Economy & Jobs
Mayor: Cities are the atoms in the organism of the EU
Mario Rajn, the mayor of Križevci, a medieval city of 20,000 people northeast of Croatia's capital is pushing for his city to become energy independent by 2030. He explains what actions have been taken so far.
Kenya’s WTO candidate says she will focus on climate change if selected
Kenya's candidate to become the next head of the World Trade Organisation pledged on Thursday to integrate climate change issues into the WTO agenda if selected.
Chinese business group reacts to EU plan against state-backed foreign buyers
The European Commission's plan to fence off the EU's industrial crown jewels from state-backed foreign buyers may breach WTO rules, lobbying group the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said in its feedback on the proposal.
Cambodia’s textile industry takes EU to court in bid to restore trade perks
Cambodia's garment manufacturers association has brought up a case against the European Commission at the EU court of justice following the withdrawal of duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market over the summer.
Will environmental failings bring down the EU-Mercosur deal?
It’s taken 20 years to build but Europe’s trade deal with the ‘Mercosur’ group of South American countries is looking increasingly like a rush job – with its environmental and social aspects the most shoddy, writes Amandine Van der Berghe....
UK unveils new German-style job subsidy scheme
Boris Johnson’s government unveiled on Thursday (24 September) a massive new financial support package for businesses and employees, modelled on Germany’s ‘Kurzarbeit’ scheme, as the UK economy braces for six months of hardship from the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
EU proposes first bloc-wide ‘passport’ for crypto-assets
The European Commission on Thursday (24 September) set out plans to create what its officials described as the world’s most comprehensive set of rules for crypto-assets and their underlying blockchain technology.
Chinese business wants less EU red tape
The Chinese business community in Europe would like to see less 'red tape' and regulatory barriers for its firms on the bloc, but is also open to the idea of offering further opportunities for EU business in China, says Zhou Lihong.
World solar technology summit: A blueprint for the energy intensive sector?
The world solar technology summit, which took place in India earlier this month, could in many ways be a model for the decarbonisation of the energy-intensive sector, which includes industries such as steel, cement, chemicals, non-ferrous metals and glass, writes Gauri Khandekar.
Europe’s military mobility, a game-changer for regional infrastructure projects?
Since the 1990s, European infrastructure has been developed purely for civilian purposes, but in recent years military aspects have gained in importance as they could fill funding gaps for dual-use infrastructure projects. Rail Baltica, a 870-kilometer-long high-speed rail line from...
Intelligent electricity through EU structural funds
Researchers in Bielefeld are working on an artificial intelligence that distributes electricity differently depending on weather conditions. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU considers allowing more state aid to boost green projects
European Union governments may be allowed to grant more state aid to projects that help the bloc achieve its climate goals, Europe’s antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said on Tuesday (22 September), calling such an incentive a “green bonus”.
Beyond potholes: Tailor-made solutions, structural support needed to transition
With an increasingly long to-do list and decreasing amount of time to complete the energy transition and hit the EU's climate targets, communities will need help and involvement from Brussels to meet their benchmarks, experts say.
Gender equality: How post-COVID economic recovery programmes took a step back
With domestic violence and health issues having affected French women more than men during the COVID-19 health crisis, the economic consequences of the pandemic have also impacted the country's employment sector and have widened the gender inequality gap. EURACTIV France reports.
Germany revives hopes for EU-Mercosur deal
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Monday (21 September) said he still believes ratification of an EU trade deal with South America is possible, despite European anger over deforestation in Brazil.OpinionPromoted content
Entrepreneurship to reinvent yourself
The situation caused by the coronavirus in Spain has especially affected NEETs, as the sectors in which these young people normally find their first job opportunity have visibly reduced their activity.
Lufthansa eyes more job cuts, as monthly losses top €500m
Lufthansa said Monday it will slash more jobs on top of 22,000 previously announced cuts and put more planes out of service with current losses running at some €500 million.
The road ahead: challenges and opportunities for Europe’s regions
This Special Report looks at challenges that lie ahead for the EU's cohesion policy, as the already vast to-do list for Europe's regional and local authorities keeps expanding with ambitious climate and digital transformation goals.
MEP Omarjee: Cohesion, not ‘renationalisation’, should guide Europe’s policies
Social and territorial cohesion among the EU's region's, as well as their convergence, must remain at the centre of Europe's recovery plans lest efforts to support investment and growth should lead to more regional divides, MEP Younous Omarjee told EURACTIV.
Spend it well – the EU’s €1.8 trillion problem
Europe has to rethink how it allocates resources to reach its climate targets, says Kirsten Dunlop. We need to change the way we do innovation, she argues.
Financial scandals harm Scholz’s image as he gears up for chancellor candidacy
Olaf Scholz, Germany's finance minister and chancellor candidate for the Social Democrats (SPD), is currently in the spotlight for his involvement in two financial scandals currently shaking German politics: the Wirecard and Cum-Ex scandals. EURACTIV Germany reports.OpinionPromoted content
How private employment services help make undeclared work a thing of the past
The World Employment Confederation-Europe supports the EU4FairWork campaign, raising awareness about the risks of undeclared work and promoting good practices to eliminate it. With a proven role in reducing undeclared work, agency work offers a clear pathway into better working conditions and employment.
France says opposes EU-Mercosur trade deal over deforestation concerns
France remains opposed to a free trade deal in its current proposed form between the EU and South American countries due to "major" concerns about deforestation in the region, the government said on Friday (18 September).