This week, defence ministers exchange views on EU military support for Ukraine and on hybrid threats; justice ministers look to approve conclusions on combating racism and related forms of hatred and discrimination; the Commission holds events on the path forward for coal regions, innovation uptake, the EU Digital Product Passport for Batteries and the EU automotive industry; the EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum discusses ways to strengthen democratic resilience and citizens’ trust in institutions; and MEPs in committee decide on the 2028-2034 new generation Erasmus+ programme to support education, training, youth and sport, and evaluate the EU’s cancer plan rollout. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 28 September to 3 October 2026.
Monday 28 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political group meetings
Brussels
Monetary dialogue with ECB President Christine Lagarde: MEPs from the Economic and Monetary Affairs committee will hold their regular debate with European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde. They will take stock of the ECB’s actions over the last three months and are set to focus on the implications of artificial intelligence and inflation dynamics for the ECB’s monetary policy.
Fighting cancer: Public Health committee MEPs will evaluate the EU’s cancer plan rollout. Stricter rules on tobacco labelling, limited online advertising of alcohol and measures to discourage alcohol abuse are some of their proposals to fight cancer.
Plenary preparations: Political groups will be preparing for the 5-8 October plenary session, where MEPs will outline their priorities for the 15-16 October European Council, and debate and vote on the new programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE), worth €115 million, EU-China political relations, the upcoming EU anti-corruption strategy and the need to counter Islamist entryism and the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood network. Plenary will also vote on new rules to protect workers from exposure to dangerous substances and action to tackle work-related psychosocial risks and stress. Europe’s challenges and its future will be up for discussion with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, as part of the ‘This is Europe’ debate series.
Monday 28 – Tuesday 29 September
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Fisheries | Oceans | CAP
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Brussels
The Council will seek to reach a partial general approach on the regulation setting out the post-2027 EU support for the common fisheries policy, the EU’s maritime and aquaculture policies, and the ocean pact. Among other topics, ministers will discuss the post-2027 common agricultural policy, and exchange views on the situation of agricultural markets.
Monday 28 September
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Defence
Foreign Affairs Council
Brussels
The Council will exchange views on EU military support for Ukraine and, under current affairs, on hybrid threats, the situation in the Middle East and public procurement in defence. In the margins of the Council meeting, High Representative Kaja Kallas will chair the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board.
Monday 28 September – Thursday 1 October
Other bodies and agencies | Political meetings | Transport | Mobility
Connecting Europe Days
Brussels
Connecting Europe Days will bring together politicians, financial institutions, industry representatives, transport stakeholders and the European Commission to discuss concrete measures and exchange good practices on creating a competitive, resilient, safe and sustainable transport sector in Europe.
Monday 28 September
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Finance
Implementation dialogue “From recommendations to implementation: how does the European Semester impact policies on the ground?”
Brussels
Country specific recommendations (CSRs) under the European Semester have played a central role in the Recovery and Resilience Facility, driving reforms and investments that respond both to national challenges and to common European priorities. In addition, the Commission has proposed that the CSRs should serve as a reference framework for the National and Regional Partnership Plans under the next Multiannual Financial Framework. A timely discussion on the relevance and implementation of CSRs could usefully inform forthcoming exchanges between the Commission and the Member States in the context of the preparation of their National and Regional Partnership Plans.
Tuesday 29 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political group meetings
Brussels
Erasmus+: Culture and Education committee MEPs will decide on the 2028-2034 new generation Erasmus+ programme to support education, training, youth and sport. MEPs are likely to propose expanding the programme to volunteering, and increasing the Erasmus+ financial envelope.
EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum: MEPs, national parliamentarians, civil society representatives and academics will gather for the second edition of the EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum to discuss ways to strengthen democratic resilience and citizens’ trust in institutions. Parliament’s President, Roberta Metsola, will deliver closing remarks. (Tuesday to Wednesday)
Tuesday 29 – Wednesday 30 September
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Energy policy | Fund (EU) | Coal | Steel
Clean energy, restored lands: The path forward for coal regions
Bochum, Germany
This 2-day event will bring together researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and regional practitioners to discuss the links between research and innovation (R&I), policy and implementation on the ground for an accelerated and just transition of coal + regions.
Tuesday 29 – Wednesday 30 September
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Innovation
CERIS workshop on Innovation uptake
Brussels
The CERIS workshop on Innovation Uptake brings together experts, policymakers, security practitioners and innovators from across Europe to share experiences and lessons learnt. They will discuss ongoing and upcoming opportunities to foster the uptake of innovative security solutions.
Tuesday 29 September
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Knowledge management | Standardisation
Setting the standard: accelerating market uptake
Online only
What is the role of standards in driving breakthrough innovation? How can standardisation help accelerate market uptake?
This talk will explore how standards can play a key role in bringing new solutions to market and scaling them up. Speakers will share their experiences on collaboration between industry, academia and standardisation organisations that support faster market uptake and scaling of innovations.
Wednesday 30 September
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Multilingualism
Beyond barriers and divisions: Writing and translating for specific audiences
Udine, Italy
On the occasion of World Translation Day, the University of Udine will host a multilingualism workshop.
This event will explore the relationship between translation, mediation and accessible communication.
Wednesday 30 September – Thursday 1 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | EU budget | EU investment
8th Annual EC-EIB-ESM Capital Markets Seminar
Luxembourg
As with previous editions the event, co-hosted by the European Commission, European Investment Bank and the European Stability Mechanism, will bring together the three E-names in the areas of EU’s public issuances, with the private sector investor community to exchange views on the ever-evolving markets and policy interventions.
Wednesday 30 September – Thursday 1 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Governance | Data protection | Policymaking | Equal treatment
2026 High-Level Roundtable on equality data
Brussels
The two-day event will open with high-level discussions on the strategic and policy dimensions of equality data. The second day will focus on more technical and operational aspects through thematic roundtable discussions and expert exchanges.
Wednesday 30 September
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Batteries
The EU Digital Product Passport for Batteries – Webinar 3: Latest developments and the DPP Registry for the Battery Industry
Online only
The session will cover the latest developments and guidance on batteries passport data points, feature a live demonstration of the DPP Registry verification process, and include a Q&A with experts from the European Commission.
Wednesday 30 September
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Sustainable economic growth strategy | Employment policy
Webinar: The EU automotive industry at a crossroads
Online only
Join the European Commission and the OECD for the presentation of the joint policy brief “The EU automotive industry at a crossroads: The implications of structural transformation for employment and skills”.
Thursday 1 October
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Home Affairs
Justice and Home Affairs Council
Luxembourg
Home Affairs ministers will exchange views on cooperation with non-EU countries on readmission, receive an update on the implementation of the pact on migration and asylum and discuss situational awareness and early warning capabilities. Ministers will also discuss the overall state of the Schengen area as well as the implementation of the EU drugs strategic framework.
Thursday 1 October
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political group meetings
Brussels
Civil protection funds: MEPs from the Environment and Public Health committees will vote on a new seven-year civil protection mechanism, the EU’s main emergency response measure for countries hit by disasters such as wildfires, floods or earthquakes. MEPs want more funds and a wider range of measures, including monitoring and crisis anticipation.
COP31: the Environment committee will adopt its priorities for the upcoming 2026 UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November. As Europe remains the fastest-warming continent, MEPs are expected to underline the need for the EU to keep driving ambitious climate action, including phasing out fossil fuels and scaling up climate finance.
Thursday 1 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Energy policy | Energy efficiency
Citizens’ Energy Forum
Brussels | Live streaming available
This year’s Forum will focus on the conditions necessary to turn the policy ambition set out by the Citizens Energy Package into reality on the ground for citizens, cities and communities.
Thursday 1 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Research | Innovation
Science, research and innovation performance of the EU 2026
Brussels | Live streaming available
The launch event for the 2026 Science, Research and Innovation Performance of the EU (SRIP) report will present the main findings of the 2026 edition of the SRIP report and discuss their implications for Europe’s future competitiveness, innovation capacity and scientific leadership. The event will bring together speakers from the European Commission, academia, industry and international organisations.
Friday 2 October
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Justice
Justice and Home Affairs Council
Luxembourg
Justice ministers will be invited to approve conclusions on combating racism and related forms of hatred and discrimination, discuss Eurojust’s revised mandate and exchange views on the protection of civil society and journalists. They will also receive an update on actions taken on the fight against impunity regarding crimes committed in Ukraine.
