Europe’s economy could be boosted by €800 billion – equivalent to 6% of current GDP – if more action is undertaken at EU level, according to a study by the European Parliament. Creating a digital single market alone would generate an additional €260 billion, more than Denmark’s estimated GDP for 2014. The study looked at the cumulative efficiency gains of a series of policy actions at the European level to help set priorities for how the EU should invest its money the coming five years.

The potential efficiency gains identified vary from a wider and deeper digital single market to better coordinated national and European policies for defence and development. These beneficial policies have already been advocated by the Parliament in the current legislative period. While fully respecting the subsidiarity principle, MEPs always try to identify opportunities for greater efficiency at the European level

The study was carried out to identify the opportunity cost of not acting at the European level. The analysis draws in part on work carried out by parliamentary committees and major requests made by the Parliament in its various legislative and own-initiative reports.

To find out more about the benefits of more Europe and how they could be realised, clickon the infographic below.

A new subject file entitled ‘The “Franco-German duo” and Europe as seen in cartoons (1945–2013)’ has recently been added to the CVCE’s publications. This file, developed by Marco Gabellini, historian and scientific collaborator at the CVCE and who was also member of the project group REPERES, contains more than 300 press cartoons that offer a humorous, quirky interpretation of this important historical period in which a united Europe began to take shape, and reflects on more than 50 years of Franco-German cooperation. The rapprochement that began in the early years after the Second World War between France and Germany, two countries that had been long-standing enemies, followed a unique path.

The file is available in French and English; a full German version will follow.

The ‘Franco-German duo’ and Europe as seen in cartoons (1945–2013)

The Open Education Challenge, launched in partnership with the European Commission, is part of Startup Europe, a Digital Agenda initiative promoting web and ICT entrepreneurs to start their business in Europe and to let them flourish in Europe.

Applicants may be aspiring entrepreneurs or existing startups in the first stage of development that wish to transform education by addressing various challenges, such as better learning contents, devices or communities.
The ten most promising startups will join the European Incubator for Innovation in Education, be immersed in twelve weeks of intensive mentoring and coaching with European experts in education, technology and entrepreneurship to help them refine and develop their project.

Applications can be submitted from all over the world, and not only from the European Union, by aspiring entrepreneurs or existing start-ups in the first stage of development.

How to apply?

Just enter the OEC website and fill out the form. 4 easy questions to answer, a 30 seconds video and you are in. Applications have to be submitted by 17 March.

The Open Education Challenge, which builds on priorities identified in the Commission’s “Opening up education ” strategy, is a private initiative developed in partnership with the European Commission. There is no financial contribution from the European Commission.

The countdown has begun with fewer than 100 days to go before the European elections take place. On 22-25 May, EU voters go to the polls to elect 751 new MEPs and decide which direction Europe should follow.

But how many MEPs will be elected in each member state? When is election day in your country and when do you need to register if you live in another part of the EU and wish to vote there? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the infographic on the European elections.

click to enlarge

The deadline of 1st March will be postponed according to the date of the adoption of the “Europe for citizens Programme 2014-2020”. The adoption of the is expected in the near future.