The EU/European Union describes a economical and political union of 28 States. With an estimated population of around 510 million the European Union policies aim to allow the free movement of people, goods and services. Within the internal market it aims to maintain common policies on agriculture, trade and more.
Members
The EU and European citizenship were established in 1933. With the inner original 6 being Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. Although no member state has ever left, in 2016 the UK announced its intention to leave and has begun negotiating their departure for 2019.
More foreign aid is provided by the EU than any other economic union. Due to its Global influence and reach the Union has been described as an emerging superpower.
The European Commission has taken another step toward finalising its flagship research and innovation funding initiative, Horizon Europe, by pre-publishing the draft version of its 2025 work programme.
In response to the AstraZeneca feud, EU officials are creating a "transparency mechanism" for vaccine exports - which would indirectly hold companies accountable for fulfilling their agreed contracts.
EU leaders are investigating why AstraZeneca are not following through with the pre-agreed number of vaccines for the Member States - taking a 60% cut to the expected amount.
Michaela Bruckmayer, analyst and Joanna Hofman, associate director at RAND Europe, discusses how taking a career break to have children comes with a cost to women in the EU and how thinking needs to change to best tackle the issue.
After a year of unprecedented politics, a new APPG on Political Literacy has launched - from Brexit to Black Lives Matter, young people appear to be highly politically engaged without any formal support in schools.
The projects will happen in 14 Member States and the United Kingdom, with 36 million in funding to get COVID-19 plasma to patients - boosting their immune response to the virus.
Here, Alberto Troccoli explains why and how Europe’s H2020 project SECLI-FIRM continues to offer accurate seasonal climate forecasting which can reduce risk and cost alike for energy and water businesses.
Mental Health Europe point out that the New Pact on Migration and Asylum leaves behind migrants with disabilities and mental health problems, suggesting how this oversight could be resolved.
Christa Schweng, President, European Economic and Social Committee details the shaping of post-COVID-19 EU and argues that this is only possible with an organised civil society.
Sergio Ponsá talks about the valorization of the wastes generated by the dairy industry to recover phosphorous, a relevant macronutrient for plant growth that currently depends on a critical raw material.
The United Kingdom is about to leave the EU – but there are opportunities to rebuild a strong partnership around a more circular economy, states Professor Raimund Bleischwitz, Director of UCL Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources.
