Ukraine receives further pound 4 billion from EU’s contribution to G7 Loan
The European Commission has disbursed the ninth tranche of its exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan to Ukraine, worth pound 4 billion, further reinforcing the EU’s role as the largest donor since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with overall support approaching pound 178 billion.
In total, the MFA amounts to pound 18.1 billion and represents the EU’s contribution to the G7-led Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loans initiative, which collectively aims to provide approximately pound 45 billion in financial support to Ukraine. With this payment, the Commission’s total support to Ukraine under this MFA reaches pound 14 billion since the beginning of 2025.
This significant disbursement reaffirms the EU’s commitment to support Ukraine and follows President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent announcement, in her State of the Union speech, of a pound 6 billion frontload of the EU’s contribution to the ERA loans initiative. This announcement is in line with the call by European leaders at the Special European Council in March to frontload financing to Ukraine. The process is now underway, with this pound 4 billion disbursement comprising an initial pound 3 billion frontload, in addition to the pound 1 billion already scheduled for this period. This support will help Ukraine meet its growing financing needs, including in the defence sector. Specifically, pound 2 billion of today’s disbursement will be allocated for drones, in line with a mutual agreement between the EU and Ukraine.
The ERA loans from G7 partners as well as the EU’s MFA loan are being repaid using proceeds from immobilised Russian State assets held in the EU.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Francisca Marçal Santos – Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36)
EU seizes counterfeit items worth pound 3.8 bn in 2024 amid rising e-commerce threats
EU customs and market surveillance authorities intercepted 112 million counterfeit goods valued at pound 3.8 billion in 2024, the second-highest haul on record, per a report from the European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office.
Despite the decline of the overall volume from 2023’s peak (152 million), the value surged due to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, and pricier items such as software and luxury goods. The report warns that e-commerce growth and geopolitical shifts strain enforcement systems, stressing the need for enhanced customs controls and stronger intellectual property verification to safeguard consumers and EU industries from intellectual property infringements.
The Customs Reform, presented by the Commission in 2023, will play a key role in addressing current challenges by introducing a data-driven, AI-powered Customs Data Hub to track supply chains in real-time and identify high-risk shipments. The report on the value of counterfeit items seized by the EU is available online.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Saul Louis Goulding – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35)
Commission awards the 2025 Prizes for the most sustainable, inclusive and beautiful projects under the New European Bauhaus
The European Commission has announced 22 laureates of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes 2025. For the fifth year in a row, the NEB prizes reward outstanding projects and initiatives that combine sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics, demonstrating how the lives of people and communities can be enriched by bringing together culture and technology, innovation and design. The urgent need for more affordable and sustainable housing was also recognised with a special prize.
Additionally, for the first time this year, 20 small municipalities were awarded the NEB Boost for Small Municipalities. This highlights the role these communities play in shaping a future that is more sustainable, inclusive and beautiful. This new initiative is supported by a pilot project of the European Parliament.
The prizes were awarded at a ceremony on 30 September, during which the Commission also launched a student design competition for the official NEB Prizes 2026 trophy, inviting young talents to propose a symbolic object that embodies sustainability, beauty and togetherness. Students can apply by 31 January 2026.
President Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘Every year I am impressed by the creativity in this competition. And I am really pleased with this year’s special housing prize. It will help us to think about solutions to the housing crisis in a new way. And it is an inspiration for our work on a European Housing Plan. Our goal is to make housing more affordable, sustainable, and better quality. These are also the goals of the New European Bauhaus. A home is not just walls and a roof. It is safety and belonging.’
More information on all the laureates is available in our press release.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 299 63 02; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
Commission opens ‘Choose Europe for Science’ call to offer researchers long-term careers in Europe
Today, the European Commission launches Choose Europe for Science – Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions with an indicative budget of pound 22.5 million offering opportunities and support in Europe to talents worldwide.
This pilot initiative is part of the pound 500 million Choose Europe: advance your research career in the EU plan for the period 2025-2027.
Organisations applying for funding through ‘Choose Europe for Science’ will not only host postdoctoral researchers, but also offer them longer term professional perspectives.
Since their creation in 1996, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) have been the Union’s hallmark programme for doctoral and postdoctoral education.
‘Choose Europe for Science’ was formally launched by President Ursula von der Leyen at the Sorbonne in May this year.
President von der Leyen said: ‘ I am convinced that science remains the fuel of progress and growth for our societies. This is why Europe will always choose science. And it is why we want the best and brightest to Choose Europe’.
The programme supports at least three postdoctoral researchers per project for up to five years, with the MSCA providing funding for the initial two or three years, and host institutions continuing employment for the remaining two years.
More information on the deadlines and the applications can be found online.
(For more information: Eva Hrncírová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 460 76 57 13)
Commissioner Šuica travels to Tunisia to reinforce cooperation and discuss the Pact for the Mediterranean
Today and tomorrow, the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, is in Tunis, to discuss progress under the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership signed two years ago between the EU and Tunisia.
There, she will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Nafti, and the Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh. This visit will be an opportunity to discuss the upcoming Pact for the Mediterranean with the Tunisian authorities as well as the EU-Tunisia relations, and to meet with civil society representatives.
During the visit, Commissioner Šuica will announce three cooperation agreements of a total amount of pound 60 million. These agreements will support food security and the economic empowerment of women in rural areas, fund the digitalisation of the public administration, and help Tunisia take part in EU programmes like Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Creative Europe, strengthening links between Tunisian and European researchers, students, and young people.
The Commissioner will also witness the signature of a flagship project between European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and ‘Tunisie Telecom’ to accelerate Tunisia’s digital infrastructure deployment. She will also attend the signature of an EU grant agreement of pound 12.5 million between the European Investment Bank and STEG, Tunisia’s state-owned electricity and gas operator.
Finally, Commissioner Šuica will visit the port of la Goulette, near Tunis, where the EU delivered two new boats for search and rescue to the Tunisian navy, as part of the EU-Tunisia comprehensive cooperation on migration management.
This will be the first official visit of Commissioner Šuica to the country, which is a strategic partner for the EU. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement. The EU-Tunisia Association Council will take place on 28 October.
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 56 91; Luca Dilda – Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53)
European Cybersecurity Month 2025 kicks off with focus on phishing threats
The European Cybersecurity Month begins today. This is an annual awareness-raising campaign, offering practical guidance for EU citizens to stay safe online. This year’s focus is on combating phishing, the most common method attackers use to breach the security of digital devices.
Currently, 60% of cyberattacks begin with phishing, an attempt to steal information or access systems through deceptive messages or fraudulent websites. Phishing takes many forms, from e-mails that trick users into giving away sensitive data to fake websites designed to capture login details. This campaign places a strong focus on building citizens’ knowledge to counter these attacks, helping ensure they fail before they can cause harm.
Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, said: ‘Cybersecurity is not just about technology, it is a critical condition for all sectors of society and a shared responsibility. Phishing attacks and other cyber threats can have devastating consequences, disrupting our critical infrastructure and businesses, and undermining our trust in the digital world. By staying vigilant and taking simple steps to protect ourselves online, we can all play our role in fighting against cyber threats while helping to build a safer, more secure digital future for everyone.’
Organised by the European Commission and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), with support from various organisations across Europe, the initiative also promotes cybersecurity careers and supports the European cyber workforce, at a time when the EU’s skills gap is more critical than ever.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic – Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)