Explainers

SMEs are the backbone of Europe's industry and economy. The EU is actively working to reinforce their resilience and competitiveness.

The EU has created incentives for producers and consumers to make repairing products easier and more attractive, in order to reduce waste and promote more sustainable business models.

The EU space programme helps carry out everyday activities on Earth. The satellites that the EU sends into orbit allow millions of people to communicate using new technologies, to travel by land, sea and air, and to develop ways to improve the health of our planet.

EU member states' defence expenditure sharply increased between 2021 and 2026. The EU has taken a number of initiatives to complement and amplify member states’ individual efforts, and to boost competitiveness.

The EU's AI act is the world's first law on artificial intelligence. It aims to ensure AI systems are safe, ethical and trustworthy.

At the March 2026 European Council, EU leaders agreed on an agenda of concrete measures with ambitious deadlines to strengthen the EU's competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy. 

SAFE is an EU instrument providing loans of up to €150 billion to help EU member states make rapid and significant increases in their defence investments through common procurement.

How will the EU become more energy efficient? The EU is setting new targets for energy efficiency and savings.

The European climate law makes reaching the EU's climate goal of reducing EU emissions by at least 55% by 2030 a legal obligation. EU countries have adopted new legislation to achieve this goal and make the EU climate-neutral by 2050.

The critical medicines act addresses shortages of key medicines to better meet patient needs and improve the EU’s resilience to health crises.