Showing posts with label European Commission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label European Commission. Show all posts

SOTEU 2025 Recap: Security, solidarity and Europe’s next steps

The 2025 State of the Union (SOTEU) address delivered by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Strasbourg reflected the crises Europe faces and the priorities set for the coming year. From war to social justice and climate goals, her speech underscored the EU’s responsibility to act with unity and determination.

Ukraine and Defence

Von der Leyen opened with the war in Ukraine, stressing that Europe’s commitment “remains unshaken” against Russian aggression. She announced a new initiative for the EU – Readiness 2030 – and confirmed that the EU is exploring ways to channel frozen Russian assets into support for Kyiv. “The EU is the idea of mutual help,” she said.

Gaza and the Middle East

The President also addressed the conflict in Gaza. She proposed the partial suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement, making clear that while civil society support would continue, trade benefits could not remain unchanged in the face of the humanitarian crisis. Von der Leyen called for an immediate ceasefire and pledged EU participation in Gaza’s reconstruction.

Economy, Energy, and Social Policy

Ursula von der Leyen also focused on the cost of living and economic fairness. She announced a new anti-poverty strategy with a strong focus on children, as well as plans to strengthen farmers’ positions in food supply chains to ensure fairer pay.

Energy independence was highlighted as essential to protecting households from rising costs. The EU will expand investment in clean and home-grown energy, aiming to reduce reliance on volatile external suppliers.

She also responded to Europe’s growing housing concerns with the announcement of the first European Housing Summit, designed to tackle affordability and access issues.

Climate and Sustainability

Reaffirming the European Green Deal, von der Leyen said the EU remains on track to cut carbon emissions by 2030. She emphasized that the green transition must be fair, supporting workers, communities, and industries alike. A forthcoming Circular Economy Act will secure access to critical raw materials while reducing dependence on imports.

Democracy, Media, and Digital Protection

Von der Leyen warned of the dangers posed by disinformation, describing it as a threat to democracy, society, and even healthcare. To counter this, she announced a new initiative — the Centre for EU Resilience — and tools to detect false narratives.

She also unveiled a Media Resilience Programme to support independent and local outlets, stating: “Free press is democracy.” On social media, she addressed parental concerns about harmful content, declaring: “I believe parents, not algorithms, should raise our children.”


Throughout her address, von der Leyen returned to three central themes: strengthening independence — in defence, energy, and industry; ensuring solidarity — through social protection and a just transition; and safeguarding democracy — by protecting freedoms, equality, and truth.

Her closing message was clear: Europe must face its challenges together. “If it matters to Europeans, it matters to the EU.

Connecting the dots: Young People, Social Inclusion and Digitalisation

This week, our colleague Gabriel Brezoiu - General Manager of GEYC takes part to the "Connecting the dots: Young People, Social Inclusion and Digitalisation" Symposium in Tallinn, Estonia focusing on exploring the crossing between social inclusion of young people and digitalisation, reflecting especially on how digitalisation affects young people’s lives, and what the role of youth policy, youth work and youth research can be in this respect.

Call for 3 Romanian participants: Youth Exchange in Petrosani, Romania (11-17 July 2016)

GEYC is selecting 3 Romanian participants, to take part in "Rhythm" European project that will take place in Petrosani, Romania between 11.07-17.07.2016. The main aim of this youth exchange is to focused on healthy life-style and nutrition. Deadline: 18 May 2016 | Apply now!

Call for 4 Romanian participants and one group leader: Youth Exchange in La Vancelle (nearby Strasbourg), France (23.04 - 01.05.2016)

GEYC is selecting 4 Romanian participants and one group leader, to take part in "What is life" European project that will take place in La Vancelle , France from 23.04 to 01.05.2016. The main aim of the youth exchange is to encourage participants to acknowledge the current digital revolution, as opposed to the undergoing changes. Deadline: 12 January 2016 | Apply now!

Call for 3 Romanian participants (no age limit): Training Course Newcastle, UK (3-10 September 2015)

GEYC is selecting 3 Romanian participants, to take part in "Youth on the Radio" European project that will take place in New Castle, UK from 3 to 10 September 2015. The aim of this TC is to empower and train youth, youth workers and young leaders to develop their initiative skills. Deadline: May, 23, 2015.

PRISMA European Fair & PRISMA Network Launch, 18th April 2015

EN: On 18th of April (10 am - 2 pm), at Cluj Napoca, GEYC organizes PRISMA European Fair gathering over 20 European organisations in order to bring European opportunities (traineeships, learning mobilities, volunteer stages and many others) to Cluj Napoca young people. The event is organized in the frame of the European Youth Capital - 2015 together with Share Federation. Free access.

RO: Pe 18 aprilie (10:00 - 14:00), la Cluj Napoca, GEYC organizează evenimentul ”PRISMA European Fair” aducând în fața tinerilor clujeni oportunități oferite de peste 20 de organizații europene (programe de practică, de schimb de experiență, mobilități de învățare, stagii de voluntariat și multe altele). Evenimentul se înscrie în suita activităților Capitalei Europene de Tineret - 2015 fiind organizat alături de Federația SHARE. Intrarea liberă.

PRISMA Conference: Youth framework in National and European context, 17th April 2015

PRISMA Conference is part of PRISMA Seminar (16.04.2015-20.04.2015), a 3 days interactive seminar for 28 participants from 12 countries and 22 organisations, with the purpose of creating a European Network of organisations interested in developing their capacity through social media tools. The Seminar is an activity of PRISMA Project (Projects: Resources, Insights and Management – a Social Media Approach) organised by Group of the European Youth for Change - GEYC with the financial support of the European Commission through ERASMUS+ program (KA1).

Call for 3 Romanian participants: Training course in Istanbul, Turkey, January 2015

GEYC is selecting 3 Romanian participants to take part in the “European Cooperative Youth Network for Human Rights Online” European project that will take place in Istanbul, Turkey from 17th (arrival day) until 25nd (departure day) of January 2015. This is a training course that aims to find solution for combating all forms of hate speech online.

Apel participanți: "European Mobility - Raising your employability"

GEYC organizează pe 23 octombrie la București în cadrul Spațiului Public European evenimentul "European Mobility - Raising your employability" ce are drept scop conștientizarea importanței mobilităților europene în pregătirea pentru un loc de muncă. Evenimentul reprezintă o formă de diseminare a rezultatelor proiectului european SMARTER (Social Media Academy: Raise Teen Employability Resources) co-finanțat de Comisia Europeană prin programul „Tineret în acțiune”.

Call for 3 Romanian participants: Training course in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom / October-November 2014


GEYC is selecting 3 Romanian participants to take part in the “Training 4 Trainers” European project that will take place in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, from 25th of October until 3rd of November 2014. This is a training course that aims to train youth workers to become trainers.

GEYC - a member of the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs of the European Commission

We are proudly announcing that GEYC was selected as a member of the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs. Initiated by the European Commission, the Grand Coalition is a multi-stakeholder partnership to tackle the lack of digital skills in Europe and the several hundred of thousands of unfilled ICT-related vacancies.

Keep informed with European opportunities!

Various European programs offer us the chance to work on different fields, to learn, to study, to get practical experience or to share our practices. GEYC prepared a list a tools where you could get informed!

Call for 2 Romanian candidates: training course about democracy in Poznan, Poland

GEYC is selecting two Romanian participants to take part in "Democracy? Now!" Training Course which will be held in Poznań, Poland, from October 20th to 26th 2013


”For Diversity. Against Discrimination” - an EU campaign

GEYC supports ”For Diversity. Against discrimination” - an European Commission campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of discrimination and increase understanding of the EU laws which exist to protect us all. It also strives to generate debate on the themes of diversity and discrimination and in particular on how people in Europe stand to gain from greater equality.

GEYC - Group of the European Youth for Change

Organisation in Special consultative status with the United Nations - Economic and Social Council since 2023. A member of the PRISMA European Network.

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