Commission invests pound 2.9 billion to boost net-zero technology projects under the Innovation Fund
Today, the European Commission announced a total of pound 2.9 billion in funding to 61 cutting-edge net zero technology projects under the Innovation Fund.
The Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programs for the deployment of innovative net-zero and low-carbon technologies. It is financed by the revenues generated from the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), a key instrument to reach our climate goals while ensuring industrial competitiveness.
The grants have been awarded to projects that have a significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in various sectors including cleantech manufacturing, renewables, energy storage, and energy-intensive industries, at different scales. These projects underscore the EU’s commitment to bolster Europe’s leadership and manufacturing capacity in innovative, cutting-edge, net-zero technologies, while pursuing the path to climate neutrality by 2050.
More information is available in the press release and questions and answers available online.
(For more information: Eva Hrncírová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07)
EU releases pound 21.5 million in new aid as crises deepen in Venezuela and Haiti, and in response to Hurricane Melissa
The EU is releasing pound 21.5 million in humanitarian aid as Venezuela and Haiti face worsening humanitarian crises and as the Caribbean reels from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The funding will help partners provide essential assistance such as food, healthcare, protection and emergency relief to those most in need. This new funding adds to the pound 149 million already allocated through the year to Latin America and the Caribbean
Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: ‘As humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate in Haiti and Venezuela, the EU remains committed to helping those most in need. This funding will help address the alarming food insecurity in Haiti, where the number of people displaced by violence is reaching record levels. It will also provide help to Venezuelans in and outside the country, as this crisis remains one of the largest in South America. Latin America and the Caribbean are also increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Hurricane Melissa is a stark reminder of the devastating impact such disasters can have. Our funding will extend to our partners on the ground, who are delivering life-saving aid to affected Caribbean nations’.
More details are available in our press release.
(For more information: Eva Hrncírová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35)
EU trade agreements accelerate EU export growth and support diversification
According to the fifth Annual Report on Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade Policy published today, the EU’s large network of trade agreements helps companies find alternative markets for their exports, while reducing dependencies in a challenging geopolitical environment.
The report, covering 2024 and the first half of 2025, concludes that EU trade agreements increase the resilience and competitiveness of EU economic operators, and EU trade agreements also support diversification and supply chain stability. The EU is actively expanding its network of trade agreements. Two new EU preferential agreements entered into force last year – a free trade agreement with New Zealand, and an Economic Partnership Agreement with Kenya. This brings the total number of EU trade agreements currently in place to 44, covering 76 preferential trade partners.
Maroš Šefcovic, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, said: ‘Trade agreements make the EU more resilient in the face of geopolitical challenges by providing safer, more diverse sources of supply for our imports and stable markets for our exports. The agreements not only remove tariffs but also support regulatory coherence and international standards, which in turn reduces costs for economic operators. Securing the widest possible range of markets is vital for EU businesses in these turbulent times for international trade.’
More information is available in our press release.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero – Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70)
Commission seeks views on the revision of the Public Procurement Directives
The European Commission has opened a 12-week consultation, seeking input and evidence to inform the review of the EU Public Procurement Directives. The initiative aims to modernise and simplify procurement rules, aligning them with the EU’s strategic priorities, including strategic autonomy and sustainability. With EU public authorities spending over pound 2.6 trillion annually, of which pound 600 billion are subject to EU rules, the revision seeks to foster a more efficient and strategic public investment system.
The Commission seeks input from stakeholders, including public authorities, businesses, civil society, social partners, and academia, on how EU procurement rules can be improved. There is a public questionnaire available on the Have Your Say portal, covering both general and technical aspects, as well as a call for data, studies, and any other type of supporting evidence.
The consultation will run until 24 January 2026 and all feedback collected will contribute to the preparation of a legislative proposal announced for Q2 2026.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Rya Perincek – Tel: +32 460 76 25 10)
Commission approves pound 219 million Italian scheme to support cleantech manufacturing capacity in the region of Lazio
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a pound 219 million Italian scheme to support manufacturing capacity in line with the Clean Industrial Deal objectives, in the region of Lazio. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The scheme was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025.
Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The scheme will be open to all companies that carry out investments that add manufacturing capacity for the production of net-zero technologies, as well as the production of the main specific components of these technologies, listed in Annex II of the CISAF. The scheme also includes aid to produce new or recovered related critical raw materials necessary for the final products or main specific components.
The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the CISAF. In particular, (i) the aid will incentivise the production of clean technologies, as well as their main specific components and related critical raw materials; and (ii) it may be granted until 31 December 2030. Therefore, the Commission concluded that the Italian scheme is necessary and appropriate to accelerate the transition towards a net-zero economy and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal. Finally, the Commission found that the scheme is proportionate, as the aid is limited to the minimum necessary and has a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Italian scheme under EU State aid rules.
More information on the CISAF can be found here. The non-confidential version of today’s decision will be made available under the case number SA.120013 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774)
Joint statement by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen, High Representative Kallas and Commissioner McGrath on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
In view of the International Day to end Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, celebrated on 2 November, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Michael McGrath issued the following statement:
‘A free press is the heartbeat of democracy. Society depends on journalists who shine a light on injustice and hold those in power accountable. Yet across the world, journalists continue to be killed, tortured, harassed, detained and forced into exile.
The International Federation of Journalists reported how fatal the pursuit of truth has been in many parts of the world in 2025.
International humanitarian law is clear: journalists are civilians and must be protected at all times. Every attack against them must be investigated promptly, independently, and effectively. All perpetrators must be held to account.
The EU supports independent journalism worldwide and provides protection to those at risk. We also work to address the growing threats in the digital sphere, where journalists increasingly face coordinated harassment, unlawful surveillance, and campaigns designed to discredit or intimidate them.
Since 2015, through the ProtectDefender.EU mechanism, the EU has provided direct support to nearly 13,000 journalists at risk worldwide, including 943 between September 2024 and August 2025 alone. Two new EU-funded projects worth a combined pound 20 million are now strengthening independent media in over 40 countries with a particular focus on women journalists, reporting on minority groups, or areas with little news coverage.
In the EU, fostering media pluralism and media freedom has been at the heart of the EU efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. the European Media Freedom Act has put in place strong safeguards for media and journalists, ensuring they can carry out their work, without undue pressure. The European Commission continues to monitor developments related to media freedom and pluralism, including as regards the safety and protection of journalists in all EU Member States, as well as in certain enlargement countries, through the annual Rule of Law Reports. In addition, the EU supports a Europe-wide rapid response mechanism to monitor and support media freedom and journalists’ safety, currently implemented by MFRR.eu.
The work of journalists enables societies to see clearly – and to act. On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we call on all States to uphold their obligations: to protect journalists and to guarantee accountability.’
More information is available in our statement.
(For more information: Anitta Hipper – Tel.: +32 229 85 691; Luca Dilda – Tel.: +32 229 52 153)
Statement by Commissioner Várhelyi on One Health Day 2025
World One Health Day is observed globally on 3 November. To mark this occasion, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi made the following statement:
‘On World One Health Day, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to tackle cross-sectoral threats through a One Health approach. Now more than ever, the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment are closely interconnected.
By applying the One Health lens, experts across sectors and policies account for all aspects of our ecosystem when identifying, preventing and monitoring health threats. This approach guides our actions on a wide range of topics, from zoonotic diseases and food safety to climate-related health risks.
The fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a clear example of where One Health can save lives and money, with AMR currently causing 35,000 deaths and costing European countries some pound 11.7 billion annually in the EU/EEA. For this reason, we are working to develop new antimicrobials and use all antimicrobials prudently through the ongoing review of the pharmaceutical legislation. We are also supporting Member States with pound 50 million to reach the targets to reduce antimicrobial usage, as established by the 2023 Council Recommendation. [.]
In recent years, we have seen how the changing climate is also causing infectious diseases to spread more rapidly. With more variable weather patterns, there has been a rise in infectious and vector-borne diseases such as dengue, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, chikungunya, Zika and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. We monitor these developments and closely coordinate action with Member States. As part of this, we provide technical support to Member States to implement a One Health approach involving inter-sectoral collaboration, scientific guidance, data sharing and the joint use of our scientific agencies and the Climate and Health Observatory. On this World One Health Day, it is clear that an integrated approach across sectors to tackle the interdependence of human, animal, and plant health is more needed than ever, and we will continue implementing this vital approach across our policies.’
The full statement is online.
(For more information: Eva Hrncírová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
AI in Science Summit 2025 kicks off in Copenhagen
The AI in Science Summit 2025 (AIS25) opens today in Copenhagen. Co-organised by the European Commission and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the summit will launch some of the key initiatives under Europe’s AI in Science Strategy, which aims to speed up scientific discovery, reinforce Europe’s research ecosystem, and build strong partnerships between science and industry.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, and Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, will open AIS25 and later officially launch the Resource for AI in Science in Europe (RAISE), outlining Europe’s vision for innovation-driven AI in scientific research.
Over two days, participants will explore AI applications in life sciences, materials science, climate and planetary studies, and societal challenges.
The summit brings together policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry leaders. It highlights Europe’s approach to responsible and competitive AI in science, integrating advanced tools into research while ensuring ethical and secure deployment.
More information about the RAISE platform will be available later in our press release.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic – Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu to promote social fairness and quality jobs at UN World Social Summit in Qatar
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, is in Doha, Qatar, where she will lead the EU delegation at the World Social Summit from 4 to 6 November. The event brings together world leaders, social partners and civil society to renew global commitments to social progress, 30 years after the 1995 Copenhagen Summit, and to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Today, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu participates in the first leaders’ meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
Tomorrow, she will deliver a statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States in the context of the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration, a global call for action to fight poverty, promote quality jobs and strengthen social justice. She will also speak at a side event on ‘Foundations for the Future: Basic Education as a Pathway to Skills and Jobs.’
On Wednesday, the Executive Vice-President will co-chair a high-level roundtable on the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the upcoming 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. She will also participate in the Global Coalition for Social Justice and the Private Sector Forums. On Thursday, she will speak at a side event on universal social protection.
The full programme of the UN World Social Summit and media materials are available online.
(For more information: Eva Hrncírová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 460 76 57 13)
Commissioner Dombrovskis in Bulgaria for high-level discussions on Bulgaria’s path to the euro area
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, is in Sofia for a two-day visit focused on Bulgaria’s preparations to join the euro area.
Today, Commissioner Dombrovskis will deliver a speech at the University of National and World Economy, followed by a Q and A session with students.
Tomorrow, the Commissioner will take part in the high-level conference ‘Bulgaria on the Doorstep of the Eurozone’ joining Bulgarian and international leaders, including Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov, ECB President Christine Lagarde, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and the President of the Eurogroup and Ireland’s Minister of Finance Paschal Donohoe, for discussions on Bulgaria’s euro accession.
As part of the conference, Commissioner Dombrovskis will participate in a high-level roundtable together with Temenuzhka Petkova, Bulgaria’s Minister of Finance, Dimitar Radev, Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, and Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism. There, the Commissioner will discuss how the euro can strengthen Bulgaria’s resilience and competitiveness in the current geopolitical context. He will also discuss how Bulgaria’s entry into the euro area would reinforce the resilience of the euro area in the global economy and the international role of the euro. Additionally, the Commissioner will outline policy priorities for Bulgaria to thrive in the euro area in the years ahead, drawing from his experience in Latvia and more recent euro accessions.
On the same day, Commissioner Dombrovskis will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Jeliazkov and a working lunch with Minister Petkova. At around 11:15 CET (12:15 Sofia time), Commissioner Dombrovskis and Minister Petkova will participate in a joint press conference that will be livestreamed on EBS. Finally, the Commissioner will meet with the newly appointed Speaker of Parliament, Raya Nazaryan.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Francisca Marcal Santos – Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36)
Commissioner McGrath in China to discuss consumer protection, product safety and e-commerce
Today, Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, begins a five-day mission to China. The Commissioner will meet with Chinese officials and business representatives to discuss consumer protection and product safety, including the challenges brought by e-commerce to uphold these high standards.
Commissioner McGrath will meet with Luo Wen, Minister and Party Group Secretary of the State Administration for Market Regulation, Li Mingzheng, Vice-Minister and Member of the Leading Party Members Group of the Ministry of Justice and will engage with the General Administration of China Customs. Commissioner McGrath will also meet with the president of Temu to discuss matters related to product safety and consumer protection and will have several site visits to MINISO and BASF innovation centres in Guangzhou and Shanghai. Commissioner McGrath will also visit the customs facilities at the Shanghai Port and at Baiyun Airport, in Guangzhou. He will also deliver a speech at the closing event of the Safe non-food consumer Products in the EU and China (SPEAC) project, an initiative that helps Chinese businesses understand EU standards on product safety and consumer protection.
The mission is part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts outlined in the e-commerce communication, which highlights the need to pair consumer protection measures with effective dialogue with international partners and third countries. The communication sets out a comprehensive EU toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce, outlining solutions to address new challenges such as the General Product Safety Regulation