European Commission - Daily News Daily News 03 / 06 / 2026 Brussels, 3 June 2026 Eurobarometer shows continued public support for biodiversity protection across Europe Published at the start of the EU Green Week , the Special Eurobarometer survey on biodiversity shows continued support among Europeans for biodiversity and nature protection, despite economic and geopolitical challenges. Over 90% of all Europeans view ...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 03 / 06 / 2026 Brussels, 3 June 2026 Eurobarometer shows continued public support for biodiversity protection across Europe Published at the start of the EU Green Week , the Special Eurobarometer survey on biodiversity shows continued support among Europeans for biodiversity and nature protection, despite economic and geopolitical challenges. Over 90% of all Europeans view protecting biodiversity and nature as essential for health, food security, clean water, climate resilience, as well as for long-term economic prosperity. There is also broad support for EU legislation and action to protect biodiversity in their country. This survey was carried out as input for this year's Green Week, which will explore how investment in nature and healthy ecosystems can strengthen Europe's economy, security and resilience. Starting today, the EU's largest annual environmental conference will gather over 1,000 people in person with more joining online. Policymakers, industry, NGOs, stakeholders and citizens will come together to discuss and exchange on how restoring ecosystems can help Europe become more resilient and competitive while supporting innovation, investment and local jobs. Discussions will, for instance, focus on greening cities, financing tools such as nature credits, and regenerating soil. Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall , will open the high-level discussions, sharing her vision for building a resilient future for Europe by investing in ecosystems and nature. You can consult the agenda online. All sessions will also be livestreamed here . More information on the Eurobarometer survey on biodiversity is available in the press release online. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73) EU presents new €80 million fund for sustainable jobs and social impact in southern Mediterranean Today, the European Commission, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and KfW Development Bank are joining forces to boost sustainable jobs in the southern Mediterranean countries under the Social Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF), a flagship initiative of the Pact for the Mediterranean . Social entrepreneurship can help tackle youth unemployment, and gender inequality, while supporting the clean and digital transitions. Yet many social enterprises struggle to access traditional financing due to their dual focus on financial sustainability and social impact. The SEF's equity fund will help bridge this gap. This initiative falls under the second pillar of the Pact and marks a key step in its implementation by leveraging private sector innovation and investment to create jobs, develop skills, and accelerate the clean and digital transitions. It shows how the Pact is stepping up cooperation and economic ties while creating new opportunities between the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and beyond. With a total contribution of €80 million, SEF will support investment in SMEs and start-ups in social fields such as of education, climate and financial inclusion. The Fund is divided into two components: a €45 million equity fund, which becomes operational today, and a €35 million debt fund, together with a Technical Assistance Facility. This latter component is a long-standing EU programme that assists partner countries in improving regulatory frameworks, enhancing institutional capacities and mobilising investments. Together, these tools will provide targeted financing for small social enterprises and expert support to help create sustainable jobs in the southern Mediterranean countries. Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica said : "In the southern Mediterranean region, SMEs provide over 85% of employment, but struggle to access financing and investment. The European Union is committed to inclusive growth and job creation. The Social Entrepreneurship Fund will strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, while fostering long-term prosperity for a more resilient and equitable future in our region.”. More information is available online . (For more information: Guillaume Mercier - Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Luca Dilda - Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53) ANNOUNCEMENTS Executive Vice-President Ribera and Commissioner Jørgensen in Finland to discuss clean energy transition and housing affordability This week, both Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera and Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen are visiting Finland to discuss electrification, energy security, affordability and competitiveness. They will both participate in the Eurelectric Power Summit 2026 , which brings together policymakers and industry to discuss how electrification can strengthen energy security and industrial competitiveness. Executive Vice-President Ribera will exchange on stage with Finland's Minister of Climate and the Environment, Sari Multala, while Commissioner Jørgensen will deliver closing remarks. Accelerating electrification is instrumental to completing the shift to an energy system based on clean and homegrown energy and moving away from dependency on fossil fuels. As announced by President von der Leyen , the Commission is working on an Electrification Action Plan with an ambitious electrification target to put Europe on a steady pathway to energy independence. Executive Vice-President Ribera will meet with President of Finland, Alexander Stubb and have a meeting with Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, focusing on competitiveness. She will also visit a waste-to- energy project serving Helsinki and participate in a roundtable discussion with companies and regional stakeholders on clean transition investments and growth in the region. As part of her competition portfolio, she will also meet with the Director-General of the National Competition Authority and deliver a keynote speech at a competition seminar devoted to a new approach to competition policy. Commissioner Jørgensen will hold a meeting with Minister Multala. He will also meet the President of Eurelectric Markus Rauramo and visit a small nuclear power plant pilot factory, built inside a former coal-fired power plant, which is designed to reuse waste heat for district heating in the city of Helsinki. Finland also marks the fifth stop of the Commissioner's European Affordable Housing Tour, following Austria, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The Commissioner will visit the Helsinki City Housing project, HEKA, and meet with Mayor of Helsinki, Daniel Sazonov, to discuss local housing policy and solutions addressing housing supply affordability and homelessness. The Commission is advancing in its work on the Affordable Housing Act. Audiovisual coverage of the visits will be available on EBS . (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commissioner Kos visits Moldova to advance EU accession reforms and investments On Thursday and Friday, Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos , is in Moldova to support with the country on its path to joining the EU. She will notably discuss the progress Moldova has made on reforms and encourage further investments ahead of the second EU-Moldova Summit, which is due to take place on 22 June in Brussels. On Thursday, Commissioner Kos will meet with President Maia Sandu to discuss EU accession reforms, notably in the justice sector, as well as domestic developments and the regional security situation. A joint press conference will follow and will be broadcast live on EBS at 12:00 CEST. The Commissioner will also hold a working lunch with Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu and senior members of the government on the implementation of the Growth Plan for Moldova and the impact of external shocks stemming from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. On the same day, together with President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, Commissioner Kos will open the first EU-Moldova Investment Conference . This event will mark one year since the launch of the Growth Plan and will focus on investments contributing to reinforcing EU-Moldova supply chains and boosting the country's growth potential. In the evening, she will meet with civil society to discuss their role in shaping Moldova's EU accession process. On Friday, together with Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, Commissioner Kos will open the Moldova Digital Summit 2026 , focused on accelerating EU integration through innovation. The Commissioner will also meet Speaker of Parliament Igor Grosu, members of the Parliamentary Committee for EU Integration and opposition leaders to discuss reform momentum and inclusiveness across parliamentary factions. Finally, together with President Sandu, Commissioner Kos will meet with youth representatives from Member States and partner countries to exchange views on the state of democracy in Europe and how to improve its resilience in the face of external threats and challenges. She will also meet mayors from across Moldova to exchange views on local administration reform. Audiovisual material of the visit will be available on EBS . (For more information: Guillaume Mercier — Tel. + 32 2 298 05 64, Yuliya Matsyk – Tel. +32 2 296 27 16) APPOINTMENTS Commission appoints Jim Hagemann Snabe as Special Envoy for Industrial Artificial Intelligence The European Commission has decided today to appoint Jim Hagemann Snabe as Special Envoy for Industrial Artificial Intelligence. In this role, he will advise President Ursula von der Leyen , and the Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen on matters linked to industrial Artificial Intelligence, in order to maximise the transformative potential of AI across the EU. As part of this work, Mr Hagemann Snabe will deliver an evidence-based and forward-looking report on industrial AI. This decision will take effect immediately. With over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, board-level experience across artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and clean-tech, Mr Hagemann Snabe has a strong track record in driving innovation and digitalisation at the highest level, including steering strategic shifts that enhanced competitiveness while strengthening a more responsible role for business in society. His appointment as Special Envoy for Industrial AI is due to this exceptionally wide expertise and depth of experience, not immediately available to the same extent in the Commission. This combination of strategic leadership, industrial insight and technology expertise equips him well to support the EU's ambitions on the deployment and uptake of industrial artificial intelligence. Mr Hagemann Snabe, a Danish national, has previously worked in renowned technological companies and has been member of different international and financial Institutions. For more information on this appointment, please see our dedicated press release . (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25) Commission appoints a new Principal Adviser in its Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers The European Commission appointed today Bruno Gencarelli as Principal adviser for Strategies for the Development of Justice Policies within its Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST). This department promotes social justice by upholding the rule of law and protecting individual rights and freedoms. It develops and implements policies on Justice, Fundamental Rights, and Consumers, in line with the Commission's priorities. This decision takes effect on 1 July 2026. With over 25 years of professional experience, Mr Gencarelli has built a strong track record in shaping and delivering complex policy and legal files, ensuring the effective application of the EU acquis. He has developed specific expertise in international aspects of justice and consumer affairs, as well as in data protection and cross-border data flows, with a strong focus on emerging challenges linked to digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Mr Gencarelli is recognised for his rigorous legal analysis combined with sound political judgement, a skill that enables him to steer sensitive files in complex institutional settings. Over the years, he has also acquired substantial experience in inter-institutional and international relations, representing the Commission in high-level exchanges and negotiations. He brings proven leadership experience from senior management and advisory roles, as well as a strong legal background built in competition enforcement. Having operated successfully across legal, policy and managerial domains, he has the breadth of perspective required to support DG JUST in addressing both current priorities and emerging challenges. Bruno Gencarelli, an Italian national, most recently served as Member of Cabinet to former Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders. Prior to this, he was Head of Unit responsible for International Affairs and Data Flows in DG JUST. He previously headed the Data Protection Unit and subsequently the International Data Flows and Protection Unit within the same Directorate-General. Earlier in his career, Mr Gencarelli served in the European Commission's Legal Service, where he worked on competition matters, and as a Legal Secretary in the First Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Before joining the European Commission in 2002, he practised law in a firm specialising in EU affairs. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25) Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings Note that these items can be subject to changes. Upcoming events of the European Commission Eurostat press releases Calendar items of the President and Commissioners Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners MEX/26/1246
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