European Parliamentary Research Service

🗓️ One week to go until the ESPAS Annual Conference! Ready to explore how Europe can prepare for the world of 2040? Join us online for the biggest EU foresight conference of the year. High-level discussions will focus on: ✔ Europe’s role in a changing global order ✔ Technology and innovation shaping our future ✔ The future of democracy ✔ Intergenerational fairness 🔎 It's time to bring the future into focus. ---- 🗓️ Thursday 13 November 📍 Online - live on the ESPAS website ↓ Programme and speakers: https://lnkd.in/ev3SuB7t #ESPAS #StrategicForesight

🩺 Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the EU, with a worsening trend. The Europe's Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP), presented in February 2021, was a groundbreaking public health programme designed to tackle cancer burden. 🔎 The EPRS study 'Europe's Beating Cancer Plan: Implementation findings' provides insight into the plan's implementation progress from its launch to December 2024. Building on lessons learnt, the study concludes with 17 policy recommendations. 📍Today, EPRS is presenting the findings of the implementation assessment in the European Parliament's Committee on Public Health (SANT). 📖 Read the full study: https://lnkd.in/e-eX48sv ⏯️ Watch the websteaming of the meeting: https://lnkd.in/eQjf2jmE

Many women and girls still struggle to access affordable menstrual products. As a result, menstrual poverty remains a significant socioeconomic issue in the EU. To help address this, the EU VAT Directive allows EU countries to apply reduced or zero VAT rates to sanitary products. While several EU countries have reduced their VAT rates on these products, practices remain quite divergent. Our map shows the national VAT rate on tampons in 2025 across the EU ↓ 📍 This week is the Gender Equality Week at the European Parliament. As part of the week, Parliament's Subcommittee on Tax Matters held today a public hearing on the role of VAT and data bias in combatting period poverty. 📝 Curious to learn more? Read our note: https://lnkd.in/eb6zu9NV 

📆 Happening this week: the European Parliament is holding the 2025 European Gender Equality Week. Many events are organised by Parliament's committees, delegations, political groups and administration. Want to prepare for the discussions? 📑 Our topical digest compiles our publications in various areas related to gender equality ↓ https://lnkd.in/dfrXJ6MR 🔎 Discover the programme: https://lnkd.in/dszx4tFK

📊 The latest infographic on Georgia economic indicators and trade with the EU is out. 🔎 Five key facts: - Georgia achieved a sustained growth rate of 9.4 % in 2024 - Georgia's public debt as a percentage of GDP continues to decline - The EU is Georgia’s primary trading partner, accounting for 22.1 % of its trade share - The EU mainly exports vehicles, aircraft, mechanical appliances, and electrical equipment to Georgia - The EU mainly imports ores, slag, ash, and agri-food from Georgia ❓What other insights are available? Explore the full infographic produced with GlobalStat Knowledge, Governance, Transformations, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies ↓ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gZE676Sz

🍼 What are the rules for voting in national parliaments when a Member is on maternity leave?  Only a few countries, such as Spain, Greece and Luxembourg, have formal provisions allowing Members on maternity leave to vote in absentia. Discussions are ongoing at both European and national level on how to better support Members in balancing their parliamentary duties with family responsibilities. 📝 Read more in our briefing ↓  https://lnkd.in/eadsYY6s

📣 Save the date: ESPAS Annual Conference 2025 Join the biggest EU foresight conference online on 13 November to explore how Europe can prepare for the world of 2040. This flagship event will bring together leading political figures, policymakers, foresight experts, think tanks, and civil society to discuss how Europe can navigate the challenges ahead. Among the speakers will be EP Vice-President Victor NEGRESCU who will open the conference and speak on the challenges and opportunities for Europe leading to 2040, and Mika Aaltola, MEP who will join the discussion on the role for Europe in the world in 2040. High-level debates will focus on: ✔ Europe’s role in a changing global order ✔ Technology and innovation shaping our future ✔ The future of democracy ✔ Intergenerational fairness ---- 🗓️ Thursday 13 November 2025 📍 Webstreaming on the ESPAS website 🔎 Explore the full programme:  https://lnkd.in/ev3SuB7t #ESPAS #StrategicForesight

⏰ Only a few days left to apply for a Schuman traineeship in the European Parliament! Apply before 31 October to join us at EPRS for a 5-month paid traineeship (March - July 2026). 🔎 Who we are EPRS provides comprehensive research and analytical support to Members of the European Parliament, parliamentary committees and Parliament as a whole. ☑️ Why choose a traineeship at EPRS? You will be at the heart of the research and analysis process in the European Parliament. You will learn about the Parliament's workings while honing your skills in your specific area of interest. If you choose a traineeship in one of EPRS’s library units, you will help the parliamentary community find the resources they need for their work. More information ↓  https://lnkd.in/eGF6sARa #SchumanTraineeship

64 % of MEPs held public offices at the local, regional and/or national levels before starting their mandate. What roles did they hold? Mayors, members of city council, members of national parliaments, ministers, and more. 📊 Let's take a look at the figures:   - 41 % of MEPs held offices at the national level, - 24 % at regional level, - 37 % at local level, - 30 % held office at two or all three levels. If you are curious to know:  🔹What is MEPs' average length of experience in their roles? 🔹What is the proportion of male / female MEPs in each level? 🔹What is the breakdown of MEPs who held offices for each committee? 📝 Read our briefing on MEPs' previous public offices: https://lnkd.in/erkdfhJr

🚜 Did you know that in 2020, six in ten farm managers were over 55, while only one in ten were under 40? Young farmers ensure continuity of agricultural production and bring vitality to rural areas. Yet young people going into farming often experience difficulties, including in accessing land, finance and knowledge. 📍 The European Parliament has called for an EU strategy on generational renewal in agriculture, which the European Commission presented this week. What else is the EU is doing to attract young people to farming? 📝 Read our briefing to find out ↓ https://lnkd.in/ei9U8fCk