Europe Day marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which paved the way for a new era of peace, integration, and cooperation across the continent. This year, we celebrate 40 years since Portugal and Spain joined the EU, the 40th anniversary of the first official Europe Day celebrations, and the EU flag. Commemorations take place in major cities and focus on solidarity, peace, and shared values.
The European Union is undergoing significant reforms of its defence policy, accompanied by an unprecedented increase in military spending and the introduction of new borrowing instruments. In March 2025, the European Commission presented the "Readiness 2030" initiative, with the goal of mobilising €800 billion for defence spending by 2030. This massive increase in overall debt and relaxed national spending threaten the already strained economic situation. In 2024, the EU's net new debt was around €700 billion – and rising. How can Europe justify issuing massive joint debt for military purposes while debt rules still restrict investments in climate, education, and social justice?
Elections for a new EU Parliament took place in June 2024. About 320 million Europeans helped to shape European policy. Previously, low voter turnout was due to language barriers, EU apathy, and lack of national focus. With right-wing parties rising, the climate crisis escalating, and social inequality growing, every vote matters. Stay informed and support democracy in Europe.
As part of the European Green Deal, an EU taxonomy has been implemented to help the region reach its climate and energy targets. The initiative will make it easier for investors to make greener choices, and shift the focus onto sustainable growth concerning the economy, business, and society including health care. It will determine which activities and projects are classified as environmentally sustainable. In theory this should prevent greenwashing, and create security for investors, as well as scaling up sustainable investment. It is hoped that this scheme will inspire other countries to start their own taxonomies. However, there is much controversy around around the fact that nuclear energy and natural gas were included as greenwashing.
As the previous world leading importer of oil and gas in 2007, find out how much progress the EU has made in implementing policies to reach its Paris Agreement targets. Does the fossil fuel industry have a hand in which projects are approved? Where is EU funding going? Find out more here.
The ongoing conflict and resulting humanitarian crisis happening in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, have mad these places (other others) unsafe for citizens. Since 1995 we have witnessed huge numbers of people arriving from the Mediterranean Sea or overland from SE Europe. Discover the causes, positive stories, and how you can help here.
On the 8th May 2020, we celebrate the Victory in Europe Day and 75 years since the end of the Second World War and the Liberation from National Socialism. Around 60 Million People died in this War and many others were traumatized or displaced. Lets use this day to commemorate the many victims and recognize the significant danger of fascist ideology. So this will never happen again.
Starting back in 2009, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus began a trend of falling into debt, and looking to the ECB, IMF, and other EU countries for help. Unemployment rates rocketed, and economic growth was stifled. This led to the implementation of austerity measures all over Europe. Find more information, country by country here.
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