Notices by European Commission (eucommission@ec.social-network.europa.eu)

An Open Day to remember! 🇪🇺✨

Yesterday, we opened the doors to our headquarters in Brussels. We hosted concerts, dancing classes, virtual tours, and games to celebrate #EuropeDay with you.

We were thrilled to see so many of you from all over Europe and the world having fun and learning about the EU. 💙🌍

Europe Day is one day. But our shared values are worth celebrating every day.

We hope to see you again next year! 👋

🇪🇺 75 Years of the Schuman Declaration 🇪🇺

On 9 May 1950, Robert Schuman put forward a bold idea: unite Europe by pooling coal and steel production to make war ‘not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible.’

This moment planted the seed of today’s European Union, laying the foundations for peace and prosperity 🕊️

75 years on, the Declaration’s message of unity and solidarity resonates as much as ever.

Together we are stronger!

🇪🇺 EU laws shape your daily life: digital freedom, safe travel, clean air, consumer protection, and more.

They guarantee your rights, protect you, and offer you opportunities.

👉 But how are these laws made?

Here's a step-by-step guide ↓ 📝
https://europa.eu/!GnVWf6

Looking to advance your research career? Choose Europe.

Practical information: http://europa.eu/!B8hjh3

Register for the info session on 6 May: http://europa.eu/!gX3Dgv

Ready to craft your next epic quest?⛏🧱

Decoding the EU is more fun once you find the perfect crafting recipe:
🌍 Freedom of movement
Open borders in the EU help you explore

🛒 Single market
EU countries focus on what they’re best at and trade freely with each other

💶 Common currency
The Euro makes transactions smoother

🔬 EU-funded innovation and research
Driving ideas and finding solutions to improve people’s lives

Together – in a world of blocks or in the EU – we can achieve more! 🚀

Let the truth be told, let the press be free.

Journalists give voice to the voiceless and hold power to account.

Yet, too many face intimidation for simply doing their job.

This #WorldPressFreedomDay, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting those who protect the truth.

📜 Media Freedom Act strengthens editorial independence
⚖️ Fighting lawsuits to protect free speech
🌐 Digital Services Act tackles disinformation

Free press is a right we must protect.

More → https://europa.eu/!7f4q3j

Dear makers, doers, and thinkers,  
 
As we celebrate #InternationalWorkersDay, we reaffirm our commitment to building a fairer and more inclusive society with:  
 
💰 Equal pay for equal work  
📉 Minimum wages and skill investment  
🛡️ Minimum income support  
🏥 Worker safety and health protections  
 
And we’re taking forward a new Union of Skills to help you gain access to the skills you need to get ahead, and to make sure they’re recognised throughout the EU.
 
Always by your side.

10 years of the Plastic Bags Directive.

Taking centuries to degrade, they were among the top litter in the EU, often ingested by animals or breaking into microplastics & ending up in our food.

By the end of 2025, our goal is 40 bags per person per year.
Are you below this target?

It takes an ambitious budget to build a Union.

We are preparing the next long-term budget starting in 2028.

It will cover:

🌍 EU-funded projects
🤝 Humanitarian aid operations
💡 Research and innovation grants
🚜 Farmers' support
📚 Erasmus+ exchanges
... and more.

We'd like to hear your views on how to shape it.

As new challenges and expectations emerge, we must work to make the European Union fit for the future.

Have your say 👉 https://europa.eu/!hxFQDq

#EU

✔️ The EU just made its biggest progress on gender equality in the past 10 years!

The Gender Equality Index tracks how we’re closing the gender gap, and since 2010, our score has improved by 7.9 points.

Key highlights:
✔️ Employment gap is shrinking
⚠️ Women still do most housework & care
📊 Economic decision-making is more balanced
🏅 Gender parity in sport? Still a challenge

Progress is real—but there’s more to do.

Find out how your country scored➡ http://europa.eu/!ffcGQm

#UnionOfEquality

📍 How close is your nearest hospital?

In 2023, 83% of Europeans lived within a 15-minute drive from one.

Yet, as our latest findings show, access still varies widely across regions.

🚑 In 124 regions, 100% of residents had this access. The majority were in 🇩🇪, followed by 🇧🇪 🇳🇱 🇬🇷 🇫🇷 🇲🇹 🇪🇸 🇮🇹 🇵🇱

📉 In 97 regions, less than half the population lived within 15 minutes of a hospital. In 7 regions, fewer than 10% of residents were this close.

More info → https://europa.eu/!D7BpB8

Today, we have fined Apple and Meta for breaching the Digital Markets Act.

Apple restricts developers from informing customers about offers outside the App Store, while Meta doesn’t give consumers the choice of a service that uses less of their personal data.

Read more: https://europa.eu/!9RDQmk

📚 “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” - Victor Hugo

Today is World Book and Copyright Day. Publishing is one of the largest cultural industries in Europe, with 575 000 books published every year.

Books inspire, spark curiosity, and broaden horizons. Under Creative Europe, we want to help people access the richness and diversity of European literature.

Find out more: https://europa.eu/!MhQmBr

Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis.

He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.

Our thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.

May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.

Ready to craft your next epic quest? ⛏🧱

Decoding the EU is way more fun once you find the perfect recipe:

🌍 Freedom of movement
Open borders in the EU help you explore

🛒 Single market
EU countries focus on what they’re best at and trade freely with each other

💶 Common currency
The Euro makes transactions smoother

🔬 EU-funded innovation and research
Driving ideas and finding solutions to improve people’s lives

Together – in a world of blocks or in the EU – we can achieve more! 🚀

Meet Europa – the EU's mascot at #EXPO2025 Osaka, welcoming visitors for the next 6 months!

The EU's pavilion showcases European design & innovation through a range of activities.

Come and discover how we collaborate with Japan and global partners for future generations.

More: https://europa.eu/!hpQHrT

We welcome a historic deal to cut emissions from global shipping - one of the biggest polluting sectors.

This is a key step on the way to net zero emissions by 2050.

The plan:
✔️ Cleaner marine fuels
✔️ Global standards for fuel emissions
✔️ A first-ever carbon pricing system for ships

Revenues will support clean tech and a fair transition.

77% of Europeans believe we should have a common defence and security policy.

We are confronted today with extraordinary security and defence challenges. To meet them, we aim to:

🔹 Build a European defence union
🔹 Enhance the EU's preparedness and crisis management
🔹 Ensure a safer and more secure Europe

We stand firm in our commitment to ensure Europe remains safe, secure, together!

Find out more: https://europa.eu/!DDQdk7

A strong Europe rolls on at high speed.

Efficient EU train services offer clean and smart alternatives to travel.

This is why we want to bridge gaps in the EU's rail network with a new high-speed rail plan.

Tomorrow, we'll kick-start new discussions with stakeholders to improve infrastructure, passenger services, and the rail industry.

We're also working on single digital booking and ticketing rules to make travelling easier.

Ready to hop on?

More: https://europa.eu/!nvqbGc

#EU

🚆 Are you 18 and ready to explore Europe? 

You could get a FREE travel pass with #DiscoverEU to explore Europe’s culture, history and diversity.
 
Applications close soon — don’t miss out! 👇
 
https://europa.eu/!9dCdNV