European Commission

Japan has now joined Horizon Europe, our flagship research and innovation programme.    Japan is the 23rd country to partner with the EU-27, and by far the most populous. It is also bringing one of the world’s most advanced research ecosystems into our scientific network.    Japanese researchers can now work with teams from the EU to tackle global challenges in health, digital transition, and climate neutrality.    Science thrives when talent, ideas and innovation cross borders.    More 👉 link.europa.eu/YP7MtB 

Did your working week feel long?    In 2025, 20–64-year-olds in the EU worked on average, 35.9 hours a week in their main job.     Working hours may vary, but certain rights don't.  Because every EU worker is guaranteed:    ✅ Health and safety at work  ✅ Equal opportunities for women and men  ✅ Protection against discrimination  ✅ Fair working conditions    Take a look at the latest data here: https://lnkd.in/eSqfD72w 

Tired of your tech dying the second the warranty expires? 🙄🔌    We’ve all been there: your washing machine or phone breaks, and it’s somehow cheaper to buy a new one than to fix the old. It’s a waste of money and waste of resources for the planet.    We’re making the Right to Repair the new standard in Europe:    ✅ Manufacturers now must offer repairs even after your warranty is up.  ✅ Parts for products like phones, tablets and washing machines must be available for 7 years or more after the model is no longer sold, depending on the product.  ✅ If you choose repair over replacement under warranty, your legal coverage is extended by one year.  ✅ A new EU-wide platform is coming to help you find local repair shops and fair prices instantly.    Good for your wallet, even better for the planet. 

Protecting Ukraine’s skies, securing Europe’s future. We have disbursed a further €3.47 billion to Ukraine under the defence window of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan. This funding responds directly to Ukraine’s urgent military needs, delivering vital equipment to protect its people and territory: 🔹 Drones, including long-range jet-powered drones 🔹 Air defence systems and missiles 🔹 Gripen fighter jets In 2026, we will disburse €28.3 billion to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capacity. By helping Ukraine defend itself against aggression, we are safeguarding our shared European security. More: https://lnkd.in/gzMY6eTN

We are accelerating Europe’s technological autonomy. We have launched a major call to establish up to seven AI Gigafactories across Europe. Advanced AI depends on highly specialised computing hardware. We are unlocking over €30 billion in total investment, including €10 billion in EU and national funding. By combining our funding with EU countries and private investors we aim to scale up our computing capacity: ✔️ For start-ups, scale-ups, and researchers, it means direct access to world-class infrastructure for training and fine-tuning advanced AI models. ✔️ For consortia of companies, public entities, and investors, it translates into collaboration across borders to build state-of-the-art facilities. More 👉 https://lnkd.in/dXyN87fq

Trade is one of the EU's strongest tools for building lasting partnerships.    Today, the EU has trade agreements in place with 84 partners worldwide — making it the world's largest trade network.    Relationships built on shared rules, mutual benefit, and long-term cooperation.    And we do not just want to trade together. We want to thrive together.    Happy #InternationalFriendshipDay!

A small mark, with big power.  For more than 30 years, the CE (Conformité Européenne) marking has allowed many products to be moved and marketed freely all around the EU, regardless of where it’s manufactured. With this marking, the producer declares that the item you’re buying meets high EU safety, health, and environmental standards.  You’ll find this mandatory mark across specific product categories, including electronics, toys, recreational gear, and medical devices.  Check the full list → https://lnkd.in/d7gw8hMs 

Europe is standing together to face the devastating wildfires across France and Spain.    Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, France has received: ✈️ 7 firefighting planes and 🚁 4 helicopters from 🇨🇿 🇭🇷,🇩🇪,🇵🇹, 🇸🇰,🇸🇪and 🇹🇷. Spain has received: ✈️ 6 firefighting planes from 🇬🇷, 🇮🇹 and 🇹🇷, as well as 134 emergency personnel and 41 vehicles from 🇵🇹. The EU’s Copernicus satellite service and Emergency Response Coordination Centre continue to assist operations.   Thanks to pre-season preparedness, European teams were ready to respond quickly.   ©️ European Union, 2026 (footage from: Directorate General ‘Fire safety and civil protection’ within Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria, Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, Fire and Rescue Service of the Slovak Republic)  

The great European summer debate: marathon break vs smart pacing.     How we structure school calendars varies across our Union, reflecting different local traditions and lifestyle models.     Did you know that Italian students enjoy around 14 weeks off during the summer, making it one of the longest breaks in the EU? Meanwhile, in Denmark, the summer break is about 6 weeks, paired with mini holidays spread throughout the year.     Both models have their benefits, and also shape family routines, work-life balance, and learning patterns in very different ways.     Explore how school calendars compare across all EU countries 👇     https://lnkd.in/eqe_Cu7q 

We’re incredibly lucky to have so many amazing European authors.  And, what better time than summer, when things slow down, to enjoy a good piece of reading? So, we’ve compiled a list of the EU Prize for Literature laureates of the past five years. The Prize recognises the best emerging fiction writers in Europe. It promotes the translation of their works and their broader circulation, as well as encouraging greater interest in non-national literary works.    Since 2009, the Prize has celebrated 216 authors, with the aim to reach readers beyond national and linguistic borders. What’s on your summer reading list? Let us know 👇