The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Europe's economy, health systems and democracy is enormous. In terms of European policy, it will now be important to shape the economic construction in Europe in a socially and ecologically sustainable way. The Recovery Fund set forth by the EU is thus a significant means and decisive first step in order to boost the European Green Deal. The texts that have been chosen for our dossier aim to underscore the conviction that the European Green Deal can only become a success, if the EU manages to function as a multi-level system in the truest sense of the word and the various levels manage to operate as a well-connected unit. Especially, municipalities are now seen as the new bearers of hope in this endeavour and initiatives at the local level are already making a difference in many areas and are seen as potential drivers of the socio-ecological transformation. The focus of this years’ Annual European Conference is thus put on the local dimension of the European Green Deal. 

With the two-day Biden leaders' summit on climate attended by 40 countries, the United States has returned to the international stage of climate diplomacy. Whether the increased ambition of new climate action pledges via video made by several core countries can be implemented in a binding manner, however, remains an open question - not only, but also including in the United States. An urgently needed signal that the Biden administration is prepared to take on a leadership role in international climate finance in the run-up to COP 26, however, was missing in action.

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union Office in Brussels is welcoming applications for the open position “IT Technician: Digital Infrastructure Support”, to start working as of 1 July 2021. Deadline extended to Wednesday 12 May 2021, 23:59 CEST.

The EU is undeniably crying out for fundamental reforms. The Conference on the Future of Europe, launching on 9 May 2021, is meant to create the first-ever genuine public space between European citizens of all Member States and enable encounters beyond national frameworks. Unlikely to deliver major reform plans, though, this platform still has the potential to provide important impulses to crucial issues for Europe’s future.