European Capitals of Diversity and Inclusion Award

Diversity and inclusion

This year, for the first time the European sets out to reward towns, cities and regions for their work in promoting inclusion and helping to fight discrimination with the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award.  The award, which is part of the Commission’s Union of Equality framework and was launched in the EU anti…

Croatia Benefits from EU Solidarity Fund

Elisa Ferreira

The Commission has adopted the financing decision awarding €319 million of EU solidarity fund (EUSF) support to Croatia following the devastating series of earthquakes that hit Sisak-Moslavina, Karlovac and Zagreb Counties in December 2020 and January 2021. This catastrophe came only a few months after the devastating earthquake that hit Zagreb and its surroundings in…

European Capitals of Culture

Novi Sad

Since 1 January 2022, three cities in Europe hold the title of European Capital of Culture for one year: Esch-sur-Alzette  (Luxembourg), Kaunas (Lithuania), and Novi Sad (Serbia). Holding the title of European Capital of Culture gives cities the chance to boost their image, put themselves on the world map, promote sustainable tourism and rethink their development through culture….

New Rules on Digital Contracts

Digital Contracts

New EU rules on digital content and on the sale of goods have entered into application. From now on, it will be easier for consumers and businesses to buy and sell digital content, digital services and goods and ‘smart goods’ across the EU. Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, said: “2022 is starting off on a very positive note for…

Beyrer Comments on EU Tax Proposals

Cut Taxes

The European Commission has presented its communication on own resources and directives on a minimum corporate tax and fighting shell entities. Reaction came from BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer who said: “It is important that the EU has a stable funding source through its own resources. The best way to ensure we are able…

EU Proposes New Sources of Revenue

Iohannes Hahn

The Commission has proposed to establish the next generation of own resources for the EU budget by putting forward three new sources of revenue: the first based on revenues from emissions trading (ETS), the second drawing on the resources generated by the proposed EU carbon border adjustment mechanism, and the third based on the share…

€354.8m Approved for REACT-EU in Spain

React-EU

The Commission has approved €354.8 million under the 2022 tranche of REACT EU to support the recovery and to pave the way for the digital and green transition of Spain. This support will be channelled through the top up of five Operational Programmes (OP) of the ERDF. These resources add up to the support already provided with the 2021…

EU Authorises New Vaccine Nuvaxovid

Stella Kyriakides

The European Commission has granted a conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) for the COVID‑19 vaccine Nuvaxovid, developed by Novavax, the fifth COVID-19 vaccine authorised in the EU. This authorisation follows a positive scientific recommendation based on a thorough assessment of the safety, effectiveness and quality of the vaccine by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and is…

EU Digital COVID 19 Certificate

Covid Digital Certificate

The Commission has adopted rules relating to the EU Digital COVID Certificate, establishing a binding acceptance period of 9 months (precisely 270 days) of vaccination certificates for the purposes of intra-EU travel. A clear and uniform acceptance period for vaccination certificates will guarantee that travel measures continue to be coordinated, as called for by the European Council…

Estonia and Malta RRF Approved

Estonia RRF

The European Commission has disbursed €126 million to Estonia and €41 million to Malta in pre-financing under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).  These payments are equivalent to 13% of each country’s grant allocation under the RRF. These pre-financing payments will help to kick-start the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in…