ECB supportive of banks’ European Payments Initiative Pan-European card and digital wallet to complete European retail payments market The European Central Bank (ECB) welcomes the decision by 16 European banks to launch the European Payments Initiative. This initiative aims to create a unified payment solution for consumers and merchants across Europe, encompassing a payment card and a digital wallet and covering in-store, online and person-to-person payments as well as cash withdrawals. In recent years, significant progress has been made towards...

The Commission is launching today the first call for proposals under the Innovation Fund , one of the world's largest programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies, financed by revenues from the auction of emission allowances from the EU's Emissions Trading System. The Innovation Fund will finance breakthrough technologies for renewable energy, energy-intensive industries, energy storage, and carbon capture, use and storage. It will provide a boost to the green recovery by creating local future-proof jobs, paving the way to...

The EUIPO begins its next strategic cycle with the launch of its Strategic Plan 2025 on 1 July 2020. After two rounds of consultation with stakeholders, the Strategic Plan was adopted by the Office’s Management Board in 2019, and begins its implementation period today. The Strategic Plan 2025 consists of projects and activities grouped under three strategic drivers, linked to an overarching vision of ‘delivering IP value for businesses and citizens in Europe.’ The first strategic driver centres on the Office’s cooperation activities both...

While the corona pandemic continues, Germany took over the six-month presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July. We asked German MEPs for their expectations. The coronavirus represents a significant challenge for the EU and immediate management of the pandemic and recovery are at the heart of the German programme for the presidency. The aim is to reach a swift agreement on the recovery fund and the EU's budget 2021-2027. Germany intends to make progress on climate protection, through the European Green Deal, and...

Today the Commission presents the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience. It sets ambitious, quantitative objectives for upskilling (improving existing skills) and reskilling (training in new skills) to be achieved within the next 5 years. Its 12 actions focus on skills for jobs by partnering up with Member States, companies and social partners to work together for change, by empowering people to embark on lifelong learning, and by using the EU budget as a catalyst...

Today the European Commission is taking action to give young people all possible opportunities to develop their full potential to shape the future of the EU, and thrive in the green and digital transitions. The coronavirus pandemic has emphasised the often difficult start many young people face in the labour market. We need to act fast. Now is the time to direct our attention towards the next generation. The Commission is using this opportunity to ingrain the green and digital...

Consumers across the EU are about to be granted broader opportunities for the collective defence of their rights. Member states’ ambassadors today approved a deal concluded between the Croatian presidency of the Council and the European Parliament on a draft directive on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers. The single market is not there solely to provide enhanced business opportunities to traders. It is also meant to provide consumers across the EU with added value...