One year

On 1 December 2024, the second von der Leyen Commission took office with a clear commitment: to make Europe more independent, more competitive and more secure as the world becomes more confrontational. Europe must build on its strengths to remain independent, competitive and secure — and the Commission is committed to delivering exactly that.

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NextGenerationEU, our ambitious recovery plan, has so far disbursed €371.5 billion to Member States in grants and loans, 58% of total funds committed.
The Competitiveness Compass provides a roadmap to boost Europe’s competitiveness and secure its prosperity.
19 AI factories and 13 antennas have been designated across Europe. This is a major step to train advanced AI models in the EU. Over €2.6 billion has been committed so far by the EU and countries participating in the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking.
With the Choose Europe initiative, we are stepping up to become the world’s most attractive destination for researchers and innovators. International participation in our calls have reached unprecedented levels.
Seven simplification packages have been presented to reduce administrative burdens.
We have started delivering on the vision for agriculture and food to support our farmers and guarantee Europe's food sovereignty.
The simplification measures of the Common Agriculture Policy will save farmers €1.6 billion in annual administrative costs and the strategy for generational renewal aims to double the share of young farmers in the EU by 2040.
Trade negotiations have been concluded with Mercosur, Mexico and Indonesia. Substantial progress has been achieved with India, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. Our partnership with Switzerland and the UK has been strengthened and a new clean Trade and investment partnership has been signed with South Africa.
The EU’s climate law now includes an intermediate target for 2040 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% in comparison to 1990 levels. The objective integrates flexibility measures, ensuring that our competitiveness and our climate goals go hand in hand.

The SAFE instrument was adopted in record time. It will provide€150 billion for joint defence procurement, including to buy with, from and for Ukraine. 19 Member States applied for funding and the instrument has been fully subscribed.
With the proposed regulation on military mobility, a 'military Schengen' should be in place by 2027, enabling faster and more coordinated movements of troops and military equipment across Europe.
The preparedness union strategy is developing a culture of preparedness, equipping our societies to cope with current and future challenges.
The critical medicines act proposal and the new strategies on stockpiling and medical countermeasures will help secure essential goods in event of crisis and improve the accessibility of medicines and medical tools.
With the REPowerEU roadmap we will end Europe’s dependence on Russian energy, especially oil, gas, and nuclear fuels.
ProtectEU, the European internal security strategy, is strengthening the EU’s ability to guarantee security for its citizens, with a sharper legal toolbox, increased information sharing and deeper cooperation.
Illegal border crossings decreased by 22% in the first 10 months of 2025, as we continue to support Member States to implement the pact on migration and asylum as of 2026. We launched the first annual migration management cycle and we have proposed a common European system for returns for swifter and more effective return procedures.
We continued to provide political, diplomatic, financial, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine. So far, the total amount provided to Ukraine by the EU and its Member States is €187.3 billion - more than anybody else.
Five new packages of hard-biting sanctions were adopted against Russia and its allies, bringing the total to 19 packages since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. These sanctions are shrinking Russia's resources to wage its war of aggression.

The European democracy shield will boost Europe’s capacity to counter information manipulation and disinformation, strengthen our institutions, protect free elections, independent media, empower Europeans to exercise their rights and engage in democratic life.
The roadmap for women's rights and the LGBTIQ+ equality strategy are empowering all Europeans and ensuring they live free from discrimination.
A youth advisory board was set up to advise the President. College members now hold regular policy dialogues with youth (40 so far) to listen to their priorities and concerns and engage them in shaping policy.

The Commission proposed an ambitious long‑term budget for the 2028-2034 period worth almost €2 trillion, equipping Europe for today's uncertain and crisis-prone world.

It is designed to be more flexible, simpler and more streamlined.

As proposed by the Commission, Moldova and Ukraine will join the EU roaming free area as of 1 January 2026.
Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and North Macedonia joined the Single Euro Payment Area, making bank transfers in euro faster for people and businesses.
Given the accelerated pace of the process for some candidate countries, enlargement is a realistic possibility in the coming years.

With a multiannual support programme, we are providing up to €1.6 billion for the Palestinian Authority backed with a robust and ambitious reform agenda. The EU continues to be the largest provider of humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
The Pact for the Mediterranean will step up cooperation and economic ties in the Mediterranean basin and beyond. It will contribute to building a Common Mediterranean Space that is connected, prosperous and secure.
The Palestine Donor Group was set up to catalyse political support for a viable future Palestinian State and support the implementation of reforms.
Global Gateway has surpassed its target of €300 billion mobilised for investments around the world ahead of time. It could now reach €400 billion by 2027.

Documents

28 NOVEMBER 2025

Second von der Leyen Commission - First year in office

The von der Leyen Commission 2024-2029

Documents