Apply before 10 September.

The European Parliament held a ceremony in plenary to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. “We honour the courage of those who fought, and the sacrifice of those who fell,” said Parliament President Metsola. Three veterans from Poland and Belgium gave speeches at the ceremony.

Millions continue to struggle with cost of living despite a steady fall in inflation. The European Economic and Social Committee has demanded action to strengthen competition, lower prices and boost investment, especially due to barriers that affect the costs of products, like supply constraints.

The Commission has presented a roadmap to ensure the EU fully ends its dependency on Russian energy. Building on the REPowerEU plan, it will see the gradual removal of Russian oil, gas and nuclear energy from the EU markets in a coordinated and secure manner as the EU transitions to clean energy.

On World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the Parliament stresses the need to stand firm in defending media freedom. Free, independent, and diverse journalism is essential to any democratic society. But it remains under threat. Europe will strive to protect media diversity and journalistic independence.

The EU institutions will open their doors over the next week to celebrate Europe Day, which this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. You can discover their work and engage in entertaining activities. Many events will also take place in EU countries and around the world.

The winners of the 2025 European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award are from the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Poland. Utrecht (Netherlands), Mariehamn (Finland), and Braga (Portugal) won Gold Awards for fostering diversity and inclusion.

New figures reveal that Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research and innovation programme, is a major driver of economic and societal benefits. For every euro of costs to EU society, the programme is expected to generate up to six euros in benefits for EU citizens by 2045.

Europol has launched a taskforce to tackle the rising trend of organised crime networks hiring youngsters to carry out threats, assaults, or killings for a fee. The taskforce brings together police from 8 European countries with Europol providing operational support and coordination.

The tenfold surge of reported measles cases and the detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus in four European countries in 2024 clearly show we need to maintain high immunisation coverage to protect lives. European Immunisation Week stresses the vital role immunisation plays to prevent diseases.

The European Commission has put forward new rules that will help improve EU road safety. They will bring in periodic technical inspections for electric vehicles, digital vehicle registration and advanced emission testing methods to detect high-emitting vehicles to cut fine particles pollution.

The latest State of Schengen report shows that the Schengen area has brought profound benefits to the EU and its citizens in the last 40 years. The full entry of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area in early 2025 strengthened the EU economy and Schengen rules are well applied across the area.

The European Commission has found that US technology firms Apple and Meta have breached certain obligations laid down in the EU’s Digital Markets Act. They have been fined €500 million and €200 million respectively.

This Earth Day sees the launch of the third edition of the global campaign #ForOurPlanet. Focusing on ‘circular economy: beyond recycling’, the campaign calls on all interested organisations to act for our planet, from composting coffee grounds to local repair cafes. Find out how to get involved.

The EU has issued a list of products that should be prioritised to introduce eco-design requirements and energy labelling over the next five years. The list includes steel, aluminium, textiles, furniture, tyres and mattresses as well as consumer electronics and small household appliances.

The European rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products recorded more than 4000 alerts in 2024. Cosmetics (36%) remain the most frequently reported products posing health risks, followed by toys (15%), electrical appliances (10%), motor vehicles (9%) and chemical products (6%).