European Commission - Daily News Daily News 28 / 10 / 2026 Brussels, 28 October 2026 New Eurobarometer survey shows young people's growing engagement and views on participatory democracy, youth issues, and EU's added value in their lives Today, the European Commission published a Eurobarometer survey showing young Europeans' growing engagement with and views on democracy. The survey also shows their perceptions of ke...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 28 / 10 / 2026 Brussels, 28 October 2026 New Eurobarometer survey shows young people's growing engagement and views on participatory democracy, youth issues, and EU's added value in their lives Today, the European Commission published a Eurobarometer survey showing young Europeans' growing engagement with and views on democracy. The survey also shows their perceptions of key concerns facing young people, such as employment and the cost of living, as well as the EU's impact on their daily lives, youth policies, and intergenerational fairness. These findings come as preparations are underway for the EU Youth Strategy post 2027. The survey, targeted ages between 15 and 30 years old, shows growing engagement among young people. 75% of young people have participated in the activities of one or more organisations in the last 12 months, compared to 64% in 2024. These activities are most often organised by a sports club (26%) or a youth club or youth organisation (20%). The majority (55%) of young people surveyed indicate that they took part in at least one initiative to bring about societal change in the past year, up from 48% in 2024. A large number of young Europeans – 60% (17 percentage points more than in a similar 2024 poll) - say they have participated in activities in another EU country , such as studying, cultural and sports exchanges, and volunteering. The survey is being published as part of the Commission's ‘Protect What Matters - Our Democracy' campaign, which encourages citizens to take an active role in shaping EU democracy. A dedicated European Citizens' Panel , with one third of people between 16 and 29, is preparing recommendations on fostering democratic resilience in Europe. More information is available to the press release . (For more information: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) European Union launches Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity at COP17 Yesterday, during COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall , launched the Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity , on behalf of the EU, reaffirming the Commission's commitment to financing biodiversity. The Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity initiative is an informal, inclusive, government-led platform designed to build international support for nature credits and strengthen cooperation on biodiversity finance. It will support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework . The initiative already includes France and Peru, who co-hosted the launching event at COP17, but also Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Australia, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan and New Zealand. The initiative is also open to relevant international organisations. Some of those already joined the initiative, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation in Europe, International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits, the Biodiversity Credit Alliance and the International Environmental Guardianship. Nature credits are innovative financing instruments designed to attract investment in protecting, restoring and maintaining nature, while rewarding those who undertake these activities. By making nature-positive actions more visible, credible and investable, they can help mobilise private finance for nature. The EU Roadmap towards Nature Credits , adopted in July 2025, sets out how to develop and test reliable nature credits through research, pilot projects, consultation with stakeholders and practical testing. Yesterday, during COP17, Commissioner Roswall and Inger Andersen, Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme also signed a new Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming their commitment to global environmental action and multilateralism. You can find more information on the launch of the Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity and the new Amendment to the MoU between the Commission and UNEP online. And you can follow today's press conference by Commissioner Roswall and Christopher O'Sullivan, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, at 14:30 CET on EBS . (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73; Anni Juusola - Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86) Three years on, EU Demography Toolbox continues helping EU Member States respond to demographic trends Three years after its adoption, the EU Demography Toolbox is helping Member States respond to demographic change. Of its 30 key actions, 15 have been completed and the remaining 15 are underway or always open, supporting people across generations and regions. The Demography Toolbox is a policy package launched by the European Commission in October 2023 to help Member States manage demographic trends – such as aging populations, shrinking workforces, and low birth rates – while maintaining economic competitiveness. The measures in the Toolbox are specifically designed to support families, create opportunities for young people, and empower older generations. Progress includes the adoption of the EU Talent Pool to help address labour shortages, as well as measures in all Member States to improve access to affordable, high-quality long-term care. Alongside the key actions, EU support is also helping translate policy into action: €10.3 million is funding 15 projects across 11 Member States, while another 17 projects are promoting better ways to balance work, family life and caring responsibilities. The Talent Booster Mechanism is currently supporting 21 regions in attracting and retaining talent. Under Horizon Europe , €135 million has been invested in research addressing demographic change, skills shortages and migration. Other ongoing projects are either nearing completion, such as the Atlas for Demography, which will be launched soon, or are ongoing by nature, such as regular dialogue and exchanges with Member States on all dimensions of demography. Commissioner for the Mediterranean, also responsible for Demography, Dubravka Šuica , said: “Demographic trends are shaping Europe's future. Our response must help people build a family, find opportunities where they live and remain active as they grow older. Three years on, the Demography Toolbox is turning our commitments into concrete support for Member States. Looking ahead, we will build on this progress with new initiatives, such as the European Care Deal, the Right to Stay and a Demography Forum. Our goal: a Europe where every generation can thrive and no region is left behind.” More information is available online and in the factsheet . (For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Luca Dilda – Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53) Commission approves two new geographical indications from Hungary and Slovakia The European Commission has approved the registration of Sümeg / Sümegi from Hungary and Cigeľska prirodna mineralna voda from Slovakia as Protected Designations of Origin (PDO). Sümeg / Sümegi is a wine originating from the Hungarian municipalities of Csabrendek, Sümeg and Sümegprága. Its white wines are characterised by predominantly citrus notes, while the rosé and red wines display fruity aromas of raspberry and blackberry. Their production follows specific oenological practices covering every stage, from harvesting to maceration and ageing. Cultivation requires specialist knowledge, and harvesting must be carried out by hand. The wines also have pronounced mineral notes, attributed to the area's marine limestone bedrock. Cigeľska prirodna mineralna voda is a natural mineral water sourced from northern Slovakia, near the border with Poland. The soil and climate conditions specific to that area contribute to the high overall mineral content of the water and its salty taste. Owing to its mineral composition, the water is also sold in pharmacies and health shops. Bottling is believed to have begun around 1940, when demand for this water was high, both in Slovakia and abroad. This new designation joins the more than 3,900 protected names already listed in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available on the Quality Policy pages. (For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS President von der Leyen travels to Montreal for EU-Canada Summit President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen will be in Montreal on 29 and 30 October for the EU-Canada Summit, together with President of the European Council, António Costa and High Representative/Vice-President, Kaja Kallas . The Summit is hosted by the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney. Europe's partnership with Canada has never been stronger. It is built on trust, shared values and a common vision of how to respond to major geopolitical challenges. And it is reinforced by a decade of thriving trade thanks to CETA. Both partners now want to deepen their relationship, as indicated by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union Address last month. Nine other members of the College of Commissioners will participate in the Summit: Executive Vice- Presidents Teresa Ribera , Henna Virkkunen, Stéphane Séjourné, Roxana Mînzatu and Commissioners Maroš Šefčovič , Andrius Kubilius , Maria Luís Albuquerque , Jessika Roswall and Glenn Micallef . They will engage with their respective Canadian counterparts on how to deliver tangible benefits for citizens in their areas of responsibility. On 29 October, President von der Leyen will kick off the visit with a speech on EU-Canada relations at an event hosted the C.D. Howe Institute, which will be broadcast on the European Broadcasting Service ( EBS ) around 10:00 EDT (15:00 CET). In the afternoon, together with President Costa and Prime Minister Carney, President von der Leyen will participate in a business roundtable with European and Canadian business leaders. The day will end with an official dinner hosted by Prime Minister Carney. On 30 October, President von der Leyen will take part in a trilateral meeting with President Costa and Prime Minister Carney, while the other College Members will participate in three working sessions dedicated to digital, AI and culture; supply chain resilience across critical industries; and clean energy transition and environment. Later on, there will be a joint session including the leaders and the Members of the Commission and the Canadian government. A press conference by President von der Leyen , President Costa and Prime Minister Carney will follow, around 12:15 EDT (17:15 CET). You can follow it live on EBS . A joint statement will be published at the end of the Summit, together with updated factsheets on EU- Canada relations and on the key deliverables of the Summit. Throughout the Summit, besides their discussions with national authorities, the Commissioners will engage with industry, European and Canadian businesses, and civil society. You can follow the updates on the Commissioner's calendars online . (For more information: Paula Pinho – Tel.: +32 2 292 08 15; Arianna Podestà – Tel: +32 2 298 70 24) Executive Vice-President Fitto in Lithuania to discuss the future Cohesion Policy Today and tomorrow, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto will be in Vilnius, Lithuania, for meetings with national and regional leaders on the upcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the Council, regional development and cohesion policy. Executive Vice-President Fitto will hold bilateral meetings with Lithuania's Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Minister of Finance Taurimas Valys and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus. He will also meet Vilnius City Mayor Valdas Benkauskas and the Mayor of the Vilnius District Municipality Robert Dunchevič. Discussions will focus on the priorities of Lithuania's Presidency of the Council, including the negotiations on the future cohesion policy and preparations for Lithuania's National and Regional Partnership Plan . In particular, Executive Vice-President Fitto will exchange views with his interlocutors on how national, regional and local authorities, as well as other relevant partners, can be closely involved. Additionally, he will discuss the Commission's ongoing support for the Eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine , as well as concrete actions needed to address the specific challenges these regions face as a result of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Executive Vice-President Fitto will also travel to Lavoriškės to meet local partners and discuss the value of the forthcoming Right to Stay initiative for small towns and local communities. The initiative is due to be adopted by the Commission in early 2027. (For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel.: +32 229- 521176) Commissioner Serafin in Bulgaria for his ‘Tour d'Europe' [pending validation] As part of his ‘Tour d'Europe' to consult Member States on the next European long-term budget (MFF), Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin is in Bulgaria this week. This trip represents an opportunity to meet public authorities and beneficiaries of EU funding, and to witness firsthand how EU-supported initiatives are improving lives and contributing to regional development in the country. Tomorrow, the Commissioner will start his visit in Sofia. There, he will give the opening remarks at a conference titled ‘The Next Multiannual Financial Framework: Priorities and Principles ' . After this, Commissioner Serafin will meet with the Minister of Finance, Galab Donev, to exchange views on the 2028-2034 MFF. His first day in Sofia will end with a meeting with Prime Minister Rumen Radev, with whom he will discuss the MFF negotiations' timeline and the position of Bulgaria in this regard. On Friday, Commissioner Serafin will meet members of the National Association of the Municipalities, with whom he will exchange views on the regional aspect of the National and Regional Partnership plans in the next MFF. He will then visit the National STEM Centre in Sofia Tech Park, a central hub for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics managed by the Ministry of Education and Science, and co-funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan. This visit will be followed by a visit to the laboratory and mission control room of EnduroSat , a satellite manufacturer and space service provider beneficiary of EU funding through the European Innovation Council . On both of these visits, Commissioner Serafin will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov. More information on Commissioner Serafin ' s Tour d'Europe is available in its dedicated website . (For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25) Commissioner Zaharieva in Bulgaria to highlight the strategic importance of investing in European innovation On Thursday and Friday, Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva will be in Bulgaria for a high-level programme focusing on how innovation, technology and investment can strengthen Europe's global leadership. During her visit, the Commissioner will underline the need for Europe to support and retain its start-ups and scale-ups to stay competitive and lead globally. On Thursday, in Sofia, the Commissioner will meet Bulgaria's Minister of Education and Science, Georgi Valchev, for a bilateral discussion. She will also take part in a joint meeting of the parliamentary committees on European Affairs and Oversight of European Funds, and on Innovation and Digital Transformation. She will then join a panel discussion at Crossroads, Bulgaria's flagship startup and technology conference. The Commissioner will also speak at the European Innovation Council (EIC) Info Day, where she will highlight the EIC's role in helping turn cutting-edge research into investment-ready innovations and successful scale-ups. Later in the day, Commissioner Zaharieva will open the EURAXESS Biennial Conference with a keynote speech on its key role in Europe's talent strategy, followed by a fireside chat. On 30 October, the Commissioner will travel to Burgas to participate in a panel discussion at the conference Black Sea 2030: Security, Sustainability, Innovation . She will stress the strategic importance of research and innovation for Europe's security and long-term resilience. Bulgaria has made strong progress in recent years, demonstrating its capacity to further improve its research and innovation system. Under Horizon Europe (2021-2027), the EU flagship research programme, Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises have secured a total EU support of €71.6 million so far, compared to €40.2 million under Horizon 2020 (2014-2020). (For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel.: +32 229- 521176) 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/26/2277 <@rel_link@>
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