Building tomorrowโs workforce at the 2025 EU Social Forum
To build a competitive Europe and ensure no one is left behind, people must learn the right skills โ which, in turn, will drive greater social cohesion, well-being and prosperity for all.
Skills
The vicious rivalries tearing apart Pete Hegsethโs Pentagon
A feud between the secretaryโs advisers and his chief of staff created backbiting and distrust that has erupted into the open.
City climate action is a path to economic transformation
Europeโs climate and industrial policies are inextricably linked โ cities are at the heart of bothย
Thousands of British oil workers are set to lose their jobs.ย No one has told them.
Government advisers north and south of the border worry workers are being failed by shifting policies and poor communication.
We started checking Russian shadow vessel insurance. Now what?
As these rules-busting, dangerous ships keep sailing our waters, posing enormous risks to other vessels and the environment, it’s time to focus on finding the shady operators behind them.
Leading in an age of disruption: Why policy professionals must adapt
A new global landscape needs leaders who readily embrace change and lead with vision โ the kind of leaders that the European University Institute is nurturing at its new blended program in Florence.
Labourโs goal to get kids โschool readyโ needs a shared script
Disconnection on skills required to start Reception class is impacting learning as family support squeezed
Europe prepares AI charm offensive as industry trembles from tariff shocks
Draft strategy shows EU wants to woo tech leaders with computing, data, skills โ and simpler rules โ to run AI.
Trump says US starting direct talks with Iran
U.S. and Israel insist Tehran canโt obtain nuclear weapons.
From seed to shelf: AIโs transformative potential for Europeโs growth โ starting with food
AI might not be a silver bullet to all the challenges we face, but itโs a golden opportunity to shape an efficient, innovative and empowered food system thatโs fit for the future.
India could help save an aging Europe
As the continent tilts to the right and its politicians find it hard to explain an influx of refugees from war-torn countries, India is actively trying to present itself as a reasonable partner.
Can Keir Starmer bring down bills before bills bring him down?
Downing Street is worried about rising energy bills. Every option for bringing them under control could bring political pain.
Mark Burnett: from Trumpโs โApprenticeโ boss to โhigh-poweredโ British fixer
One of the U.S. president’s most trusted lieutenants is doing his bidding in London โ and British officials see someone they can do business with.
Finlandโs Stubb boosts Trump ties over golf
The two presidents discussed Ukraine and icebreakers in Florida.
Poland gears up for war
Warsaw is already spending big on defense. Now it needs the manpower.
Threatย of war and disease means Europeans need 3 daysโ supplies, Commission to warn
โEurope cannot afford to remain reactive,โ the European Commission will warn in strategy to be unveiled on Wednesday.
AI saves mankind and other stories definitely not brought to you by robots
If thereโs ever a good time to explore dangerous, innovative tools whose impacts on society and humanity as we know it we still donโt really understand, thatโs definitely now.
The EU Directive on Women on Corporate Boards: Steering Out of the Limitations and Leveraging Opportunities
Dr Joy A. Debski, Lecturer in Law, School of Law and Social Sciences, Robert
Gordon University
Photo credit: Andrรฉ Corboz, via Wikimedia
Commons
Synoptic Data Inquiry and
Understanding the Directive
Although women
constitute about 51%…
Tony Blairโs right-hand man goes into battle for Ukraine
Jonathan Powell played a crucial role in securing peace in Northern Ireland โ and his much-hyped skills as a negotiator are being put to the test again.
Building a skilled Europe, balancing competitiveness and fairness [Advocacy Lab Content]
This special report explores the ‘Union of Skills’, the challenges and opportunities of strengthening Europeโs competitiveness while maintaining social fairness.
Competitive workforce needed, but EU failing with critical skills, says Mรฎnzatu ย [Advocacy Lab Content]
One in three EU teenagers is failing in basic math, and 25%, are failing in science. Europe is facing a ‘declining pathway’ in basic skills.
Why sh*t gets real for Keir Starmer in June
A flurry of crucial policy reviews on areas that could define the U.K. prime minister’s government are coming due. POLITICO has you covered.
Europe cracks down on migration. The far right is cheering.
The EUโs new plan gets tough on deportations to outflank the continentโs surging populists. Instead, it might just be fueling their narrative.
When the horror stops, the key to peace in Gaza and Ukraine will be how power is shared | Simon Jenkins
Constitution-building offers no headlines โ but what it can do, history tells us, is stop hundreds of thousands of people dyingSyria is reportedly sliding back towards civil war, as its various factions demand devolved authority. It is at root the same…
Europe’s workforce challenge: Commission launches plan to bridge skills gap
The Union of Skills focuses on strengthening education, upskilling, internal labour mobility and attracting foreign talent.
Cutting FE college funding is not how you tackle the skills shortage
Also in this weekโs newsletter, a glimmer of hope for the higher education sector
The Union of Skills is Born: From First Steps to Great Strides
Labour shortages in Europe are worsening. The European Commission’s “Union of Skills” proposal is a good start, but innovative solutions are needed. The private employment services sector emphasizes the importance of skilling and advocates for collabor…
Our obsession with technology is failing our children
Prioritizing childrenโs resilience amid this tech revolution isnโt just a moral imperative โ itโs essential for the future of our societies.
Trump wants a trade deal with Britain โvery soonโ
US president tells POLITICO: “I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn’t be necessary.”
โSkilled workers wantedโ: The EUโs defence industry struggles to find the right talent
The EU defence sector is increasingly struggling with finding workers with the skills needed to match the sector needs, industry representatives say โ Why? What profiles are they looking for and what is the bloc doing to address the gaps?
Macron meets Trump, Europeans head to Kyiv in two-pronged effort to save Ukraine
European leaders hope to reverse Trumpโs retreat from Europe and Ukraineโs dire prospects.
AI Literacy Under the AI Act: An Assessment of its Scope
Tiago Sรฉrgio Cabral*** PhD Candidate at the
University of Minho | Researcher at JusGov | Project Expert for the Portuguese
team in the “European Network on Digitalization and E-governance”
(ENDE). Authorโs opinions are his own.Photo credit:…
MAGA takes aim at the Republican hawks
Trump loyalists are sending a message to the GOPโs foreign policy traditionalists.
Ukrainian hopes fading as Trump and Putin embrace
Zelenskyy has tested a variety of tactics to try and manage the U.S. president โ but nothing seems to be working.
EU pushes โBuy Europeanโ quotas in major plan to revive industry
A draft of the Clean Industrial Deal obtained by POLITICO reveals EU plans to drive climate-friendly manufacturing.
Legislating workplace AI remains on Commissionโs radar
Commission does not exclude AI in the workplace legislation with humans at the centre.
Germanyโs labor market โ long the envy of Europe โ is losing its shine
For the first time in a decade, the number of unemployed is closing in on 3 million โ and there’s more to come.
Student story: Learning the skills to rebuild after war
Ukrainian refugee Kateryna Halkina hopes lessons from UK MBA will help with postwar recovery
New Geo-Political Challenges and the Past and Future of EU-Greenland Relations
Ulla Neergaard, Professor of EU Law, University of Copenhagen
Photo credit: Gordon Leggett, via Wikimedia Commons
*This contribution draws upon Ulla
Neergaardโs forthcoming work, โโEurarcticโ: Colonialism and EU-Greenland…
AI recruitment: Which industries trust it the most and the least?
Most job-seekers are open to the use of AI, but are concerned it won’t judge their skills fairly.
Time to sign?
SNEAK PEEK โ JD Vance lands in Paris as the U.K. tries to get on message.ย โย Peter Kyle says an AI bill will avoid upsetting voluntary agreement with AI labs. โย The U.K.โs own mini-summit kicks off in London. Good morning and happy Tuesday, This is Tom, coming to you from a cold press room in [โฆ]
Virkkunen stands firm on American pushback against EU tech laws
SNEAK PEEK โ The EU plans to raise the American pushback against tech law with the U.S., said tech boss Henna Virkkunen. She also promised a more โinnovation-friendlyโ AI regulatory framework. โ Rolling out AI should mean talking to workers and helping them gain new skills, said EESC president Oliver Rรถpke. Failing to get it [โฆ]
Macron picks close ally to lead court that could decide Le Penโs fate
Richard Ferrand’s appointment drew criticism even before being made official.
Britain ditches AI declaration, pitches for cash
SNEAK PEEK โ As the AI Action Summit kicks off, the U.K. is tempted against signing its main declaration. โ Peter Kyle takes his investment pitch to Paris. โ Back at home, thereโs a backlash against the Home Office over encryption. Good Monday morning, This is Tom in Paris. You can get in touch with [โฆ]
Former Tory MP signs up to serve in Ukraineโs army
Former Conservative deputy chair Jack Lopresti is now based in Kyiv helping with weapons procurement.
Ribera defends green growth quest, simplification goals
“I think we are doing something that nobody has done before. Nobody has been able to achieve a different pattern of development and prosperity, and we know that we need to invest a lot in this because what it is at risk is terrifying.”
The post Ribera …
Restaurant review: Refoodgees at Villa Empain
Immerse yourself in modern art while experiencing savory Syrian cuisine.
Germanyโs far right crashes through the firewall
Did Friedrich Merz, the likely next chancellor, fall into a trap? Or is he forcing other mainstream parties to confront what many regard as the new reality โ a harder, less welcoming Germany?
Von der Leyenโs bid to boost business relies on government helpย
The European Commission lays out its policy plans for the next five years to help turn the continent’s economy around.
EUโs Clean Industrial Deal to cover six themes from energy prices to trade
The contours of a mammoth industrial decarbonization strategy are taking shape ahead of its Feb. 26 unveiling.
Stop working for Russia, Britain tells its private spies
Security industry guns-for-hire are warned they could face jail time if they work for hostile states โ even accidentally.
Trump closes first day with an avalanche of executive orders
President Donald Trump bolted into his first day in office with an unprecedented show of executive force โ signing orders intended to end the right to citizenship by birth, force federal workers back to the office and grant Tik Tok a reprieve from a forced shutdown โ as he showcased his desire to circumvent Congress [โฆ]
The fight to replace Justin Trudeau is on
Mark Carney has run two central banks and championed the green transition. Now he wants to lead Canadaโs Liberal Party.
PMQs: Badenoch misses an open goal as Starmer gets lucky
Strong, specific questions from the Tory leader soon gave way to a scatter-shot approach.
50 years supporting better policies for a strong social Europe
By providing specialized data and research, Eurofound has long contributed to a stronger, fairer Europe โ in todayโs climate, its mission has never been more essential
Rosita Missoni obituary
Co-founder of the eponymous Italian fashion label celebrated for its colourful textiles and zigzag knitwearRosita Missoni, who has died aged 93, came out of the historic heartland of Italian textiles in northern Lombardy, and though she travelled world…
Westminsterโs tips for a perfect Christmas lunch
Before you face the biggest feast of the year, check out how U.K. politicians prepare for the big day.
Who is Peter Mandelson, Britainโs โprince of darknessโ US ambassador pick?
He’s an anti-Brexit advocate for closer China ties โ but could Peter Mandelson charm Trumpworld?
Europeโs economic apocalypse
Stagnation, flagging competitiveness, Donald Trump โ the continent is facing “an existential challenge.”
Europe faces worrying skills shortages, says EU Commission
Labour gaps are especially acute in STEM sectors as well as in construction, transport, healthcare, and education, the Commission said.
The post Europe faces worrying skills shortages, says EU Commission appeared first on Euractiv.
The Roma workforce: Solving Europeโs employment crisisย
Europe faces a looming worker shortage. Investing in the Roma community should be part of the solution.
Which Europeans have better skills in literacy, math and problem-solving?
Which Europeans have better skills in literacy, math and problem-solving?
Europeโs Competitive Future: Innovation, Investment, and Empowerment [Promoted content]
The key to unlocking Europeโs potential lies in harnessing new technology to revitalise the economy, and in empowering citizens and SMEs.
The post Europe’s Competitive Future: Innovation, Investment, and Empowerment appeared first on Euractiv.
Europeโs AI competitiveness hinges on skills
The rapid rise of AI presents an opportunity to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, but only if leaders act now to close persistent skills gaps in the workforce.
Has Syrian rebel leader al-Golani really shaken off his al Qaeda past?
The leopard claims he has changed his spots, but will he bring stability to the devastated nation?
Mark Rutte
Dreamer No. 1 โ Germany
So This Is Christmas review โ most wonderful time of the year in a small Irish town
This quietly compelling documentary tells the stories of a select group of people as they cope with Christmas with hardship and humourA modest film with modest ambitions, this is a documentary that paints a portrait of a small Irish town at Christmas, …
Commission plays careers counsellor for defence industry staff
The EU’s plans to ramp up defence production require the sector to become “a more attractive employer”, the Commission says.
The post Commission plays careers counsellor for defence industry staff appeared first on Euractiv.
Europeโs next top diplomat is ready to be undiplomatic
Will Kaja Kallas be able to make her voice heard?
Ten days in Syria that shook the Middle East
Was the astonishing implosion of Bashar Assadโs regime exclusively the result of its rottenness or did elements inside his government coordinate with rebels?
How Trumpโs transition could end up hamstringing his agenda
The president-electโs advisers havenโt yet begun meeting with federal agencies, despite signing an agreement late last month allowing them to do so.
Christmasโ most endangered species: The Gรคvle goat
All cultures have their quirky Christmas traditions, but no one builds Yule goats to celebrate the holidays like the Swedish.
Resetting Europeโs Innovation Compass
Europeโs pharmaceutical sector has grown slowly for 25 years and its share of research is shrinking. Itโs time to turn things around
Barnier โmethodโ at risk in raucous French parliament
Premierโs diplomatic skills run out of rope with far-right opposition
EU has high hopes for the โanti-Michelโ
Antรณnio Costa becomes the new European Council president at a crunch moment for the bloc.
7 reasons why Romanian voters are hacked off โ by the numbers
From poverty to emigration and corruption, here are some the issues at the top of Romanian voters’ minds โ and politicians’ programs.
The paradox of Italyโs industrial strategy
For all the talk of revitalizing and greening Europe, company owners in Italy are being allowed to relocate their businesses abroad rather than modernize and adjust at home.
Macron to visit Notre Dame Cathedral before reopening after 2019 fire
French president to give โrepublican and secularโ speech outside monument days before it reopens to publicAs firefighters doused the embers of the blaze that threatened to destroy Notre Dame Cathedral on 16 April 2019, Emmanuel Macron promised the chur…
5 things to know about EU tech security chief Henna Virkkunenโs hearing
Elon Musk and Europe’s tech gaps show the Finnish nominee has a major task at hand.
5 things to know about EU industry chief Stรฉphane Sรฉjournรฉโs hearing
Sรฉjournรฉ will have a busy first few months as VP for industrial policy if his promises in the hearing are anything to go by. Plus, POLITICO unravels the secrets of the mystery bag.
EU lawmakers press Romaniaโs Mรฎnzatu on family home
โWe had a leaky roof. We didn’t have hot water,โ said Mรฎnzatu, rejecting claims it was a “historic monument.”
Press release – Hearing of Vice-President-designate Roxana Mรฎnzatu
The members of two committees questioned Roxana Mรฎnzatu, Romanian candidate for Vice-President for the People, Skills and Preparedness portfolio on Tuesday afternoon.Committee on Culture and EducationCommittee on Employment and Social Affairs Source : …
The Guardian view on Ukraine after Trumpโs victory: bracing for what lies ahead | Editorial
The former presidentโs closeness to Vladimir Putin and isolationism bode ill for Kyiv. Accelerating US support is essentialEven Volodymyr Zelenskyyโs extraordinary communication skills were stretched as he rushed to congratulate Donald Trump on the vic…
Who might make up Trumpโs Cabinet
Donald Trump didnโt engage in formal conversations about a potential Cabinet in the run-up to his election. But that didnโt stop him from spitballing potential contenders during his frequent plane rides to campaign events, or when he is impressed by one of his allies on television. โHe would be great at this,โ or โShe would [โฆ]
Czechiaโs commissioner hearing: Jozef Sรญkela on international partnerships โ live updates
The ex-banker and industry minister would get to play with the โฌ300 billion budget for the Global Gateway infrastructure initiative.
ยญWho aced (and flunked) the commissioner hearings? Hereโs what our insiders have to say.
Our team of policy reporters dissect what you need to know about Brussels’ biggest event of the year.
Luxembourgโs commissioner hearing: Christophe Hansen in hot seat for EU agriculture job โ live updates
The affable farmerโs son will need all his people skills to deliver a 100-day โvisionโ for the future of EU agriculture.
To Ursula, with love: Paris sends Brussels the anti-Breton
Franceโs incoming commissioner is a Macron loyalist who prefers backroom dealing to attention-grabbing stunts.
Women at war: How Ukraineโs arms industry is replacing missing men
With so many men in uniform, Ukrainian women are helping keep weapons production going.
Sexual assault allegations leave Spanish left-wing coalition partner reeling
รรฑigo Errejรณn resigned and his former chief of staff was expelled in a snowballing scandal.
The king and Keir
Two men, worlds apart, are Britain’s diplomatic double act in Samoa. But there’s more to connect Keir Starmer and King Charles III than meets the eye.
Non-formal learning activities enrich childrenโs lives | Letter
Irelandโs transition year shows us that going off-curriculum can bring significant advantages, says Ruth MarvelEnrichment activities are often seen as the poorer cousin to core academic subjects โ but we know that they can have a powerful influence on …
Who could be in Trumpโs next Cabinet? Here are leading contenders.
Former President Donald Trump, who is in the throes of a tight campaign, has not engaged in formal conversations about a potential Cabinet. But that hasnโt stopped him from spitballing potential contenders during his frequent plane rides to campaign events, or when he is impressed by one of his allies on television. โHe would be [โฆ]
Mrs. von der Leyen, headteacher of a school in special measures
Wait, I thought. Am I back at school?
Bart De Wever: The man who wants to destroy Belgium reluctantly heads toward running it
How do you rule a country that you’ve spent your life trying to split up?ย
UK leans against proscribing Iranโs Revolutionary Guards
London is reluctant to cut ties with Tehran “at a time when Iran is causing such danger in the world.”
Green Skills for All: Embedding Sustainability Across Businesses [Promoted content]
The EU policy agenda is increasingly focusing on ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the EU. As such, addressing the current green and digital skills gap is becoming a priority, as highlighted in the Draghiโs report. Businesses are pivotal in thi…
Budget will be key to Barnierโs survival
The French prime minister understands the scale of the emergency heโs been confronted with โ and that it will determine the fate of his minority government.
PMQs: Keir Starmer wins despite all the drama
The PM was probed on his economic promises โ and managed to largely escape unscathed.
Keir Starmerโs reset shows his premiership is already in crisis
Less than 100 days after taking office, the prime minister has already been forced to shake up his team.