Glenn Micallef

Policy topics Glenn Micallef is active on

What Glenn Micallef has said (80)

• 2026-06-18 “Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission 18.6.2026 Written question The protection and restoration of cultural heritage remain a national responsibility. The Commission has no say on which sites are granted protected status by Member States, neither what sites are stripped from their protected status. Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union stipulates that EU action focuses on encouraging cooperation between Member States and supporting and supplementing their actions, with a view to conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage of European significance. The Commission has implemented various policies and programmes to support the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage in Europe. These include the designation of European Heritage Label sites, which are recognised for their symbolic value and role in European history; the European Heritage Days; and the annual European Heritage Awards. However, this does not in any way pre-empt the protection of cultural heritage at national level. In the context of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Commission encourages Member States and regions to ensure that restoration and preservation of cultural heritage is done in accordance with best practice, including the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) European quality principles for EU-funded interventions with potential impact on cultural heritage [1] . In line with the shared management approach, national and subnational authorities may decide to incorporate such guidance in the implementation of relevant ERDF support as outlined in the respective Cohesion Policy programmes. This cultural heritage project did not receive any ERDF financing. [1] https://publ.icomos.org/publicomos/jlbSai?html=Pag&page=Pml/Not&base=technica&ref=AB6E9D6130FB6ED4A9B386BA22DADF90.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2026-06-17 “Thank you, madam chair and and colleagues. And, genuinely, I want to thank you for this exchange. And as many of you have said, and I definitely agree, we do not have the luxury of time. We need to act fast because, literally, there are lives at risk in in this case. And after having heard the conversation that we've just had now, I have 3 reflections, 3 points to make. The 1st is that each of us, everyone, we all have responsibilities to shoulder. Tech public bodies like us, member states, local authorities, civil society, parents, educators, and even each of us on an individual level have responsibilities. And this will need a societal approach. The commission is shouldering its responsibility. The commission is doing its part. On the 1 hand, enforcing the rules and providing platforms with guidance as to what we expect on their part in terms of implementation. And in fact, right now, there is a public consultation on the new guidelines under article 28 of the Digital Services Act. And on there are a number of enforcement actions, which I mentioned in my earlier remarks, but the commission is also assessing the legislative gaps. And that is exactly what the special panel is doing right now, looking at addictive designs, looking at rabbit holes, looking at dark patterns, and looking at ages for access, which brings me to my 2nd point. Legislation alone will never be enough. With or without legislation, people will still go online. And taking people completely offline should never be our objective. So legislation must always be complemented with digital education, digital literacy. This is what we propose in the action plan on cyberbullying along with healthy alternatives to screen time, better cultural offers, theaters, libraries, festivals, and music halls, as well as better access to sports, sports facilities, and sports infrastructure. And this brings me to my final point. And, again, I always end my remarks on this topic in the same way, by asking for your help and by asking for your support, also to spread the message to anyone who feels that they need help navigating the Internet, who feels anxious or at risk, to not be afraid to speak up, to make them know that there is help, that there are safer Internet centers with their helplines in all member states there to provide support. And I conclude with a word of thanks to all those working to make the Internet safer, to you, to our services and the commission, to educators, to civil society, to trusted flaggers who work on a daily basis to tackle issues related to harmful and illegal content in the online world. Thank you.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• 2026-06-17 “Good morning, madam chair. Good morning, dear colleagues. For many young people, life is now increasingly lived online. In Europe, many adolescents today are struggling to control the time that they spend on social media. Excessive screen time and social media use are growing concerns, and they are 1 of the main reasons behind the youth mental health crisis that we face in Europe. Now we already have 1 of the world's most ambitious frameworks when it comes to protecting minors online. Let there be no doubt, we are enforcing the rules with rigor and with speed. The the backbone of these efforts remains the Digital Services Act, and the commission guidelines under this act on the protection of minors are a clear and ambitious benchmark, a benchmark of what we expect platforms to do. No longer can platforms purposefully design their interfaces to create addictions. Our preliminary findings against TikTok indicate this. Platforms that claim to be adult only are held to account when they allow access to children to age inappropriate content. And there are now preliminary findings against 4 large pornographic platforms. The Digital Services Act also allows us to take action when social media platforms turn a blind eye to minors 13 that are accessing their services. We have preliminarily found Meta in breach of the DSA. Of course, these platforms now have the opportunity and the right to defend themselves. But should the commission's views ultimately be confirmed, the commission may issue a noncompliance decision. At the same time, we must rely on solutions that are reliable, that are user friendly, and data preserving age verification solutions. Our blue blueprint for age verification is now complete. We are urging member states to swiftly implement it, and we have set a clear timeline to guarantee EU wide access to this by the end of 20 26. Now it's important that member states also follow this timeline. And this is just 1 part of a broader set of actions. Our better Internet for kids strategy delivers tangible support to protect and empower children online. Over 46,000,000 people across Europe received support through the safer Internet centers and the better Internet for kids portal. The EU action plan against cyberbullying addresses 1 of the most pervasive threats to young people's well-being online. It has actions on protection, prevention, support, and reporting. The audio visual media services directive is also a cornerstone of the EU audio visual media legislation. Under this law, platforms must provide EU content standards in their terms and conditions to protect minors, and they must take other appropriate measures such as age verification, parental controls, and content rating systems. Consumer law also protects minors in their quality as young consumers, And this is complemented by other EU rules, such as the AI act, the general data protection regulation, and others. Colleagues, the protection of minors in the online world is a priority for the commission and for myself personally. We must go further. We must look at all possible angles. The review of the AVMSD planned for later this year will look at the rules for protecting minors against harmful content. The upcoming digital furnace act will strengthen the protection of minors as young consumers online. And the special panel on child safety online is right now advising the president, president von der Lehm, on how we can best protect children in the online world. Here, we are also assessing if additional legislative measures are needed. In this context, experts from the fields of mental health, from computer science, from child's rights groups, as well as young people themselves, parents, and educators are meeting as we speak. In fact, they met yesterday. The co chairs will present the report and the recommendations in July. And these initiatives will provide an even stronger basis for determining our next steps to protect children in the online world. With this, I look forward to hearing your views.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• 2026-06-11 “Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission 11.6.2026 Written question The first meeting of the President’s Youth Advisory Board held on 3 December 2025 explored the impact of social media on young people. Board members and observers shared their views on online access, age verification, digital well-being and mental health as well as on opportunities provided by social media. The meeting provided an opportunity to bring directly a strong youth perspective in policymaking at the highest political level within the Commission . In preparation for this first meeting with the Commission President, the Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport organised an online meeting with the Board in November 2025 to hear their views on the topic and structure of the inaugural Board meeting. As a follow-up to the meeting, the Board was invited to draft a policy paper with recommendations in January 2026 for the Commission President’s consideration. This paper fed into the work of the special panel on child online safety launched in March 2026. The next meeting of the President’s Youth Advisory Board is foreseen during 2026. The topic of the meeting is still to be determined. The report of the first meeting of 3 December 2025 and the rules of procedure will be published in the register of expert groups [1] of the Commission ahead of the second Board meeting. The Board was set up as an Expert Group (group reference: E04004) by Commission Decision C(2025)3967 of 25 June 2025 [2] . [1] https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/home?lang=en. [2] Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupID=4004.”
  Focus of EU policy on education (shaping workers vs citizens)
• 2026-06-09 “Ladies and gentlemen, Dear friends, We often talk about the future as if it were waiting for us around the corner. But with this performance, it is like we just watched the future being rehearsed. Dancers, technology and audiences - together on one stage. A performance that raises the same questions facing Europe's cultural and creative sectors every day. How do we use technology without losing our humanity? How do we embrace innovation while protecting creativity? How do we ensure that new tools expand cultural expression? These are crucial questions. And they are precisely why I am with you today, to celebrate the work and outcomes of Creative FLIP. This project recognised early on that rapid technological change would require new skills, new partnerships and new approaches. Over the years, it has created spaces for experimentation, connected people, and focused on practical solutions. Such as with the Creatives Unite platform - a meeting place for thousands of creatives across Europe. And the Cross-Sectoral Pioneers programme, which helped make today's performance possible. I interpret these achievements as strong signals. That Europe's creative community is ready to evolve. To experiment. To collaborate. And to shape the future rather than react to it. That brings me to the two elements I want to focus on over the next few minutes: Direction. And delivery. On direction. Last year, we adopted the Culture Compass for Europe. In this period of rapid technological, environmental and geopolitical change, nobody can provide a detailed map of the future. But we can provide direction. A shared understanding of the values we want to fight for. And a shared commitment to the role that culture should play in our future. Europe's cultural and creative sectors are a powerhouse of innovation. They employ almost 8 million people and generate close to €200 billion in added value. Their contribution is cultural, social and economic. The Culture Compass recognises something that all of you in this room live every day: Culture is part of how Europe innovates. How Europe prospers. Culture is health and well-being. It is inclusion. How Europe understands itself – One performance, one artwork, one community at a time. So when public budgets are under strain, when some ask if we should continue to invest in culture, our answer should be firm. We need to double down on our commitment. And that is what we will do when we sign the Joint Declaration “Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe” soon. A declaration that is a promise. A commitment by the three institutions to support culture, together. A signal that culture is a priority. That artistic freedom is a guiding principle. That cultural diversity is a strength. That brings me to delivery. The signing of the declaration is not the end of a process. Nor is it the beginning of one. The work is already underway. The Culture Compass is already guiding our actions. The Declaration turns direction into commitment. And it creates a strong foundation for the next phase: implementation. A compass only matters if it helps people move forward. Good strategies matter. But people need to see the difference in their everyday lives. For an artist, that may mean being able to pay the rent. Or being acknowledged or recognised as such. For a young creator, it may mean access to new skills and opportunities. For a cultural organisation, it may mean finding the resources needed to innovate and grow. For audiences, it means access to diverse and vibrant cultural expression. This is the test we must apply to everything we do. Does it help culture thrive? Does it empower creators? Does it strengthen the cultural ecosystem? My hope is that the answer to these three questions will be a yes. This is why we are developing an AI strategy for the cultural and creative sectors. So that we discuss licensing, compensation, and what creators are owed. To support human creativity. And safeguard our cultural and linguistic diversity. It is why we are preparing an EU Artists' Charter. Because talent deserves fair working conditions. And it is why we will publish a State of Culture Report, including a focus on artistic freedom. Ladies and gentlemen, Implementation requires more than policies. All of you who have implemented projects know it requires three core elements: Dialogue, or communication. Knowledge, or information. And investment, or support. First, dialogue. The people living something are the ones best placed to help shape it. That is why I wanted to establish a structured dialogue with stakeholders. So that we shape key actions of the Culture Compass together. Second, knowledge. Decisions are based on information. To make informed decisions., we need to understand emerging trends. Which is why we need a European Cultural Data Hub to support the State of Culture Report. And finally, investment and support. Every euro invested in culture pays back twice: today and tomorrow. And every creative idea begins with imagination. But imagination alone does not finance a project. So funding remains essential. The Commission wants to double the current funding for culture. And we are exploring new ways to support culture beyond traditional grants. So that these sectors too can access the resources they need to take risks. To develop new ideas. And bring ambitious projects to life. Creative FLIP has helped initiate those conversations. Through its work on access to finance. Through the resources made available on Creatives Unite. And through efforts to equip cultural and creative professionals with practical knowledge and new opportunities. I am pleased today's event will discuss innovative financing for the sectors. Because these kinds of contributions will remain relevant long after the project comes to an end. Ladies and gentlemen, Earlier today, we saw the future being rehearsed. That is what artists do. They explore possibilities before the rest of us can see them. They challenge assumptions. And they help society imagine what comes next. Over the past years, Creative FLIP has done something similar. By helping Europe's cultural and creative sectors experiment, learn, collaborate and prepare for the future. The Culture Compass gives us direction. The Joint Declaration strengthens our collective commitment. Now we turn ambition into action, and commitment into results. So that our sectors have the support they need to thrive in the years ahead. And that is a future worth building together. Thank you.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2026-04-20 “E-000729/2026 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission condemns any form of violence, in sport or elsewhere. Under Article 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, the EU contributes to developing the European dimension in sport, including by protecting the physical and moral integrity of sportsmen and sportswomen, especially the youngest. On 5 March 2026 the Commission adopted a new EU Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 1 that prioritises ending gender-based violence. It strengthens actions in prevention, protection of victims, and prosecution of perpetrators. The Directive on Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence 2 provides a strong EU-wide legal framework to fight genderbased violence and protect victims, including in sport. The EU Work Plan for Sport 3 (20242027) calls for prevention of harassment, abuse and violence in sport. Measures under this Plan aim to help Member States make the sport environment safer. The High-Level Group on Gender Equality in Sport 4 developed recommendations addressed to the Commission, Member States, international, national and grassroots sport organisations on how to effectively fight gender-based violence. Sport governing bodies have autonomy to independently govern their sport and are responsible for standard setting within the bounds of EU law and in compliance with EU fundamental rights. The EU-Council of Europe joint project All in Plus 5 reported that the proportion of sport federations with policies in place to combat gender-based violence increased from 25% in 2019 to 39% in 2023. Erasmus+ projects address safeguarding standards, such as training for sport leaders, reporting and victim-support mechanisms and guidance for clubs and federations. An example is the SAFE HARBOUR 6 project, which aims to develop a European safeguarding response framework for sport organisations. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/1f5fa936-9fba-4435-93f532fa220bac82_en?filename=gender-equality-strategy-2026-2030.pdf. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj/eng. 3 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-9771-2024-INIT/en/pdf. 4 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/684ab3af-9f57-11ec-83e1-01aa75ed71a1. 5 https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/gender-equality-in-sport. 6 https://www.euoffice.eurolympic.org/safe-harbour/project/.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2026-03-26 “Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission 26.3.2026 Written question Member States are responsible for age verification and underage drinking laws, while Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps promote learning and resilience, and support youth organisations to help create safer spaces. Furthermore, in 2023, under the Internal Security Fund Protect call [1] , the Commission funded 13 projects worth EUR 30 million to strengthen security in public spaces such as shopping malls and entertainment venues. This initiative builds on previous funding, with EUR 22.7 million and EUR 17.8 million disbursed in 2020 and 2022 to projects ran by academia, public authorities and NGOs. On 1 April 2025, the Commission presented ProtectEU — the European Internal Security Strategy [2] , which sets out objectives and actions to ensure a safer and more secure Europe. The Commission will continue to explore security requirements for publicly accessible venues, supporting Member States, local authorities and private partners in their efforts. Furthermore, EU cultural and youth programmes train organisers and staff in enforcing the safety of public spaces. Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps support capacity-building initiatives, including youth worker mobility training to improve emergency response and strengthen young people’s safety and resilience. [1] https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/internal-security-fund_en. [2] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-presents-protecteu-internal-security-strategy-2025-04-01_en.”
  EU strategy for tourism development · EU and national cultural identities
• 2026-03-16 “Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission 16.3.2026 Written question The Commission’s Culture Compass for Europe [1] charts a new vision for vibrant, world-leading cultural and creative sectors and aims to make Europe the best place to be an artist. Thriving arts and culture spaces are vital for this vision to be achieved. The Compass recognises culture’s intrinsic value, as well as its societal, civic and economic value, and role as a fundamental public good. Cultural infrastructure must be available equitably across Member States and that investment in youth-led and community-owned creative spaces should be a major element in strategies to develop cultural infrastructure. Creative Europe’s added value lies in supporting project-based actions for collaboration between cultural organisations from different countries participating in the programme. The projects financed contribute to a thriving cultural sector, including community spaces . The Creative Europe — Culture strand of AgoraEU [2] , as proposed by the Commission in the context of the new Multiannual Financial Framework, will continue successful actions in this field. Other EU funding sources such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility or the cohesion policy funds, also provide scope for cultural infrastructure funding. The Compass also underlines the importance for artists and other workers in the creative sectors to have quality jobs, a viable career path and fair remuneration. The Commission will propose an EU Artists’ Charter to outline fundamental principles, guidance, and commitments for fair working conditions in the sectors. [1] https://culture.ec.europa.eu/document/a-culture-compass-for-europe. [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025PC0550&qid=1753799477044.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2026-03-16 “Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission 16.3.2026 Written question The EU action in the field of culture aims to encourage cooperation between Member States, and to support and supplement their actions, including on the conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage, in line with Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Management of cultural heritage remains primarily a national responsibility. In the 2021-2027 programming period, the restoration, preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage, including religious, is eligible for support under the European Regional Development Fund. The Fund has already supported religious heritage restoration projects, when linked with local development, social cohesion or the attractiveness of rural areas. The responsibility for the selection of operations lies with the managing authorities, such as the Regional Councils in the case of France. The Commission's proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 is built on an integrated and flexible delivery model centred on national and regional partnership plans, where Member States and regions have greater flexibility in allocating resources to address local development needs, including religious heritage.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2026-02-11 “E-003801/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Since 2014, over 72 000 organisations participated in projects that addressed, as one of their objectives, the Erasmus+ programme priority ‘Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement’. Organisations from more than 122 countries have participated in these projects. The large majority of these projects fostered learning mobility of individuals and cooperation among organisations and institutions in all EU Members States and six countries associated to the programme. The programme continues to play an essential role in raising awareness of shared EU values and has had a positive impact in supporting participation in democratic life and civic engagement. Stakeholder feedback was positive on programme's role in promoting democratic values: 88% of respondents to the public consultation agreed that the programme performed well in promoting common EU values and strengthened European identity, and 75% confirmed the programme’s performance regarding fostering active citizenship and participation in democratic life 1 . The general objective of the Erasmus+ programme, set in Article 3 of its Regulation 2 , includes strengthening European identity and active citizenship. While the concept of European identity is complex and shaped by many factors 3 , it is often understood as a sense of belonging, rooted in shared values, history, and ongoing cultural and political dialogue, while complementing local, regional, and national identities. 1 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/resources-and-tools/data-evaluations-statistics/evaluation. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/817/oj/eng. 3 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/585921/IPOL_STU(2017)585921_EN.pdf.”
  EU engagement with citizens · EU engagement with youth
• 2026-01-27 “E-004098/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is deeply committed to promoting equality and preventing all forms of antisemitism, racism and discrimination. The Commission will continue to ensure that projects supported through Creative Europe promote equality, inclusion and mutual respect among people and cultures. Grant agreements signed under the Creative Europe programme include clear obligations for beneficiaries to comply with EU law, uphold the principles of transparency, equal treatment and sound financial management, and respect values and fundamental rights enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which include the principle of non-discrimination to ensure that EU financial support is not used in a way that would undermine them. Following established procedures, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) will assess whether these organisations’ actions are consistent with the conditions of their grant agreements and with the principles of non-discrimination and respect for fundamental rights. If a breach is identified, the Commission will take the appropriate measures in line with the EU Financial Regulation and the contractual provisions, which can include withdrawing funding or taking administrative action.”
  Jewish culture and antisemitism · Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2026-01-20 “E-004456/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission takes note of the situation in the Kastelli area of Heraklion and acknowledges the archaeological significance of the findings. The Commission takes the safeguarding, protection and promotion of cultural heritage in the highest regard, as again reiterated in the Culture Compass. Key actions such as the READY project 1 , implemented by the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the European Heritage Label 2 and the European Heritage Hub 3 represent the concrete side of the Commission's continued engagement in the sector and provide solid pathways to cultural heritage protection from hazards, including manmade, and promotion. The EU’s Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2011/92/EU 4 as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU 5 ), foresees that major building or development projects in the EU must first be assessed for their impact on the environment, including cultural heritage. However, in line with Articles 6 and 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EU’s competence in the field of culture is to support, coordinate or supplement the actions of Members States, with a view to conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage of European significance. The management of archaeological sites therefore remains a national responsibility, and it is recommended that this matter is brought up to the attention of the competent authorities in Greece. 1 https://www.iccrom.org/projects/ready-resilience-heritage-face-disasters-climate-risks-and-complexemergencies. 2 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/cultural-heritage/initiatives-and-success-stories/european-heritage-label. 3 https://www.europeanheritagehub.eu/. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32011L0092. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32014L0052.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2026-01-13 “E-004354/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Fédération des Associations des Capitales et Villes Européennes du Sport AISBL (ACES) is a non-profit association based in Brussels which since 2001 has been assigning every year awards such as the ‘World Capital, European/American/Asian/Africa/Oceanian Capital, Region, City, Island, Community and Town of Sport’. This process is entirely run by ACES and the Commission does not fund nor is involved in the selection at any stage. The Association is one of the partners of the ‘European Week of Sport’ (EWoS), an initiative organised by the Commission and promoting sport and physical activity since 2015. The European Capitals of Sport and other cities or regions have actively participated in promoting the EWoS and its messages through events. Organising events and participating in the EWoS does not involve funding and is done on a voluntary basis. As of 2025, the Commission has been awarding the #BeActive EU Sport Awards to projects promoting physical activity, inclusion, volunteering, sport across generations and peace. The Commission's awards differ significantly from ACES ones in several ways. While the Commission offers prizes, ACES provides labels/recognitions. Since 2014, ACES has been a partner of seven projects under the Erasmus+ Sport Actions, implementing projects promoting – among others - sport, social inclusion and integrity.”
  EU volunteering programs
• 2026-01-12 “E-004020/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission upholds the principle of best interests of the child 1 and recognises the benefits sport offers for mental health, rehabilitation, social inclusion and reintegration. In line with Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/1238 on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems 2 , national justice systems should address the children’s specific needs in legal proceedings 3 . Furthermore, in detention, multidisciplinary measures must ensure children’s health and emotional development 4 . The Erasmus+ and the Citizens, Equality, Right and Values 5 programmes can fund projects on rehabilitative sports. Projects funded are available on the respective results platforms. The Commission welcomes collaboration with stakeholders, including children, to harness sport for positive change. To better assess sports’ impact on children's rights and social reintegration, it will explore Member States’ willingness to define common indicators when reviewing the 2013 Council’s Recommendation on ‘promoting health-enhancing physical activity across sectors’, indicatively planned for 2027. The Commission will continue work in this domain, with the shared goal of facilitating meaningful opportunities for all young people through sports. 1 Article 24 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, provides that children shall have the right to such protection and care as is necessary for their well-being, and that in all actions relating to children, whether taken by public authorities or private institutions, the child’s best interests must be a primary consideration. 2 OJ L, 2024/1238, 14.5.2024 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/1238/oj/eng. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/1238/oj/eng. 4 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2023/681 of 8 December 2022 on procedural rights of suspects and accused persons subject to pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions. 5 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/projectsresults?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=10&sortBy=es_SortDate.”
  EU volunteering programs
• 2025-12-22 “E-004360/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Youthpass may be obtained for participation in a wide range of learning-oriented activities supported by Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps, including formats that are much shorter than the minimum duration required for the Italian universal civil service and formats that are not related to volunteering. Solidarity activities supported by the European Solidarity Corps – currently the main EUlevel framework for youth volunteering – are intended to complement, rather than replicate, national level schemes. Although volunteering supported by the European Solidarity Corps and the Italian universal civil service may pursue similar objectives, differences in duration and scope mean they are not directly comparable and do not justify automatic equivalence. With respect to volunteering, the aim of the Youthpass certificate is to ensure that a volunteer's experience in one EU country is recognised and valued in others. As such, the full version of the Youthpass already contains information that may permit the relevant national authorities to grant or refuse functional equivalence between the experience acquired by a Youthpass holder and that of a participant in a national solidarity or civil service scheme, on a case-by-case basis.”
  EU volunteering programs
• 2025-12-12 “E-004179/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates that EU action is focused on encouraging cooperation between Member States and supporting and supplementing their actions, with a view to conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage of European significance. Hence, the protection and promotion of cultural heritage remains the responsibility of EU Member States. The return of the Parthenon sculptures is a bilateral issue between Greece and the United Kingdom. Directive 2014/60/EU 1 on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State only applies to Member States and to cultural goods unlawfully removed after 1 January 1993. The Commission presented the EU action plan against trafficking in cultural goods on 13 December 2022 2 . The action plan builds on existing EU activity and addresses ongoing challenges through improving prevention and detection of crimes by market participants and cultural heritage institutions; strengthening law enforcement and judicial capabilities; and boosting international cooperation, including with source and transit countries of cultural goods in conflicts and crises. The Culture Compass for Europe, which was adopted on 12 November 2025 3 , will reinforce the EU’s value-driven approach in its cultural relations with non-EU countries. Protecting heritage from natural and human-induced disasters, including through digitisation, is also a relevant axis of the strategy. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/60/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/60/oj/eng. 3 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-adopts-new-culture-compass-for-europe.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-12-01 “E-004060/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission considers cultural heritage a cornerstone of European identity and social cohesion, a driver of the creative economy and sustainable development, and a catalyst for societal resilience. It promotes its safeguarding, accessibility and mainstreaming across multilevel EU policies and programmes. Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 1 stipulates that EU’s role is limited to encouraging cooperation between Member States and supporting and supplementing their actions, with a view to conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage of European significance. The management of archaeological sites remains the sole responsibility of the Member States. Over the years, the Commission has increased the budget of the Creative Europe programme from EUR 1.47 billion (2014-2020) to EUR 2.44 billion (2021-2027). One third of the current programme (EUR 0.8 billion) is dedicated to the Culture Strand. In the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the Commission proposes to double the budget in the Creative Europe – Culture strand of the new Agora EU programme, from EUR 0.8 billion to EUR 1.8 billion. 1 OJ C 202 7.6.2016, p. 121-122.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-11-26 “E-003646/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission In accordance with Article 167 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, action by the EU on culture aims at encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, supporting and supplementing their actions in areas such as literary creation. These efforts are implemented through the adoption of incentive measures designed to encourage cultural development and exchange, while respecting the diversity of national cultural policies, excluding harmonisation and regulations of the Member States. The Creative Europe programme 1 is the Commission’s flagship initiative to support culture and audiovisual sectors, including the book and literature sectors. The programme funding is allocated through calls that involve participation of multiple partners from Creative Europe countries. Different funding schemes and actions of Creative Europe include support to literary translations – more than 500 books are translated each year. The programme also supports reading promotion through European Authors Day 2 and cooperation projects such as RISE Plus 3 aimed at strengthening the European booksellers. Furthermore, the Commission also supports the book sector and reading promotion initiatives through other EU programmes like Erasmus+ 4 and Horizon Europe 5 . The Commission remains strongly committed to safeguarding editorial pluralism and freedom of expression which are core European values. The safeguarding and promotion of these values feature prominently in the Culture Compass for Europe 6 , which was adopted on 12 November 2025. 1 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe. 2 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/cultural-and-creative-sectors/books-and-publishing/european-authors-day. 3 https://risebookselling.eu/. 4 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/it. 5 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en. 6 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-adopts-new-culture-compass-for-europe.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-11-26 “E-004056/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef On behalf of the European Commission The Commission acknowledges the recent European Parliament resolution and is committed to take appropriate actions in line with its competences. The Commission supports awareness raising, best practice exchange and capacity building in partnership with Member States and in dialogue with stakeholders, as well as combating violence against children and promotion of relevant child safeguards in different settings including in after-school activities, cultural activities and sports, as well as in public spaces 1 . These efforts are integrated within the current EU Work Plan for Sport as well 2 . Dedicated Open Method of Coordination (OMC) Groups on promoting athletes´ rights in the context of good governance as well as on the fight against hate speech in sport will foster exchanges and dialogue by bringing together representatives and experts from Member States and identify recommendations for combating abusive behaviour and the protection of athletes’ rights. Moreover, EU funding programmes such as Erasmus+, Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values help to prevent and combat abusive behaviour in sport while protecting athletes and promoting integrity in sport. Cases of harassment, abuse and violence often fall under criminal law and shall be addressed by the competent authorities in the Member States. The primary responsibility for putting in place appropriate procedures and initiatives rests at national level, in line with the principle of self-governance of sport organisations. 1 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/1238 on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child, OJ L, 2024/1238, 14.5.2024. 2 OJ C 3527, 3.6.2024, p.1-15.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-11-24 “E-002690/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Member States are competent for undertaking measures to raise young people’s awareness about the risks of anabolic steroids (AS). At European level, the Commission provides support in sharing practices. In 2021 a study on mapping the EU legislation regarding AS in sport was conducted 1 . In 2022 the Commission supported a project of the World Anti-Doping Agency aimed to increase anti-doping intelligence, including awareness raising of the threat of doping in youth amateur sports. The Erasmus+ programme plays an important role in raising awareness about integrity in sport and physical activity, including risks associated with the use of AS. It empowers youth organisations, sports clubs, and educational institutions to develop initiatives to promote clean sport values and healthy lifestyles. The #BeActive campaign engages young people across Europe by encouraging participation in physical activity while promoting integrity in sport. The European Anti-Fraud Office also plays an active role in the detection of dangerous goods affecting human health and safety, including AS. It works in close cooperation with customs authorities to support cross-border investigations and to coordinate joint operations. In 2024, the Europol Operation ‘Shield V’ targeting inter alia the misuse and distribution of counterfeit medicines, doping substance and illegal supplements was conducted 2 . Once AS fall under the relevant definitions 3 , they would be covered by the monitoring and competence development tasks of the European Union Drugs Agency. 1 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/76890558-f016-11eb-a71c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/olaf-report/2024/investigative-activities/protecting-eu-revenue/operations-withpartners_en.html#SHIELD-V. 3 See Article 3(1) and (2) of the EUDA mandate, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R1322.”
  EU measures on lifestyle-related behaviours (smoking, drinking, eating, etc.) · Pharmaceuticals regulation in EU
• 2025-11-24 “E-003630/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Safeguarding cultural heritage and the assessment of the impact of infrastructure projects on cultural heritage is a national responsibility. The EU supports Member States in preserving and protecting cultural heritage of European significance. The Commission advances this objective through initiatives such as the European Heritage Label, the European Heritage Days and the European Heritage Awards, for example, which celebrate and strengthen Europe’s diverse cultural heritage. Funding to support cultural heritage is available through several European funding programmes. For example, EU planned European Regional Development Fund support for culture and cultural heritage in Greece amounts to EUR 273.7 million for the period 20212027. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization provides financial and technical assistance to World Heritage Sites, including for site management, through its World Heritage Fund. The CulturEU 1 funding guide provides information about available EU funding opportunities for the cultural and creative sectors. The EU action plan against trafficking in cultural goods 2 of 13 December 2022 aims to deter criminals effectively, address evolving security threats and to protect cultural heritage within and beyond the EU. The action plan addresses ongoing challenges by improving the prevention and detection of crimes by market participants and cultural heritage institutions; strengthening law enforcement and judicial capabilities; boosting international cooperation, including with source and transit countries of cultural goods affected by conflicts and crises. 1 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/funding/cultureu-funding-guide/discover-funding-opportunities-for-the-culturaland-creative-sectors. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX%3A52022DC0800.”
  EU strategy for tourism development · EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-10-16 “E-003189/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission to supports Europe's rich cultural heritage, including sites of religious interest, and Member States in developing cultural heritage policies and initiatives. Programmes such as Creative Europe support cross-border projects in cultural heritage, notably in the areas of safeguarding, digitisation, sustainability, and knowledge exchange. Funding is allocated on a competitive basis, and interested parties can explore opportunities by visiting the official Creative Europe website: Calls - Culture and Creativity 1 . Beyond Creative Europe, the Commission’s CultureEU funding guide 2 provides details on over 75 funding sources available. Furthermore, initiatives like the European Heritage Awards provide opportunities to promote and safeguard sites of outstanding cultural and spiritual value, such as Mount Athos. As part of EU rich cultural heritage, Mount Athos is eligible to be included in European cooperation projects in which organisations – such as cultural institutions, universities, NonGovernmental Organisations, or public authorities – act as applicants. Commission services encourage Mount Athos’s Holy Community or potential applicants to contact the local Creative Europe desk 3 to receive more information on funding opportunities offered by their programmes. 1 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/funding/calls. 2 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/funding/cultureu-funding-guide. 3 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/resources/creative-europe-desks.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-09-30 “E-002043/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission supports the preservation of cultural heritage in Europe through its funding programmes and dedicated actions such as the European Heritage Awards, the European Heritage Days and the European Heritage Label. Additionally, the EU has contributed to the construction of the new Acropolis Museum, to the restoration of Acropolis Monuments and to the accessibility of the Acropolis Museum collections through support for digitisation. These EU-funded projects have significantly contributed to preserving Greece's cultural heritage and making it accessible to a wider audience, aligning with broader EU objectives of promoting cultural tourism, social cohesion, and preservation of shared European heritage. Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates that EU action is limited to encouraging cooperation between Member States and supporting and supplementing their actions, with a view to conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage of European significance. The EU also facilitates the exchange of information and good practices between Member States on issues of mutual interest including on complementary sources of funding for cultural heritage, which are crucial to ensuring the sector’s long-term sustainability. Furthermore, Directive (EU) 2001/29 1 grants rightsholders exclusive rights to authorise or prohibit the reproduction of their works, which is crucial in protecting cultural heritage from unauthorized commercial exploitation. It also provides an optional exception or limitation for the use of works, such as works of architecture or sculpture, made to be located permanently in public places. Directive (EU) 2019/790 2 also clarifies that the circulation of faithful reproductions of works in the public domain, when the term of protection of a work of visual art has expired, contributes to the promotion and access to culture and cultural heritage. 1 Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society, OJ L 167, pp. 10–19. 2 Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC, OJ L 130, pp. 92– 125 (Text with EEA relevance).”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-09-26 “E-002541/2025 Answer given by Commissioner Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 1 stipulates that EU action is limited to encouraging cooperation between Member States and supporting and supplementing their actions, with a view to conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage of European significance. The European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage 2 was developed as a legacy to the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. It aims to keep cultural heritage on the EU agenda and promotes an integrated and participatory approach to cultural heritage. The Framework for Action sets a common direction for heritage-related activities at European level, primarily in EU policies and programmes. It also serves as an inspiration for regions and cities across Europe, as well as for cultural heritage organisations and networks when developing their own actions on cultural heritage. At national level, the Commission invites Member States to draw up similar frameworks for heritage on a voluntary basis, to complement the EU Framework for Action. The Commission therefore focuses on supporting European cultural diversity and heritage through dedicated actions, funded by the Creative Europe programme 3 , such as the European Heritage Awards 4 , the 7 Most Endangered 5 Programme, and dedicated strands supporting cooperation projects, networks, and platforms in the field of cultural heritage. 1 OJ C 202/1, 7.6.2016; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:12016E/TXT. 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/5a9c3144-80f1-11e9-9f05-01aa75ed71a1. 3 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe. 4 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/cultural-heritage/initiatives-and-success-stories/european-heritage-awards. 5 https://7mostendangered.eu/.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-09-25 “E-002808/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Directive 2014/60/EU 1 establishes a harmonised system of cooperation between Member States to facilitate the return of cultural objects, defined by a Member State as being among national treasures 2 , which have been unlawfully removed from the territory of that Member State. The Directive also establishes return actions before national courts with harmonised limitation periods and institutes a system of national authorities to facilitate administrative cooperation and information exchange. The Directive applies solely to those cultural objects that left the territory of a Member State on, or after, 1 January 1993. Nevertheless, pursuant to Article 15 of the Directive, Member States may voluntarily choose to extend the system to cultural objects other than national treasures and to cultural objects unlawfully removed before this date. In the absence of the application of Article 15, Member States can refer to other frameworks (1954 Hague Convention 3 , Washington Principles 4 , Council of Europe’s resolutions, EU primary law) and specific national legislation and bilateral agreements where they exist. 1 Directive 2014/60/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 (recast), OJ L 159/1, 28.5.2014; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/60/oj/eng. 2 These cultural objects are defined by a Member State as being among the ‘national treasures possessing artistic, historic or archaeological value’ under national legislation or administrative procedures within the meaning of Article 36 TFEU. 3 https://www.unesco.org/en/legal-affairs/convention-protection-cultural-property-event-armed-conflictregulations-execution-convention. 4 https://www.state.gov/washington-conference-principles-on-nazi-confiscated-art.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-09-24 “E-002478/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Through the Creative Europe programme 1 , the EU supports cross-border cooperation and innovation in the cultural heritage sector. While recognising the sector’s economic and social contributions, the programme’s core aim is to promote cultural diversity and fair access to cultural heritage sites. The EU also facilitates the exchange of information and good practices between Member States on issues of mutual interest including. on complementary sources of funding for cultural heritage, which are crucial to ensuring the sector’s long-term sustainability. Additionally, the EU has contributed substantially to the construction of the new Acropolis Museum, to the restoration of Acropolis Monuments and to the accessibility of the Acropolis Museum collections through support for digitization. These EU-funded projects have significantly contributed to preserving Greece's cultural heritage and making it accessible to a wider audience, aligning with broader EU objectives of promoting cultural tourism, social cohesion, and preservation of shared European heritage. Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 2 stipulates that EU action is limited to encouraging cooperation between Member States and supporting and supplementing their actions, with a view to conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage of European significance. 1 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe. 2 OJ C 202/1, 7.6.2016; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:12016E/TXT.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-09-24 “P-002560/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission It is up to Member States to decide whether organisations, including those acting as cultural centres, may receive indirect public funding through national tax mechanisms. These decisions fall under national jurisdiction, including the classification of organisations, oversight of their activities, and the enforcement of transparency and accountability measures. While the Commission does not intervene in these national frameworks, it encourages Member States to ensure such funding is transparent and compliant with legal and ethical standards. Moreover, Member States have significant autonomy to choose whom, what, when, and at what rate to tax as long as there is no tax harmonisation on the specific issue at EU level. The Commission does not thus generally track what types of specific tax treatment various specific types of institutions or economic operators are subject to across the EU Member States. The Commission encourages the use of public funds, both direct and indirect, to support activities and initiatives that uphold EU values 1 , such as respect for human dignity, democracy, and the rule of law. The Commission does not discriminate on grounds of religion or beliefs nor classifying partner organisations based on religious affiliation. Programmes like Creative Europe 2 allocate funding based solely on artistic, scientific, and cultural merit. Independent experts evaluate applications based on relevance, content quality, project management, and dissemination, without regard to religious or ideological affiliation. 1 Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, OJ C 202/1, 7.6.2016; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A12016M%2FTXT. 2 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe.”
  Regulation of NGOs in Europe · EU policy on Islam
• 2025-08-26 “E-001253/2025 Answer given by Ms Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission shares the European Parliament’s unwavering commitment to strengthen children’s rights, promote their active participation, including at local level, while fostering cross-border exchanges. They are key objectives of the EU Strategy on the rights of the child, notably of its EU Children’s Participation Platform involving children in EU decision-making process. The local dimension is also central in the Commission Recommendation on integrated child protection systems, or in the implementation of the European Child Guarantee. The initiative proposed requires a thorough analysis to define objectives, scope and an impact on children’s lives and promotion of their rights. It is also crucial to avoid duplications and consider synergies with existing initiatives (e.g. the European Youth Capital, the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award, the European Capitals of Culture, the Access City Award), and with related existing initiatives led by partners (e.g. UNICEF). Such an assessment will consider already available EU funding schemes supporting projects with strong local dimensions for children, such as the calls for proposals on the rights of the child and children’s participation of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, or the development of the EU Children’s Participation Platform. Children themselves should be involved in consultation, together with other relevant stakeholders, including international organisations, child rights organisations, local and regional authorities. Such analysis needs to consider equally resources and priorities under the next programming period, namely the Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034).”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-08-06 “E-002197/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission According to Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EU shall contribute to the promotion of the cultures of the Member States, while respecting their national and regional diversity and promoting the common cultural heritage. The EU’s action aims to encourage cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, support and supplement their actions. Through initiatives such as the Creative Europe programme, the European Capitals of Culture, the European Heritage Label, as well as several EU Cultural Prizes, the Commission aims to nurture cultural diversity and allow for exchange, cooperation, and scalability. Erasmus+ 1 and Creative Europe 2 have been funding numerous projects that promote linguistic diversity, including regional and minority languages 3 . Policy cooperation on culture at EU level aims not to replace national cultural policies but to support and enhance them by addressing common and/or cross-border challenges in full respect of the subsidiarity principle. Cultural policy cooperation is based on common priorities and actions identified by EU Member States in the multiannual EU Work Plans for Culture. 1 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/https:/erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/. 2 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe/creative-europe-culture-strand. 3 Some examples can be found in the publication ‘Linguistic diversity in the European Union’: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/d325c589-011a-11ef-a251-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.”
  EU political integration · Role of education (social change vs. tradition)
• 2025-08-05 “E-001924/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Article 3 of the Regulation 1 on the Erasmus+ programme objectives includes the strengthening of European identity and active citizenship. Since 2014, around 50 000 projects with this objective were funded (EUR 3.79 billion). The Erasmus+ annual report 2 2023 indicates that 82% of participants in mobility activities declare that they feel more European. The interim evaluation of the 2021-2027 European Solidarity Corps found that the programme greatly strengthened participants’ sense of European identity, with volunteers reporting a 71% increase in their sense of belonging. Participants declared that they became more tolerant towards the values and behaviour of others (84%) and capable of cooperating with people from different backgrounds or in specific situations such as disability (89%). The Creative Europe Programme, the European Capitals of Culture and European Heritage label (EHL) are meant to actively reinforce shared cultural identity and feelings of belonging. The Commission also awards the EUR 1.5 million Melina Mercouri Prize to selected European Capitals of Culture and the EHL BUREAU (EUR 3 million for the 2023-2026 period) for the EHL community. The evaluations’ results will be available in the second half of 2025. The Commission supports cooperation with civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations in the field of education and training to foster their active involvement in the implementation of policy reforms and the Erasmus+ programme. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/817 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing Erasmus+: the Union Programme for education and training, youth and sport and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 (Text with EEA relevance), OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, pp. 1–33. 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/884d8a20-ac87-11ef-acb1-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.”
  Focus of EU policy on education (shaping workers vs citizens) · EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-07-30 “E-002413/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is deeply concerned about the impact of the current situation on access to education and academic continuity for young people in Gaza and in the region. The Commission does not envisage extraordinary instruments at this stage as students and staff from Palestine are eligible for mobilities under the international dimension of the Erasmus+ programme. The Commission has received several requests for support from students selected under Erasmus+ who cannot exit Gaza. The Commission maintains close contact with EU Delegations in Israel and Palestine * to provide support and, wherever possible, assist students in obtaining permissions to leave Gaza. It also provides opportunities for universities in Gaza, such as through its international Capacity Building in Higher Education action under the Erasmus+ programme. This initiative primarily focuses on strengthening the capacities of universities. The Commission will continue to flag to its national agencies implementing the Erasmus+ programme that force majeure can be applied to cases where unforeseen situations appeared during the implementation of mobilities. The Commission remains committed to upholding the right to education and promoting academic resilience and cooperation, even in the most challenging circumstances. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide support wherever possible. * This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.”
  Governance of academic priorities within the EU
• 2025-07-29 “E-002027/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is monitoring the situation described by the Honourable Member. While the Commission is not aware of official reports of such interventions in European higher education institutions, several university sources from the EU have indicated they have received related information requests. Academic freedom is enshrined in the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights. The EU and its Member States committed to upholding academic freedom and freedom of scientific research in the 2020 European Higher Education Area Rome Ministerial Communiqué 1 , 2020 Bonn Declaration 2 and the 2021 Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe 3 . The European Strategy for Universities, the Erasmus+ programme and the ERA Policy Agenda also highlight the EU’s strong commitment to fundamental values. The European Strategy for Universities foresees the Commission to propose guiding principles to protect fundamental academic values, based on the 2024 European Higher Education Area Tirana Ministerial Communiqué 4 . The Commission also works on creating new opportunities to foster academic debates and to exchange best practices on values and democracy as part of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Higher Education activities, including in third countries. The EU will continue to strengthen universities in Europe by pooling resources and establishing robust networks for European cooperation, through initiatives such as the European Universities Alliances and the joint European Degree label. In addition, in response to the European Parliament's resolution of January 2024 on the promotion and protection of freedom of scientific research, the Commission is currently conducting a study to assess the state of this freedom and develop an appropriate legislative response. 1 https://ehea.info/Upload/Rome_Ministerial_Communique.pdf. 2 https://www.bmbf.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/b/bonn_declaration_en.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=5. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reco/2021/2122/oj/eng. 4 https://ehea.info/Download/Tirana-Coammunique.pdf.”
  Governance of academic priorities within the EU · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-07-08 “E-001798/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The European Commission supports the accessibility for all cultural heritage and will work to improve access to cultural heritage, with a special focus on young people. One of the first steps will be to develop a Culture Compass which will improve the strategic framework for culture at the EU level. The New European Agenda for Culture, adopted by the Commission in 2018 1 , provides the framework for cooperation on culture at the EU level. It highlights the positive contribution of culture to European society and social cohesion, as well as to the economy and international relations. The Commission supports the preservation of cultural heritage in Europe through its funding programmes and dedicated actions such as the European Heritage Awards, the European Heritage Days and the European Heritage Label. Under Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EU’s role is limited to encourage cooperation and to support and supplement Member States’ actions in the field of culture and cultural heritage. The Commission has no say in the management of, or access to, cultural heritage sites in the Member States. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52018DC0267.”
  EU strategy for tourism development · EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-07-04 “E-001810/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Sport plays a powerful role in promoting peace, respect, and understanding within societies. By teaching us to follow rules, respect opponents, and reject violence, it contributes meaningfully to human rights and peaceful coexistence. As the world’s foremost sporting event, the Olympic Games symbolise these values and have the unique ability to bring people together across borders and differences. The Commission believes that international sporting events, including the Olympic Games, must not be used for political propaganda by regimes engaged in wars of aggression in violation of international law. At the same time the Commission fully supports the autonomy of the sporting movement and the universal right of individual athletes, to participate in such events and takes note of the decision of the International Olympic Committee to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
  EU-Belarus relations · EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
• 2025-06-11 “E-001312/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union explicitly prohibits any discrimination based on membership of a national minority and promotes respect for linguistic diversity. At the same time, the legal provisions governing the use of languages fall within the exclusive competence of the Member States. The Commission also has no competence to evaluate compliance with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination · EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-06-03 “E-000971/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in sport for all, notably through its strong commitment to building a Union of Equality, including for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people through the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 1 , as well as through funding programmes such as Erasmus+. As announced in President of the Commission Political Guidelines 2 and in the 2025 Commission Work Programme 3 , the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy will be renewed beyond 2025. Based on the core principle of autonomy of sport, it is for each sport and its governing body to decide on the participation of transgender athletes in sport competitions. The Commission notes the International Olympic Committee’s Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and NonDiscrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations, that offers a 10-principle approach to help sport organisations to develop criteria applicable to their sport. One of the Erasmus+ horizontal priorities is inclusion, and its inclusion and diversity strategy aims at creating equitable opportunities of access to the programme for everyone. In the sport field, some of the sport-specific priorities include values of non-discrimination, anti-racism and openness and tolerance. The Commission’s commitment to equality and inclusion alongside the evolving policies of sports federations, plays a key role in shaping a fair and inclusive environment for women’s sports. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52020DC0698. 2 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/7617998c-86e6-4a74-b33c249e8a7938cd_en?filename=COM_2025_45_1_annexes_EN.pdf.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-05-23 “E-001339/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Freedom of expression and freedom of the arts are recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU 1 (Articles 11 and 13), which applies to Member States when implementing EU law. The topic of artistic freedom is included in the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 2 under the priority ‘Artists and cultural professionals: empowering the cultural and creative sectors’. The Swedish Presidency of the EU organised a conference on this topic in February 2023 and published Council conclusions on ‘At-risk and displaced artists’ on 16 May 2023 3 . Moreover, the report ‘The Status and Working Conditions of artists and culture and creative professionals’ was published in 2023 by a group of Member States experts under the Open Method of Coordination 4 . The report includes specific recommendations to the Member States on how to protect the freedom of artistic expression. The Commission recalls that by virtue of Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 5 culture remains a competence of Member States. The Commission is committed to contributing to the support of the rich diversity of the cultures of the Member States (Article 167(1) TFEU) by carrying out efforts to support, coordinate, or supplement the actions of the Member States in the field of culture (Article 6(c) TFEU). While the Commission recognises the concerns regarding acts of vandalism, it is primarily the responsibility of the Member States to ensure that artists and cultural institutions are protected from those acts. 1 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/charter/pdf/text_en.pdf. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022G1207(01). 3 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-9260-2023-INIT/en/pdf. 4 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/01fafa79-1a13-11ee-806b-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/tfeu_2008/art_167/oj/eng.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-05-21 “E-000933/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Commission Decision C(2023)5035 final of 19 July 2023 outlines the grounds for the enforced recovery procedure. It was established that Projekt Forum Zdruzenie (PFZ), coordinator of the project ‘Mirrors of Europe’ failed to respect its substantial obligations under the Grant Agreement signed for the above-mentioned project. As such, it was requested to return the EU funding due to this breach of obligations. Regarding the co-financing of the project, it was established that the documents provided by the project coordinator, including the financial statement was still not balanced and therefore did not comply with the requirements of the Grant Agreement, and that there was no financial contribution made by PFZ and its co-organisers to the project. The Commission is aware of the claim initiated in 2019 by the project coordinator, and of the Decision by the European Ombudsman 1 , who found no maladministration in the Education and Culture Executive Agency's decision to recover the funds. Once all means of recovering the funds unduly received by the project, as put in place by the Commission services and the Agency, had failed (including debit note, reminders, formal notices, full repayment, repayment by instalment, offsetting, etc.), the sole remaining action was the enforced recovery procedure initiated via the above-mentioned Commission Decision. Commission Decision C(2023)5035 outlines the grounds for the enforced recovery procedure. 1 European Ombudsman https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/decision/en/120801.”
  Conditions to access EU budget · Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• 2025-04-22 “E-000809/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Improving artists’ working conditions remains a priority for the Commission. It is explicitly mentioned in the mission letter to the Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport and will be addressed in the EU strategic framework for culture, the ‘Culture Compass’. The Commission is regularly in touch with stakeholders, notably with relevant social partners via the EU sectoral social dialogues. The Commission is following up on the actions set out in its reply 1 to the European Parliament. It analysed regulatory gaps with social partners’ involvement, organised mutual learning activities on social protection, gathered further evidence 2 on undeclared work and further improved the EU-funded online information resource 3 on artists’ working conditions. The Commission will organise a high-level round table with relevant stakeholders to determine the scope for further EU action. The Commission supports Member States in the implementation of the 2019 Council recommendation on access to social protection 4 . It also covers artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors and monitors the implementation of EU labour law directives 5 setting minimum standards to protect the working conditions of workers in employment relationships, including intermittent workers 6 . 1 Commission reply to the European Parliament’s legislative initiative report of 21 February 2024 on an EU framework for the social and professional situation of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors. 2 https://www.ela.europa.eu/en/news/creative-sectors-ela-study-reveals-precarious-working-conditions-andundeclared-labour 3 https://creativesunite.eu/work-condition 4 Council Recommendation on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed: https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/GA/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019H1115(01) 5 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/rights-work/labour-law_en 6 See in particular Council Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1999/70/oj/eng”
  EU support for cultural and creative sector · EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers · EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment
• 2025-04-11 “E-000051/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Measures to make local infrastructure, such as ski lifts, more accessible to area residents, in particular low-income ones, can benefit the local community (also because they may improve the local residents’ health) and promote inclusivity. Moreover, ski lift prices for local residents might be influenced or decided by regional or local authorities in view of the situation of local residents. (This may depend on whether the applicable national, regional and/or local rules allow this, an on whether the ski lift operator is controlled by the municipality). However, it may be that certain rules of EU law apply to certain ski lift operators in a Member State, including their pricing policy. If so, public authorities should abide by the relevant EU rules. For instance, the EU’s State aid rules may be applicable where trade between Member States is affected. Subject to specific requirements, these rules allow, inter alia, support having a social character and directed to individuals. One of the objectives of the EU Work plan for Sport 2024-2027 1 is to increase participation in sport and health-enhancing physical activity and improve accessibility for vulnerable groups, in order to promote an active and environmentally friendly lifestyle, social cohesion and active citizenship. The Member States are invited to engage in implementation of this Work Plan. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/3527/oj/eng”
  EU competences on social policies · EU housing policy
• 2025-04-11 “E-000679/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has demonstrated a strong commitment to building a Union of Equality, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion for all, notably through the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 1 , LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 2 , as well as through funding programmes such as Erasmus+ 3 . As announced in the President of the Commission’s Political Guidelines 4 and in the 2025 Commission Work Programme 5 , the Gender Equality Strategy and the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy will be renewed beyond 2025. The Commission also adopted the Roadmap for Women’s Rights 6 on 7 March 2025. Based on the core principle of autonomy of sport, it is for each sport and its governing body to decide on the participation of athletes in sport competitions. The Commission notes the International Olympic Committee’s Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and NonDiscrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations 7 , that offers a 10-principle approach to help sport organisations to develop criteria applicable to their sport. The Commission’s commitment to equality and inclusion alongside the evolving policies of sports federations, plays a key role in shaping a fair and inclusive environment for women’s sports. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52020DC0152 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52020DC0698 3 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/ 4 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf 5 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/7617998c-86e6-4a74-b33c249e8a7938cd_en?filename=COM_2025_45_1_annexes_EN.pdf 6 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/0c3fe55d-9e4f-4377-9d1493d03398b434_en?filename=Gender%20Equality%20Report%20Chapeau%20Communication.pdf 7 https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Beyond-the-Games/Human-Rights/IOC-Framework-FairnessInclusion-Non-discrimination-2021.pdf”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-03-20 “E-000227/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is fully committed to gender equality and women’s rights, including supporting female athletes, in line with the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 1 . The Commission’s High-Level Group on gender equality in sport 2 in its recommendations published in 2022 called upon ensuring legal frameworks, equal opportunities and conditions, and securing social benefits for female athletes. The recommendations specify that their rights under national labour laws should be fully applied, and sport organisations should develop maternity policies. Moreover, EU legislation protects against discrimination on grounds of sex in conditions for access to employment and to self-employment. 3 It also protects against discrimination in employment and working conditions, including dismissals. 4 It prohibits the reduction of rights of women, when returning to their jobs after maternity leave. 5 In addition, an employee who is pregnant, has given birth or has adopted a child, has the right to maternity leave for a period of at least 14 weeks before and/or after the birth or adoption. 6 In line with Directive (EU) 2019/1158, 7 the Commission has been analysing the transposition and implementation of the rights to family-related leave in Member States, including the rights granted to self-employed persons as of 2027. 8 The 2019 Council Recommendation on access to social protection for workers and the selfemployed 9 encourages Member States to extend access to adequate social protection to all workers and the self-employed, including those in non-traditional contracts and sectors such as professional sports. This covers a broad range of social security branches, including maternity and paternity benefits. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/just/items/682425/en 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/684ab3af-9f57-11ec-83e1-01aa75ed71a1 3 Article 14 of Directive 2006/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation (recast), OJ L 204, 26.7.2006, p. 23–36. 4 See footnote 3. 5 Article 15 of Directive 2006/54/EC. 6 Council Directive 92/85/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding (tenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). 7 Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU, OJ L 188, 12.7.2019, p. 79–93. 8 Article 18 of Directive (EU) 2019/1158. 9 Council Recommendation (EU) 2019/118, OJ C 387, 15.11.2019.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment
• 2025-03-05 “P-002733/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Promoting the rich cultural diversity of Europe is a key work strand of the EU. The Commission is fully aware of the importance that citizens give to this subject. The 2024 Eurobarometer on ‘Europeans and their languages’ showed that 85% of the citizens considered that regional and minority languages should be protected. As regards the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the Commission has no role in the implementation of that Charter. It is for the Council of Europe to monitor compliance and provide guidance in view of ensuring that the members fulfil their obligations under the Charter. The Commission’s Communication in reply to the Minority SafePack initiative 1 considered that no further legal acts were necessary, since the full implementation of legislation and policies already in place were sufficient to support the initiative’s goals. Also, the Commission has no competence on the regime governing the use of regional or minority languages in Member States. The Commission is committed to promoting linguistic diversity and is funding projects with this aim through the Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes. Some examples can be found in the 2024 publication ‘Linguistic diversity in the European Union’ 2 . The Commission is also continuing its cooperation on this subject with the Council of Europe’s European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML). The Horizon Europe programme also provides research opportunities in relation to cultural and linguistic diversity, in particular under Cluster 2 ‘Culture, creative and inclusive society’. Several relevant projects are ongoing. 1 https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2017/000004/minority-safepack-one-million-signaturesdiversity-europe_en 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/d325c589-011a-11ef-a251-01aa75ed71a1/language-en”
  EU and national cultural identities · Engagement of Romani communities in Europe
• 2025-02-25 “E-002581/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Following allegations regarding an Erasmus+ project 1 coordinated by Islamic Relief Germany in 2023, the German National Agency in charge of vocational education and training and adult education conducted thorough checks with the relevant German authorities and concluded that there were no relevant legal findings that would have justified to terminate the project in question. The Commission is politically committed and legally bound to ensure that no one receives EU funding if they are involved in criminal or unethical practices, terrorism-related offences or in other activities incompatible with EU values. The award of funds is conditional to the absence of any exclusion grounds as set out in Article 138 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 2 . The recent Financial Regulation recast 3 from September 2024 introduced an explicit ground under the Early Detection and Exclusion System to protect the EU values and exclude entities from receiving EU funds if they have engaged in activities contrary to the EU founding values 4 , such as incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence, where it concludes that their integrity is impacted and affects or risks affecting their performance of legal commitments undertaken 5 . The Commission will continue rigorous monitoring procedures through checks and followups on compliance with EU values. The Commission will immediately act on any evidence, by implementing appropriate measures against unreliable entities, e.g. suspension of contract or payments, contract termination, recovery or exclusion from EU financing. 1 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects/search/details/2023-1-DE02-KA122-ADU-000127773 2 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast) (OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj). 3 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/990fe2a6-8f52-11ef-a130-01aa75ed71a1/language-en 4 These values are enshrined in Article 2 Treaty on the European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. 5 Article 138(1), point (c)(vi) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024.”
  EU policy on Islam · Accounting and auditing of EU budget · Regulation of NGOs in Europe
• 2025-02-10 “E-002771/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU enshrines the fundamental right to the freedom of the arts. According to its Article 13(1), ‘the arts and scientific research shall be free of constraint’ 1 . The Charter also safeguards the freedom of expression (Article 11) and cultural diversity (Articles 11 and 22), which are integral to artistic freedom. Freedom of expression, which includes freedom of artistic expression, is a core EU value and crucial for democratic societies. The Commission attaches great importance to it. Responsibility for cultural policy and legislation lies with the Member States. Nonetheless, the Commission works closely with them to facilitate mutual learning and cooperation, share best policy and practice, and address common challenges in this field. The Commission works with Member States in addressing threats to cultural diversity and artistic freedoms, through such initiatives as the Creative Europe programme 2 , which offers funding and support to cultural institutions and initiatives that promote cultural diversity, inclusion, and freedom of expression; the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 3 , which recognises artistic freedom as a fundamental part of cultural work, and the protection of artistic freedom as an essential element for strengthening the link between culture and democracy. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/char_2012/oj/eng 2 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022G1207(01)”
  EU engagement with civil society · Rule of law and democracy in the EU (political compass)
• 2025-02-06 “E-002640/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission There have been several efforts to collect data on loneliness in recent years. In 2022, the Commission conducted the first EU-wide survey on loneliness, with findings available on the Commission’s website 1 . In 2018 and 2022, the EU survey on income and living conditions included variables on quality of life, such as social contacts and the feeling of being left out. These variables will be included again in the 2028 survey, with results published on the online database of the Statistical Office of the EU (Eurostat) 2 . Additionally, under the current Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation 3 , the Commission is funding a coordination and support action dedicated to loneliness 4 . This project, set to launch in early 2025, aims to identify, organise, and integrate publicly accessible datasets on loneliness, contributing evidence on loneliness and effective interventions 5 . Loneliness significantly impacts mental health. The Commission, through its flagship initiatives of the Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health 6 , supports Member States 7 in identifying best practices and improving prevention strategies for mental health issues, especially for vulnerable populations. Loneliness will also be an important angle considered in the elaboration of the intergenerational fairness strategy. Finally, in her political guidelines 8 for the new Commission mandate, the President of the Commission announced an EU-wide inquiry into how social media affects well-being. Loneliness is a critical factor in this context. To lay the groundwork for a future EU-wide longitudinal study on social media use, loneliness, and well-being, the Commission will conduct a pilot survey to explore social media's role in loneliness among adolescents. 1 https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/scientific-activities-z/survey-methods-and-analysis-centresmac/loneliness_en 2 Indicators on social contacts and feeling left out are published in the Eurostat Online Database: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/main/data/database 3 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en 4 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl22024-transformations-01-01 5 The project is entitled ‘The loneliness and social isolation in Europe Network: Evidence-based policy recommendation on its causes, consequences and monitoring’. 6 https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/comprehensive-approach-mental-health_en 7 https://mentalhealthandwellbeing.eu/the-joint-action/ 8 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf”
  EU competences on social policies · EU policy on mental health
• 2025-01-27 “P-002769/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission In March 2023, the Portuguese authorities designated Évora as European Capital of Culture (ECoC) 2027 based on the recommendation of the ECoC expert panel. Since then, Évora has been subjected to a monitoring process in line with Decision No 445/2014/EU 1 . Under the Commission’s auspices, the panel monitors the implementation of the ECoC project in Évora, providing guidance and checking that commitments made at selection phase are fulfilled. After discussions with the relevant public authorities, the Portuguese government published a decree-law in December 2023 establishing the Évora 2027 Association, in line with the Portuguese legislation. It is the responsibility of all concerned authorities at national, regional and local levels to create a solid governance to implement a project of the scale of an ECoC and have an appropriate representation of all parties (including the government as a main funder) in this structure, while ensuring ownership of the project by the title-holding city. The Commission will continue monitoring the process. In this context, it is important for the Évora 2027 Association to ensure adherence to the bid book to the largest extent possible and for all authorities to work in a good collaboration spirit. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32014D0445”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-01-17 “E-002305/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission acknowledges the importance of protecting the freedom of arts and sciences in Europe from foreign interference (that goes against the fundamental values and principles of the EU). In this regard, in line with the Staff Working Document ‘Tackling R&I foreign interference’ 1 , the Commission is committed to supporting Member States and relevant institutions in safeguarding these freedoms. In particular, the Commission will support Member States by providing guidance, facilitating information exchange, and promoting best practices among national authorities and cultural institutions. The topic of artistic freedom is included in the current EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 2 . Moreover, the Open Method of Coordination Group of Member States experts published a report 3 in 2023, including specific recommendations to the Member States on how to protect the freedom of artistic expression. However, the Commission recalls that by virtue of Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), culture remains a competence of Member States. While the Commission recognises the concerns regarding cases of foreign interference, it is primarily the responsibility of Member States to address specific instances of such interference. The EU has repeatedly expressed concerns for the human rights situation in Tibet and called upon China to preserve the fundamental freedoms, cultural heritage and identity of Tibetans, in public statements 4 as well as in bilateral meetings with Chinese interlocutors 5 . 1 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/3faf52e8-79a2-11ec-9136-01aa75ed71a1 2 Council Resolution on the EU Work Plan for Culture, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022G1207%2801%29&qid=1671635488811 3 The Status and Working conditions of artists and culture and creative professionals, https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/01fafa79-1a13-11ee-806b-01aa75ed71a1/language-en 4 HRC57 - Item 4 : General debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention (24 September 2024), https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/hrc57-item-4-general-debate-human-rights-situationsrequire-council%E2%80%99s-attention_en?s=62 5 Press release of the 39 th EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, 17 June 2024, https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/china-39th-human-rights-dialogue-european-union-took-place-chongqing_en”
  EU-China relations · Foreign interference in Europe
• 2025-01-03 “E-002356/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The EU supports, complements, or supplements the actions of the Member States in youth policy (Article 6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 1 ). This excludes the harmonisation of national laws and regulations (Articles 165 and 166 TFEU). The decision to disband the Madrid youth council is a national competence. The Commission promotes youth participation through, inter alia, the EU Youth Strategy 2 and its instruments. Support for youth participation and for civil society is available through Erasmus+ 3 and the European Solidarity Corps 4 . The Commission fully supports the principles laid out in the Council Resolution on encouraging political participation of young people in democratic life in Europe 5 , including the need to establish, implement or further develop national, regional and/or local strategies, programmes, structures or other relevant mechanisms for enhancing the political participation of all young people. The youth check only applies to policy initiatives of the Commission 6 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A12016ME%2FTXT 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:C:2018:456:FULL 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32021R0817 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32021R0888 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A42015Y1215%2802%29 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A52024DC0001”
  Rule of law in Spain
• 2024-12-13 “P-002374/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission respects the autonomy of sport and promotes gender equality as well as a safe environment in sport, including the fight against any form of discrimination through the European Union Work Plan for Sport (2024-2027) 1 . The Commission supports inclusion and diversity through the Erasmus+ programme 2 . The Commission has no legal competence to intervene in national decisions and actions as regards the issue in question, in accordance with Article 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Commission can however promote fairness and openness in sporting competitions and cooperation between bodies responsible for sports and protect the physical and moral integrity of people in sport. The Commission promotes equality for all in the EU. As the Gender Equality Strategy recalls 3 , women and men, and girls and boys, in all their diversity, are free to pursue their chosen path in life, have equal opportunities to thrive, and can equally participate in and lead the European society. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C_202403527 2 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/ 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52020DC0152”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “It's a tool that is designed to help us systematically analyze and look into all the major initiatives that are adopted in the Commission work programme every year, and when we assess them, if there is a significant and disproportionate impact on youth, we have further consultations, we have specific impact assessments focusing on youth, and we want to make sure that we implement this to reach as many proposals as possible. In some cases, we've even gone beyond the major initiatives. And I'll give you one example here. Two examples. Actually, the Culture Compass for Europe is one of the initiatives where we've implemented a new check. Even though this was not one of the major initiatives outlined in the Commission Work Programme and the Cyber Bullying Action Plan, which we are talking about today, and with this, I want to make a mention of the issue that was raised in relation to parents and the worry that parents face when it comes to dealing with children and their activity in online spaces. In my experience, parents are the most anxious. They they feel helpless because they have. They desire more information about how to react about what's going on in the digital spaces. And this is something that we try to cover through education and building digital literacy across our societies, not just focusing on on on younger people. Digital literacy remains the key for this.”
  Focus of EU policy on education (shaping workers vs citizens)
• “At the same time, we have to avoid fragmentation in the digital single market. And there are a number of member states. There are few member states who have decided to put in place or announce measures already. For me, it is crucial that we coordinate the advice from experts should come before summer of 2025 and then we can take a decision on the next steps at this stage. Nothing is excluded and nothing should be excluded, including the possibility for there to be a legislative intervention on this issue if this is deemed and considered necessary. It's also important to make a distinction between platforms. We need tailored approaches according to the kind of of platform that we are dealing with. And this is something that was strongly emphasized by young people in our consultations as part of the President's Youth Advisory Board. With this, I want to go directly to the Cyberbullying Action Plan, and this is an action plan that is designed to save lives, literally. Stronger together means that we are safer online And the internet has to be. It must be a safe space, a place where young people can grow, where they can learn, and where they can be connected to one another. For many across Europe, for many young people, especially across Europe, the internet continues to be a tool. And we should see it as such.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Dear Minister Abodi, Dear Minister Bidnyi, Fellow panellists, Ladies and gentlemen, Let me start by thanking Minister Abodi and Minister Bidnyi – caro Andrea, dear Matvii,– for hosting this event. Vi ringrazio per l'invito. I'm delighted to see the central role this Conference gives to the human dimension of Ukraine's recovery and resilience. Engaging young people – through sport and other activities – is vital to mobilising Ukraine's human capital. In times of peace and war. Allow me to share a thought-provoking insight by President Zelenskyy during last month's NATO Summit. When asked by an 11-year-old correspondent for a message to young people, the President replied: “We wish only for peace […] You are our future. And I think you are a basis for peace in the world”. President Zelenskyy's words serve as a compelling reminder. Of young Ukrainians' contribution to driving your country's recovery and steering it towards European integration. During my visits to Ukraine, I experienced first-hand the power of Ukrainian youth. I will never forget the photos on the walls of Lviv's City Hall of amputees practicing sport. These young Ukrainians did not let the physical scars of Russia's cruel war crush their spirit. They are using sport to recover both physically and psychologically. They are role models for Ukrainians and Europeans, and a living message to the Russian aggressor: We, Ukraine's future, are a shining example of resilience. And we will prevail. They are living the slogan of Lviv Capital of Youth 2025: Not easy, but move. And with them the entire country is moving. I experienced this first hand in Lviv. Russian bombs did not stop the enthusiasm for the Lviv European Youth Capital 2025. Young Ukrainian heroes made it possible. Including those who did not live to see it, like Yaryna Bazylevych, whose memorial I visited when I was in Lviv. Yaryna was a 21-year-old youth activist. Who dedicated her time to support Lviv's work as European Youth Capital. She was killed in a Russian drone attack together with her mother and two sisters. Yaryna was robbed of her life whilst helping shape Ukraine's European future. The youth of Lviv and Ukraine are honouring her legacy by being resilient and continuing her work. By being a people and a nation unbroken. Unbroken, as the name of the EU co-funded programme by the Municipality of Lviv. An initiative of more than 20 projects, which so far has offered treatment to over 19,000 wounded Ukrainians. The EU is proud to support Ukraine in driving its recovery and resilience. By harnessing the power of youth and sport. Last year, to further support these efforts, we opened our Erasmus+ programme to Ukraine. To take part in our youth and sport Capacity-Building actions. These innovative transnational projects equip Ukrainians to better contribute to Ukraine's resilience and recovery. Under last year's call, nine youth Capacity-Building projects were selected for funding. So far, 2 million euro in grants have been contracted. Among these projects is ‘PACT'. With an EU grant of almost 300,000 euro, PACT is addressing the trauma inflicted on young Ukrainians. Together, project partners have co-created a manual on providing psychological first aid. And they are using techniques, such as art therapy, to promote Ukrainians' well-being. To deepen our cooperation, we strive to fully associate Ukraine to Erasmus+ as soon as possible. So that together we can take full advantage of the opportunities the programme provides. To strengthen Ukraine's resilience and lay the foundations for a brighter future. This work includes actions in the field of sport. Be it in international competitions, or through the many projects we support. As European Commissioner for Sport, I will continue to convey the message to our partners. That our Union's fundamental values – peace, freedom and democracy – are non-negotiable. I will make it clear that no international competition should offer countries that do not respect these principles the chance to spread their propaganda. In these extremely challenging circumstances, Ukraine is demonstrating to the world its ability to establish a robust youth and sport ecosystem. I congratulate you on this achievement, against all odds. Allow me to also thank the Ministers and representatives of EU Member States here with us today for your unwavering support to Ukraine. Together, seizing the power of youth and sport, we are striving for a peaceful future for the Ukrainian people. To the young people, whose lives have been cut short or put on hold by Russia's brutal war. We thank you for your enormous sacrifice. It will not be in vain. Your resilience is moving a nation towards recovery and a bright future in the EU.”
  EU-Ukraine relations
• “Thank you. Chair. Dear and dear members of of the Committee. Dear friends. Simpler. Faster. Stronger. It sounds like the lyrics from the Daft Punk song, but actually, these are the principles that underpin our proposal for the next MFF, a proposal that aims to unleash €2 trillion in investment for people in cities and regions and in member states, with a simpler architecture and a focus on policy driven delivery, and with stronger performance, transparency and oversight at the core of its implementation. This is politics expressed in numbers, reflecting choices, but also our priorities that will define the direction that the Union takes in the future. Now, we all know this challenging circumstances in which we must decide on the next long term budget. We have war in our eastern neighbourhood. We have trade tensions. We have technological shifts and unprecedented President, the threats to the global rules based order. And in this context, the MFF proposal seeks to strike a balance supporting policies that have proven successful while responding also to emerging challenges and new priorities when it comes to my portfolio. I am very pleased that this proposal places young people, sport, culture and democratic life at its core. It is a crucial tool to turn our political mission into tangible results for children better protected, enjoying enhanced access to culture and heritage for students seeking mobility, opportunities for young people eager to be active citizens, or to engage in voluntary work for artists promoting their work across Europe.”
  Size of EU budget
• “Thank you, Mr. President. Honourable members. Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine is a brutal one. It is targeting a sovereign nation, and it's a war that is going far beyond any battlefield. It's a war that's being fought with conventional means, but it is also a hybrid war, a war that is targeting identity, culture and memory. Ukrainian cities continue to be attacked, cultural heritage Deliberately destroyed. And with this, a coordinated campaign of disinformation, propaganda and misinformation is actively being pursued. Now, as this war continues, we have a clear choice whether we want to maintain our resolve to hold Russia accountable, or whether we will allow a gradual normalization for us. And for me, this is clear. Normalization is not reconciliation, and silence is not neutrality. Silence is complicity, allowing Russia to use sport and culture as platforms for propaganda while its aggression continues, sends a very dangerous signal that such actions can be tolerated. This is a false neutrality that the European Union cannot accept. What we are seeing here. What we are seeing here is a clear attempt to weaponize sport and culture for legitimacy. Since the start of this war, the European Union has stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. We can never match the sacrifice the Ukrainian people are doing, but our support has always been consistent on a financial, on a political as well as on an administrative level.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Just to mention one of these tools, the Youth Policy Dialogues, are proving to be very useful and greatly appreciated by young people and commissioners alike. And so is the youth check. Looking ahead, I want to strengthen the link between the youth policy dialogues and the youth check to increase the effectiveness of both. And I believe that this will add value to the sectoral work being done by my colleagues in college, for example, to the work on quality employment and affordable housing being done by Roxana and Dan respectively. Another area of my portfolio that is closely linked to the work of this committee are the ongoing efforts to advance the objectives of the EU strategy on the rights of the child. I am working to strengthen synergies between opportunities for youth and child participation in democratic processes, and I will continue to advocate for children to be better protected in all our work. The upcoming initiatives aimed at eradicating poverty must devote specific attention to children. It is to me, unacceptable that a quarter of European children are still at risk of poverty and the child guarantee must be strengthened. No child should be left behind. And if we want to prevent intergenerational transmission of poverty, this is where we have to start. And a key action to uphold children's rights, especially the right to be protected, will be our action plan against cyberbullying, which will be launched early next year.”
  Focus of EU policy on education (shaping workers vs citizens)
• “Dear president and honourable members, the European Union continues to be globally a frontrunner when it comes to the protection of children's rights. This is reflected in both our legal but also in our policy frameworks. The flagship legislation Here is the Digital Services Act. This ensures a safety by default approach a safer internet by setting very high standards for the protection and the empowerment of all minors online. And this is the strongest tool that we have in our arsenal. And we have shown that the Commission has shown time and again that it is not afraid to use it. Everyone can already see what real implementation looks like. From TikTok to grok and more recently with meta, the commission has acted swiftly and without hesitation. I would like here from this podium to thank our services in the Commission for their dedicated work. To thank my colleague, Executive Vice President Hanna Vauhkonen, for her strong and firm stance on this important file. This is what credibility looks like in practice, setting the rules and enforcing them. But the commission is not stopping there. We understand that we have a duty and a responsibility to provide clarity on what the obligations in our laws mean, on what we expect. This is why the Commission has developed a blueprint for an age verification solution. This is based on the highest possible standards when it comes to privacy and data protection. And yesterday, as a college of Commissioners, we adopted a recommendation that paves the way for this to be accessible to all European citizens on their devices.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Then on Erasmus again, Erasmus needs no introduction. It's become synonymous with the European Union, and it should be as accessible as possible for everyone and for people coming from different backgrounds. Um, I know for a fact that there are specific measures of support for young people coming from, with fewer opportunities in their backgrounds to be able to access this program. This is a question of the way the program is implemented, and if we could make these stronger, of course, then there should be a discussion, uh, to to explore what the options are to, to have more young people access, uh, this, this, this fantastic program. Mark, I remember when we first met, this alma was the first thing we talked about. And it remains in my head. Aim. Learn, master. Achieve, uh, this fantastic program which encourages mobility of young people, again with fewer opportunities in their background as well, to have vocational educational experiences and mobility opportunities. Uh, I will take this up with the EVP as well. Uh, the idea of looking at the program and seeing, its successes and where we could build on, on, on such successes. Because I think it's a concrete example of how we can make the union more accessible to people coming from, from, from such backgrounds. So we have absolute and full support from my end in this respect.”
  Focus of EU policy on education (shaping workers vs citizens)
• “Thank you. In the area of youth participation, we have not one but several tools at our disposal. Each of them have different stakeholders which we engage with. I want to mention a few. So we have the EU Youth Huge stakeholders group, which is made up of youth organisations, in some cases youth councils, but also youth organisations. From a broader sense, we have academia, think tanks, policymakers and member states represented in this group. And this this is a forum where we have exchanges on policy initiatives. Then there is the President's Youth Advisory Board, which will be convening quite soon, and that will be made up of national youth councils, which represent, uh, youth in the different member states and who are independent bodies representing and advancing youth rights. The youth policy dialogues that we've had with commissioners were a little bit more flexible in terms of of the way they're organised. We've had guidelines given to the commissioners encouraging inclusive representation as much as possible. Some of them happened in Brussels, some happened in member states, some happened in regions. And there were a diverse representation of of young people that participated and contributed ideas in in these dialogues, we've had dialogues in capital cities, in regions, in universities, in cultural institutions. I had one of my dialogues in focusing on social inclusion through culture and sport happening in Athens, where we've had people from all across Europe. So these are different tools that give us the opportunity to interact with different stakeholders beyond, uh, beyond the ones that we have in universities or in, in, in, in think tanks. And, and commissioners were given the flexibility to invite whoever they wanted for these dialogues as long as they were inclusive in their organization. So, uh, there I think the objective is, is one that we've managed to reach on youth mobility. The main programme there is Erasmus+ when it comes to mobility, which is something we want to widen as much as possible to reach as many youth as, as as possible, not just those in tertiary education or in, in, in in university. So.”
  Focus of EU policy on education (shaping workers vs citizens)
• “I continue to believe that protecting people online is a moral duty and a collective responsibility that we have, and it's one that the Commission takes very, very seriously. Recent decisions that we've taken to put to work our legal framework, our clear evidence of this. And here I want to mention the extension of the investigation of X into grok, the publication of the preliminary results on the tick tock investigation on addictive design of this platform, the investigation into Sheen under the DSA. And these are some examples of how seriously the Commission is taking this issue of our strong commitment to safeguard and protect Europeans and minors in online spaces. The first thing that I want to say here on this issue is that protection should never be mistaken for exclusion of young people or citizens from online spaces. So I want to make a reflection on this issue on the minimum age of consent when it comes to social media. For me, it's very clear that it is for parents and not for algorithms to raise children in, in, in our society. And this is exactly why the Commission has set up an expert group to give advice on this issue, because the well-being of the youngest members of our society should never be something that we experiment with, and we should take decisions based on expert advice.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “It's a tool that is designed to help us systematically analyze and look into all the major initiatives that are adopted in the Commission work programme every year, and when we assess them, if there is a significant and disproportionate impact on youth, we have further consultations, we have specific impact assessments focusing on youth, and we want to make sure that we implement this to reach as many proposals as possible. In some cases, we've even gone beyond the major initiatives. And I'll give you one example here. Two examples. Actually, the Culture Compass for Europe is one of the initiatives where we've implemented a new check. Even though this was not one of the major initiatives outlined in the Commission Work Programme and the Cyber Bullying Action Plan, which we are talking about today, and with this, I want to make a mention of the issue that was raised in relation to parents and the worry that parents face when it comes to dealing with children and their activity in online spaces. In my experience, parents are the most anxious. They they feel helpless because they have. They desire more information about how to react about what's going on in the digital spaces. And this is something that we try to cover through education and building digital literacy across our societies, not just focusing on on on younger people. Digital literacy remains the key for this.”
  Role of education (social change vs. tradition)
• “Mr. president, and thank you to the members for this exchange. And it's quite clear for me and for whoever was part of this, this discussion, that this is work focusing on saving lives. It is very clear also what our vision is in this respect. We know that globally and around the world, people are watching at us. People are watching what we do in relation to the digital world. And Europe will continue to set an example globally. Europe will be a place where every child, every young person, every woman, every person with a disability who is targeted, especially in the digital world, can grow in a safe environment. Europe is a place that will continue to be guided by values where people are protected, supported and empowered to thrive in the digital world Where their fundamental rights are respected, but we also have to step up to make our tools work even better. Our focus as a commission is to deliver concrete results. The action plan that we have presented in February is about protection and empowerment. We are equipping children, parents, educators and communities with the tools that they need to prevent cyberbullying, to report it and to respond effectively to it. We are also strengthening support systems so that no child is left behind when facing abuse.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “I will not spoil any surprises yet, but this will come hopefully next month. This is my intention is to propose it next month and there again, working conditions of artists will be one of my core priorities. And I have to mention that when we are speaking about the priorities of our funding, where our funding will go to, these are clearly outlined in the text of the legal proposal. So again, and I would like to mention them, just for clarity, the cultural strand will focus mostly on the following areas on cross border creation and collaboration across borders. On improving access and participation in culture. On supporting the circulation, distribution and promotion of European cultural content. On strengthening the capacity and skills of the cultural and creative sectors, on promoting cultural policy development. On advancing the Union's international cultural relations, and on supporting the implementation of our decisions. But one final point that I want to mention, which is a novelty in this regulation and this, I think, addresses directly your point. It's that this new proposed regulation shall be carried out, and this is now in the text of the legal proposal, in full respect of the freedom of artistic expression. So now this is enshrined in our legal proposal, but also it will contribute to the improvement of working conditions of artists and creative professionals. So these are preconditions that we now put in, in, in the text of of our proposals. So with that, I think we've addressed the questions with one hour to spare, one minute to spare.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “Minister Murray, Dear Ian, thank you for your friendship. And thank you for this fruitful and forward-looking exchange we have just had. The European Union and the United Kingdom have a lot in common. We stand shoulder to shoulder on many issues. Practical cooperation builds connections. Like our recent agreement that brings the United Kingdom back to Erasmus+. An agreement that, from 2027 onwards, reopens the door to new experiences and lasting friendships for young people. It reflects a shared belief that our relationship is not built solely on technical cooperation, but on personal connections. Culture connects us. It binds our societies and brings them closer together. We welcome a more constructive chapter in our relationship. One grounded in regular engagement and practical cooperation. And a broader commitment to cultural cooperation. That is why cultural cooperation, of which Erasmus+ is one expression, is so actively supported and deeply valued by both the European Union and the United Kingdom. Today's meeting comes against an international environment marked by uncertainty. In times like these, the need for unity with like-minded partners is greater than ever. But our strength goes beyond alliances or strategy. It is also in who we are. Our resilience, our identity, and the values we will always defend, just as the generations before us defended theirs. A key part of our discussion focused on Ukraine. The Union remains determined to continue supporting Ukraine. This war is not being fought only on the battlefield. It is also waged against the soul of a nation. Against its culture, its memory, and its identity. Last week, in my meeting with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Tetyana Berzhovna, I was reminded of the devastating impact this war is having on Ukraine's heritage, its artists, and its cultural sector. It is in response to this that the European Union remains committed to supporting Ukraine. This includes targeted aid to preserve and protect its cultural heritage and creative community. Since the beginning of the war, the Union mobilised over 50 million euros in support of Ukraine's cultural and creative sectors and heritage. Alongside European Commission initiatives, the Team Europe approach has brought together 76 actions from 24 Member States. This reflects our commitment to protect what binds people together. I am pleased to announce that the Commission will increase its support with an additional 250,000 euros. This funding will help Ukraine strengthen its capacity in disaster and crisis risk management. It will support emergency response efforts. And it will ensure that cultural sites, archives, and works of art can be protected, even under the most difficult circumstances. I also welcome the United Kingdom's strong commitment and efforts. Together, we show that in defending culture and values, we are stronger. More broadly, Minister Murray and I had a constructive discussion on international cultural relations. In a world that is becoming more polarised, cooperation in culture is a strategic necessity. Supporting multilateralism is part of that. Initiatives such as the Culture Compass show us what is possible. They show how we can build stronger partnerships and deliver greater impact together. With partners like the United Kingdom, we ensure that culture remains at the heart of our global engagement. And let us be clear about the political dimension of this work. Culture is one of our most effective shields against extremism. It creates space for dialogue where politics alone cannot. It fosters mutual understanding and bridges divides. And it reminds us of our shared humanity at a time when division is amplified. Strengthening the role of culture means strengthening peace. It means reinforcing multilateralism. It means upholding the values that unite us: democracy, freedom of expression, and respect for diversity. These are not abstract ideas. Culture sustains them every day. So when we invest in culture, we are supporting artists. We are preserving heritage. We are also investing in stability. We are investing in resilience. And we are investing in our shared future.”
  EU-UK relations
• “So I'll start with the question on on the cultural sector in Europe, because I firmly believe that culture is one of our strong points in this European Union. And I continuously say that Europe is a global cultural powerhouse. We are home to the largest number of Unesco World Heritage Sites anywhere in the world. Europe is the continent which has such a diverse array of traditions, of languages, of customs, of music. Uh, so this is actually our strong point. And if we want to have resilient societies, it starts with culture. So to me, culture is well-being. Culture is inclusion. Culture is competitiveness. But culture is about promoting and preserving values. And inclusion is one of the values which is enshrined in our treaties, which is for us a non-negotiable value of the European Union. Uh, it's one of the values that we promote and mainstream through all our actions, Including in the regulation for the next Creative Europe. Uh, the promotion of inclusion, the participation, the access to culture and cultural heritage for young people, but also for people with with coming with fewer background, fewer opportunities in their background continues to be, uh, a fundamental priority for us in the Agora EU. If you look at article five, for example, of the Agora EU, this is one of the cornerstones of the proposal. And for us, this is something which gives us an immense sense of pride.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “We will make fairness a reality by increasing solidarity and engagement between people of all ages and backgrounds, and our response will require a coherent approach on issues from social welfare to housing to long term care. What I want is that this initiative helps to consolidate the mindset of future proof policy in all our work, one that ensures that intergenerational fairness is factored when all policies are being drafted. Because development and prosperity should be realities for all generations. And it doesn't matter whether the generation is inhabiting the world now or whether it will do so in the future. The good news in all this is that we need not reinvent the wheel, because most of the actions that we take as a union already have these principles at heart. And if I had to mention one example of a union exercise which promotes this thinking and which is surely known to this committee, it would definitely be the European Semester process. It is a process which is, in its essence, a fiscal consolidation coordination exercise, but whose primary goal is to ensure adequacy and sustainability of our greatest asset, which is our social system. Making this exercise an intergenerational fairness reality in practice. Through this strategy, the priority will be to embed this commitment more firmly across all our work.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “Dear friends of sport, sport organisations, federations, coaches, athletes, and public authorities, Good morning. It is a pleasure to open this second day of the 2026 EU Sport Forum. I am happy to have seen some of you already this morning in our run. This is the best way to start the day isn't it? By being active! This forum brings together people who care deeply about sport, as I do. So today, I want to speak frankly and openly. As one does with friends. Starting by setting the context. Because this helps us understand the responsibility that sport carries. Right now, the world is marked by instability, uncertainty, and conflict. In Kyiv, everyday life has been reshaped by the war. We are also witnessing instability in the Middle East. Today, we are in Cyprus, just around 300 kilometres from Beirut. A place where more than a million people have been displaced. Where families have been uprooted, and people were killed. We are not far from these realities. I know that the Lebanese Minister is here with us today. She can speak far better than I can, about what this means on the ground. For those who have lost homes, For those who have lost loved ones, Or those going through tough times in their lives, Sport can offer a sense of normality. A basketball, A football, or a volleyball, takes a completely different meaning. It offers a sense of belonging. Hope. Now, you will hear that sport should remain separate from politics. I agree. Completely. But as stakeholders in sport, you all know that public support, political and financial, is essential. I see it as our public duty to support your work. Because what you do for public health, education and for people, goes far beyond the boundaries of any sports field. That support comes without strings attached. Absolutely. But that does not mean we remain silent on governance, or on the misuse of sport. Because while sport has not sought to compromise politics, too often, politics has compromised sport. There are some examples which speak volumes about this. The 1936 Summer Olympics remain a dark stain on the Olympic Movement. The 1978 FIFA World Cup stands as another example. Football was then used to distract from repression and human rights abuses. These are important lessons for the sporting movement. A sporting movement that will be judged again. This time, by how it responds to the challenges of today. So, my question today is simple. Are you comfortable being associated with aggression and violations of international law? Or will you stand for peace, justice, and freedom, as the sporting world once did in its stand against apartheid in South Africa? Because ultimately, this is what you will be judged on. Let me now turn to the 2026 Winter Olympics. In a few moments we will hear from Kirsty Coventry. An Olympic Champion, President of the IOC and a friend. These were the first Olympic Games I saw in person. And they were fantastic. Italy delivered Games that were well organised, making Italians and Europe proud. A true celebration of excellence, of friendship, and of human potential. I saw joy, emotion, and unity. The very essence of what sport represents. And seeing the European flag alongside national flags was for me particularly emotional. For me, these Games were also full-circle moment. I was able to see what we so often talk about in these halls. Fans from all corners of the world, sharing the same space, sharing emotions, and having a great time. Athletes striving to win and inspiring fans all over the world. This is exactly why our cooperation with the Olympic movement matters. It is built on shared beliefs. And more importantly on a common commitment to promoting sport for all. Over the past year and a half, we have worked closely together and there's so much more that we can do. On education, on strengthening grassroots sport, and on ensuring that our values are upheld in practice. This brings me to my vision for sport. The European Commission will soon present its Communication on the European Sport Model. This model is the foundation of our sporting ecosystem. It's what ensures that sport in Europe remains fair, accessible, and rooted in communities. That is why we defend it so strongly. And why strengthening it must remain a priority. This model is under pressure. From poor governance. From excessive commercialisation. From profit-driven breakaway competitions. From ownership structures that risk disconnecting clubs from the communities that built them. This does not mean we resist change. But it does mean we must shape it. And let me be equally clear: this Communication will not solve everything. Our competences in sport, defined by the Treaties, are what they are. But within those limits, we can still do a lot. We must support sport through investment. We have to recognise its role in health, education, and social cohesion. And we must mobilise and organise to use our voice. To call out decisions that risk distancing sport from its communities, while recognising those who put fans first. When matches were at risk of being moved thousands of kilometres away from supporters, I made it clear that this was not acceptable. And I welcome those that some leagues listened and reconsidered. There are also other positive examples to build on from governing bodies like FIBA, the EHF, and UEFA, whose “Fans First” approach shows that it is possible to put supporters at the centre from the outset. Because ultimately, these debates come down to a simple question: who is sport for? And it is a question on which we must continue to be clear and to speak out. Let me also highlight other priorities I want to focus on in this Communication, beyond issues related to excessive commercialisation. There are four priorities that I want to focus on today. If there is one word that the sport movement and stakeholders agree on, it is this. The sporting pyramid depends on this support, from elite to grassroots. With a few exceptions, notably European football, this is increasingly becoming a fiction. And it is the grassroots organisations that feel it first. But over time, this will also negatively impact elite sport in Europe. Second: Volunteers. Anyone who has been part of a sports organisation knows what volunteers mean to sport. In my childhood football club, I remember a man called Joseph. He used to help raise funds, set up sessions, organise training, and coordinate logistics. People like him are unsung heroes of sport. Today, especially after COVID, we are facing a volunteering crisis in Europe. It is quiet, structural and underreported. Third: Athlete welfare. Especially the mental wellbeing of athletes. This is a governance test for the sporting movement. Athletes at elite and semi-professional levels are increasingly vocal about burnout, overcrowded match calendars, social media scrutiny, and inadequate psychological support. Finally, fourth: funding and support. EU funding can be used to support infrastructural investment. EU health funding must better integrate sport. EU social funding should also support sport. But the main implementing instrument for this Communication remains Erasmus+. We need stable, predictable funding to support grassroots sport. To conclude this point, I want to thank all of you who contributed to the consultations. We listened carefully, because we wanted to build this together with you. Before I conclude, I have two further points. First: the Council Recommendation on Health-Enhancing Physical Activity. Since 2013, this helped Member States put in place national policies promoting physical activity. WHO Europe reports show progress in implementation. The number of agreed indicators being met increased over the past decade. But there's still much more to do. Half of Europeans still do not engage in any form of regular physical activity. And in many countries, the trend is not improving. I come from the most obese country in Europe. [2 out of every 3 adults are overweight or obese. And for children the numbers are even more shocking.] Honestly, I struggle to understand this. When people are unfit and unhealthy, we have a wellbeing crisis on our hands. So with this revision, we want to ensure that our common framework is fit for today's reality. We have already started consultations and preparatory work with WHO and HEPA focal points. Our objective is to adopt this early next year. Second: Europe Day and the European Week of Sport. First of all, thank you for making the 10th European Week of Sport a tremendous success. I now want 2026 to be even bigger. And then Europe Day. This is when we celebrate Europe itself. Last year, the most striking examples of this celebration were El Clásico. [I would say that it is the only celebration people still remember today.] Two clubs coming together to show their commitment to Europe and its values, flying the European flag with pride on one of the biggest sporting stages in the world. This year, I want more. I want to see this spirit spread across the continent. From Cyprus to Portugal. Across all sports. From football to basketball and aquatics. Around Europe Day, I want to see the yellow stars of Europe visible in stadiums, in arenas, and in local clubs. In conclusion, I want to thank you all for your dedication, trust, criticism, the engagement and the open dialogue we have. Never underestimate how important sport is. Because while rules help organise Europe, it is people that hold it together. And for our people, sport plays a significant role in their lives, giving them purpose and belonging. That is why I am grateful to be part of this conversation with you. Thank you.”
  Broadcasting of sports events
• “So thank you for for your question. I'll start with the Youth Guarantee, because I think the youth guarantee is a fantastic example of a union policy that has moved us in the right direction when it comes to incorporating young people better in our working, uh, in our in our labor markets. Um, it's a wonderful idea to give young people opportunities in employment, in education or through training if they find themselves in a prolonged situation where they are inactive. And if you look at the numbers, this has led to a reduction in youth unemployment rates in Europe over the last decade. Yet the general rate of unemployment is almost half the rate of unemployment amongst youth, uh, at the moment. So it shows that there is still a lot of work to be done. I can mention also some initiatives that the Commission has been taking, taking over the last months. In this respect, the Union of Skills is one of the fantastic examples on which my colleague, Roxana Manzato, has been working in this area to invest in skills and education and opportunities which increase the opportunities for young people, as well as the upcoming Quality Jobs roadmap. These are some of the initiatives that the Commission is committed to in the next few months, and this is work where we will need a lot of support also from institutional partners, including the European Parliament.”
  Youth employment & training
• “So we need to have a little bit of a reflection on this. I want to keep my doors open to dialogue, to engagement, to try and find a solution on this. But for me, one key principle continues to be fundamental and continues to be the answer of the challenges that European basketball faces, and that is the European sport model with its pyramidal system. So that is clear. Then on on on sport, more broadly and in general, I, I just come back from the Olympic Games and the Olympic Games have been, as I said, a wonderful celebration of sporting excellence, of friendship, promoting inclusion, promoting peace, promoting solidarity. So this is undoubted on, on, on on this I think we are like minded just to make sure that I am very clear on, on, on what I have said in, in, in my introductory statements. I am not advocating for bans based on nationality bans that go against sporting merit or discriminating with anyone based just on the nationality that they hold or the passport. But there is also a public safety, a public security issue that we need to be reflecting on when it comes to displaying symbols of aggressors in Member states. And this is something which worries me, but also worries public policy makers across the board.”
  Broadcasting of sports events
• “The Beactive campaign, uh, the campaigns, the European Week of Sport to encourage physical activity, but also support for member states to invest in infrastructure that encourages people to engage in physical activity on a on a daily basis. And I want to give a concrete example. I come here to this this dialogue from Planeta from Slovenia, the biggest investment in ski jumping in infrastructure related to ski jumping in Europe, supported by European funding. If you look around in Slovenia and I mentioned this because this is where I just come from now. Infrastructure, encouraging pedestrians, pedestrian spaces for people to be able to move, cycling parts, public infrastructure for sport. And these are the kinds of projects that we want to support member states in delivering, also through the support of European funds. So I completely agree that we have to make this support and encourage it much more, also with the support of the European Union. And there are other examples that I am sure you're familiar with from, from different member states when it comes to cyberbullying and the action plan and the issue of age verification. The white label application is being piloted as we speak in six member states. This is linked to the digital identity wallet. I know that France and Italy are amongst those two member states, and hopefully this will set us up to employ a wider instrument that reaches even even more member states.”
  Broadcasting of sports events
• “On the piracy of sports events the Commission has just published now its assessment of the implementation of the recommendation that was was adopted in 2023. And I think it's quite clear and outlined in this recommendation that there is still a lot of work to do, and that this was not as effective as we hoped it would be. In addressing the issue of, of piracy of, of live sports events. The estimates that I've seen from the EU Intellectual Property Office from 2021 is that around 900, no, €90 billion. €900 million are being lost every year as a result of of €900 million being lost every year as a result of of piracy. This is money that is literally stolen from sports, from the development of, of youth infrastructure, from development of of grassroots sport and from our communities. So there I hope that we move beyond dynamic injunctions. We move beyond what there is in the recommendation, and that we have something stronger to combat this issue, in parallel to the work we do to improve the offers, the legal offers for people to be able to access sport. I want to also address the question on the youth check, because the check is something which we've started implementing, uh, from the last, uh, from the last commission work programme.”
  Broadcasting of sports events
• “We are clearly laying down the actions that we expect from member states, and we are defining an EU wide governance. Moreover, the president has now convened a special panel on child safety online and on potential age restrictions. The panel brings together experts from the medical, tech and education sectors. They are also joined by youth, by children and by parents representatives, and they are currently assessing what more can be done at a European level. They are constantly in touch also with the European Parliament intergroup on children's rights and their recommendations will come before the summer. Because let us make no mistake, this is an issue that needs our urgent attention. With a quarter of children aged between 12 and 17 years of age, 25% of children in Europe experiencing cyberbullying. We have to act quickly. Behind each of these numbers is a person. Behind each of these numbers is a parent, a son, a daughter, and a precious life. So we cannot afford to hear more heartbreaking stories like the one of Coco, which this chamber heard about last month, and we need to act fast. So yes, the Commission agrees with you, honourable members, that cyberbullying is a serious threat to young people and to their well-being. This is why, as a college, we sent a strong message with the dedicated action plan on cyberbullying. Stronger. Together. Safer. Online. We included therein, for the first time, a common understanding of cyberbullying. A definition. Because understanding creates awareness and awareness helps to break stigma and to effectively address this issue.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Now Erasmus+ is the flagship programme of the European Union. The new proposal keeps a strong EU dimension, supporting mobility for young people to contribute to society and to build resilience. But it also recognises the crucial role of volunteering by emerging the European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+. We ensure these priorities remain visible, accessible and inclusive. And last but not least, sport in this room. We all agree that sport holds an enormous and an immense power. Sport improves cohesion, sport improves well-being, sport promotes inclusion, and sport promotes solidarity. And I'm delighted that the new Erasmus+ widens opportunities in sport, fully integrating sport and youth in both general and specific objectives of the programme for the first time ever. This translates our convictions into concrete empowerment for these initiatives. Successful youth centred projects. Supporting coaches and volunteers will now be complemented by support for athletes and participants, with an increased focus on grassroots sports. So to conclude, honourable members, Agora EU is a positive leap forward for the cultural sectors in Europe. It enables us to use all tools at our disposal for more consistent, coherent and effective programming to fund culture, to defend culture, to promote culture and to live culture. So thank you for your attention, for your attention. I look forward to your support and your collaboration in delivering a strong budget, a budget that puts culture, values and resilience at the heart of our union.”
  EU volunteering programs
• “And and then on Special Olympics, you know that Special Olympics has a very special place in my heart as well. This is an organization that literally, literally saves lives. Their impact goes far beyond sport. They're helping people and athletes to be active in society, to have to live healthier lives and to have meaningful contribution to make meaningful contributions to society. I'm happy that we've been able, as a European Union, to support Special Olympics, and if there are ways that we could continue to support them, you know that I'm going to be one of the people who pushes this in, in, in, in our work on the compliance of digital platforms and their contribution to our work on on the combating of cyberbullying, I think digital platforms need to be seen as people who we work with in the situation. We have tools that are disposal. And I mentioned earlier in my opening remarks the legal framework that we have in place, the Digital Services Act, under which we will further update guidelines, binding guidelines on these platforms as to what we expect in relation to the protection of minors and vulnerable citizens in digital spaces. And this is something which we will do, uh, even this year, updating guidelines, which we've adopted this in 2025, giving clear, clear, clear instructions and clear parameters for these these platforms.”
  EU volunteering programs
• “Then, moving on to prevention. Prevention is about understanding. Understanding is about raising and raising awareness, and awareness is what we need to break stigma. We want to ensure that people can prevent harm, but to be able to prevent harm, that then they first need to recognize it when they see it. We want to ensure that people feel safe to speak, to speak up, and that when they do speak up, they don't feel blamed for it. Our proposal here is to invest more on digital skills, on digital literacy. We want to help young people navigate online spaces safely. We want to make sure that they are educated, to spot harm, and to ask for help without fear and without shame. To make this work, we have to have a whole of society approach and we have to team up to scale up. We have to make this work everywhere, using whatever works and whatever we have at our disposal. So we have to use the safer internet centres. We have to use the better internet for kids platform and every tool at our disposal to make sure that this reaches everyone. And this must include clear and practical guidance for educators to help them spot harm, to help them manage these situations, and to make sure that they become one of the first lines of defense in this issue.”
  Role of education (social change vs. tradition)
• “We have acknowledged that what the Ukrainian people are doing is crucial for our democracy, for our freedom, and for our future. And in many sectors, We have mobilized support for Ukraine, including in the cultural sector. In this sector alone, since the start of the war, we have mobilized €50 million to support Ukraine's cultural and creative sectors. Support that has been a vital lifeline to Ukrainian artists and institutions working to preserve national identity while their country is under attack. We are also stepping up our efforts. When Global Partners withdrew the International Centre for the Study and Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property did not stand alone. The European Union stepped in with 250 000 in support through the Red sea project. This strengthens the resilience of cultural heritage against both natural and man made disasters, with a dedicated focus on Ukraine. We are also supporting Ukraine in establishing a dedicated cultural heritage fund, and we are mobilizing like minded partners like the United Kingdom, which has matched our most recent contribution. As commissioner, I have also launched the Team Europe Approach for Cultural Heritage in Ukraine, bringing together 76 pledges from 24 member states as well as the commission. At this point, I also want to say a few words about the most recent developments. What we are facing now is a situation that risks undermining all our efforts. This is not new.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “I'll stick to my time going forward. So when it comes to the you check, this is a tool that we have to give young people a voice systematically in all our policies. We started with the implementation of the youth check as from 2025, from the beginning of this mandate, where we systematically screened all the policies and the major initiatives that were in the first annex of the Commission Work programme. My team has been and DGs in the Commission has developed guidelines to determine, uh, relevance for youth of different initiatives. We have over the last years had new checks on almost 25% of all the commission proposals, and we hope to build on that ambition and make this stronger in the next commission work programme. It works in a way that we screen all the policies, we screen all the initiatives. Even initiative is deemed to be relevant for for youth. We have specific consultations with youth and specific impact assessments if need be and where they're needed. Specific on the specifically on the youth impact of of these proposals.”
  Focus of EU policy on education (shaping workers vs citizens)
• “Laura, I have to say, I love your statement and I love your question. Um, and if there is someone who is supportive of the importance of making concrete, significant investments in sport, because this is not we should not see this as a cost. It's an investment. It's an investment in people. It's an investment in wellbeing, physical and mental, physical, because we have in Europe the highest rate of physical inactivity amongst our people, leading to significant costs when it comes to public health expenditures, but also on the mental wellbeing side. You speak of the younger generation and on the time that they spent on on screens. This is having a devastating impact and it's, as you say, directly linked to the crisis, the emergency we have with the half of the younger generation in Europe Up facing issues of anxiety, depression, loneliness and these mental challenges. Now, you mentioned the figure of investment that we've made through Erasmus+ in the last in this budgetary period for contribution of of towards sport, a little bit more than €350 million. Um, and I agree, we need to make more. This is why the proposal for the next Erasmus+ includes even more financial commitment from the European Union. But I want to add to this, because we don't just stop there, we don't stop at the financial contribution and the financial investment in sport through Erasmus+. I want to mention the campaigns we organise with member with member states on an annual basis.”
  Public funding for education
• “On the piracy of sports events the Commission has just published now its assessment of the implementation of the recommendation that was was adopted in 2023. And I think it's quite clear and outlined in this recommendation that there is still a lot of work to do, and that this was not as effective as we hoped it would be. In addressing the issue of, of piracy of, of live sports events. The estimates that I've seen from the EU Intellectual Property Office from 2021 is that around 900, no, €90 billion. €900 million are being lost every year as a result of of €900 million being lost every year as a result of of piracy. This is money that is literally stolen from sports, from the development of, of youth infrastructure, from development of of grassroots sport and from our communities. So there I hope that we move beyond dynamic injunctions. We move beyond what there is in the recommendation, and that we have something stronger to combat this issue, in parallel to the work we do to improve the offers, the legal offers for people to be able to access sport. I want to also address the question on the youth check, because the check is something which we've started implementing, uh, from the last, uh, from the last commission work programme.”
  Broadcasting of sports events
• “Thank you, Madam Chair, and good morning, dear colleagues. As you mentioned, it's been now almost a year since this commission has taken office and since I've been commissioner. And my focus in this time was one, it was to turn the commitments that we made to the European Parliament in our hearings into concrete achievements. And as I said in my hearing, I believe in the power of dialogue that we should make policy together. And this is why my door is always open, why I'm ready to listen. But more importantly, to speak with you, uh, to work in a collaborative way. And I have been working very closely with members of the European Parliament in all the areas of my portfolio, and this is why I wanted to open my remarks here today by welcoming the opportunity to update the Committee on my work so far in the areas of my portfolio, namely on intergenerational fairness, youth, artists and creators. I'll start with intergenerational fairness. The work on the strategy on intergenerational fairness is now well under way, and I plan to present this strategy in the first half of this year. As was outlined in the Commission Work Programme for 2026, in terms of substance, the intergenerational fairness as a concept is a simple idea. It's the idea that the decisions that we're taking now actually strengthen people's opportunities tomorrow. At the same time, The burdens and the benefits must be shared fairly across age groups.”
  Focus of EU policy on education (shaping workers vs citizens)