EPRS publishes latest report on the implementation of the European Commission's policy priorities
The EPRS analyses the European Commission’s political agenda and publishes a monitoring report twice a year. The current report outlines the planned initiatives under the seven identified priorities, including topics such as “Prosperity and Competitiveness,” “Defense and Security,” “Social Justice,” “Environmental Protection and Biodiversity,” “Safeguarding Democracy,”.
The “Social Justice” priority includes, among others, initiatives to strengthen the Erasmus+ programme. The aim is to support young people in particular and combat social division. The programme is to be expanded and made more inclusive and accessible.
The priority area titled “Prosperity and Competitiveness” encompasses approximately 200 of the 400 initiatives launched so far by the von der Leyen II Commission, including a summary of the work done to date on the EU’s digital agenda. Following a streamlining of regulations on data, cybersecurity, and AI, as well as the cybersecurity package from January 2026, the report lists further initiatives to strengthen the EU’s international digital strategy and make Europe a leading AI continent.
In the field of research, the Commission proposed a package for the health sector in December 2025. Key elements include a Biotechnology Act, revised regulations for medical devices, and a “Safe Hearts” plan to improve the health of EU citizens. This is intended to promote biotechnology and simplify market access. In July 2025, the Commission published a strategy aimed at making the EU the world’s most attractive location for life sciences by 2030.
In addition, the Commission has presented a comprehensive strategy for startups and scale-ups that spans several of the seven policy areas, with the aim of removing barriers to growth, improving access to finance and markets, attracting talent, and strengthening access to infrastructure and networks.
