About

Democracy on the European continent is under attack. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a war against democracy itself. Our democracy cannot be taken for granted. It must be nurtured and taken care of every day. This is what the von der Leyen Commission has strived for since the start of its mandate.
Europe’s strength lies in its unity, and this unity is based on our shared democratic values: our commitment to fundamental human rights; the protection of a free and independent press; upholding the rule of law; and equality between women and men, rural and urban, young and old.
Democracies must be worked on and renewed every single day, and this requires citizens to be empowered to speak up. The Conference on the Future of Europe, which concluded on 9 May 2022, has empowered citizens to shape the future of our European Union. The Commission has listened, and is now focused on delivering on their proposals.
Highlight

17 January - The Commission has announced plans to ensure talent is nourished, especially as the EU goes through an important demographic transition. This includes launching the ‘Talent Booster Mechanism', which will support EU regions to train, retain and attract people, the necessary skills and competences to address the impact of this transition. It becomes the first key initiative in 2023 contributing to the European Year of Skills.
Key figures from the Conference on the Future of Europe

European citizens' panels
European citizens participating in transnational panels to make recommendations to the EU on key issues

Conference on the Future of Europe
Empowering citizens to share ideas and help shape our common future

LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025
First-ever EU Strategy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer equality

Ending gender-based violence
Combatting violence against women and domestic violence

The EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child
Ensuring the protection of rights of all children

Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030
Improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Europe and around the world

European Democracy Action Plan
Promoting free and fair elections, strengthening media freedom and countering disinformation

Rule of Law Mechanism
Promoting the rule of law, and preventing and mitigating emerging challenges

European Media Freedom Act
Protecting media pluralism and independence in the EU

Long-term vision for rural areas
Developing stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas and communities
Timeline
- 17 January 2023
Commission announces plans to ensure talent is nourished and launches the ‘Talent Booster Mechanism'.
- 16 December 2022
First European Citizens' Panel as a follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe
- 12 October 2022
Commission kick-starts work on the European Year of Skills
- 19 September 2022
- 16 September 2022
- 13 July 2022
- 28 April 2022
- 1 January 2022
- 9 December 2021
- 25 November 2021
- 20 July 2021
- 30 June 2021
- 17 June 2021
- 29 April 2021
- 24 March 2021
- 4 March 2021
- 27 January 2021
- 3 December 2020
- 13 November 2020
- 12 November 2020
- 30 September 2020
- 18 September 2020
- 9 September 2020
- 17 June 2020
- 24 June 2020
- 24 June 2020
- 5 March 2020
Policy areas
Demography
Looking at the main drivers of demographic change and their impact across Europe
Combatting discrimination
Tackling racism, xenophobia and discrimination on the grounds of age, sexual orientation and gender identity
Countering disinformation
Detecting, analysing and exposing disinformation
Combatting hate speech and hate crime
Building a more inclusive and protective Europe
Have your say on Commission initiatives
Share your views as citizens and businesses on new EU policies and existing laws