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The EU in a nutshell

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Table of Contents

What is Europe?

The European project

What does the EU do?

How does the EU work?

How you can shape Europe

Stay in touch

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What is Europe?

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What does the EU mean to you?

What makes you feel European?

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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The Basics

WHAT IS EUROPE?

Europe:

1 of 7 continents

44 countries

Over 700 million people

EU:

27 countries

447 million people

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WHAT IS EUROPE?

European Culture

European culture and diversity have been shaped by:

Ancient Greece and Rome
Reformation and Enlightenment
Parliamentarism and social rights

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Over the centuries, new styles of music, architecture and literature have inspired artists throughout Europe.

For example:

European Artists

WHAT IS EUROPE?

Pablo Picasso
Ludwig van Beethoven
Alfons Mucha
Hilma af Klint

Stefan Zweig
Wisława Szymborska
Simone de Beauvoir
Magda Szabó

1

2

3

4

8

7

6

5

Pablo Picasso: Spanish artist known for having co-founded (alongside Georges Braque) the Cubism movement. You may know two of his famous works – ‘Guernica’ and ‘Les Demoiselles d’Avignon’.
Ludwig van Beethoven: German composer and pianist known for his symphonies. Beethoven was a crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic ages of Western music. He composed ‘Ode to Joy’, which later became the European Anthem’.
Alfons Mucha: The Czech painter and illustrator was a member of the Art Nouveau movement. His most famous paintings include ‘Fruit’ (1897) and ‘The Slav Epic’ (1910–1928), which depicts the history of all Slavic peoples.
Hilma af Klint was a Swedish painter. Her abstract paintings, which explored spirituality, cycles of life, spirals, geometry, and colour theory, are considered among the first abstract works known in Western art history.
Stefan Zweig: Austrian novelist, playwright, journalist, and biographer. You may know one of his major works, ‘The Royal Game and Other Stories’ (1941), a collection of five brilliant and creative psychological thrillers.
Wisława Szymborska: Polish poet, essayist and translator, she won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996. One of her most famous collections of poems is ‘View with a Grain of Sand’.
Simone de Beauvoir was a French writer, philosopher and essayist. One of her most famous works is her autobiographical novel ‘Mémoires d’une jeune fille rangée’ (1958), where she tells about her early life.
Magda Szabó was a Hungarian novelist, who wrote dramas, essays, studies, memoirs, poetry and children’s literature. Her novel ‘Az ajtó’ (The Door) was published in 1987 and would become one of her most famous works worldwide.

Which other European artists do you know?

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European Values

WHAT IS EUROPE?

Human dignity
Freedom
Democracy
Equality
Rule of law
Human rights

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WHAT IS EUROPE?

24 Official EU Languages

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EU Language Families

WHAT IS EUROPE?

24 Official EU Languages
Germanic	Romance	Slavic	Other
Danish German English Dutch Swedish	Spanish French Italian Portuguese Romanian	Bulgarian Czech Croatian Polish Slovak Slovene	Estonian Finnish Greek Irish Lithuanian Latvian Hungarian Maltese

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The European Project

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Which countries created the EU and why?

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From war to peace

THE EUROPEAN PROJECT

1914

1918

1939

1945

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From war to peace

Peace was one of the aims that led to the creation of the European Union

The EU received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012

THE EUROPEAN PROJECT

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THE EUROPEAN PROJECT

1951

European Coal

and

Steel Community

1950

Schuman Declaration

Rome

Treaty

1957

1992

Maastricht Treaty

1993

Single Market

1995

Schengen Agreement

2004

The creation of the European Union

Euro currency

Eastern

enlargement

2002

2007

Lisbon Treaty

2020

NextGenerationEU

1945

End of WWII

Main steps towards the creation of the European Union:

Between 1945 and 1950, a few European politicians, including Robert Schuman, Simone Veil, Jean Monnet, Alcide de Gasperi and Konrad Adenauer began the process of creating the European Union we live in today.
1950 Schuman Declaration – On 9 May, Robert Schuman (the French foreign minister at the time) proposed that the production of coal and steel – the raw materials used to prepare for war – should be managed jointly so that no country could secretly arm itself against the others. One of his most famous quotes is: “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity.”
1951 Creation of the European Coal and Steel Community – Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands agreed to unite their coal and steel industries.
1957 Treaty of Rome – the 6 founding countries decided to extend their cooperation to other economic sectors and created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).
1992 Treaty of Maastricht – Over the years, more countries joined the community and the Treaty of Maastricht marked the beginning of the European Union as we know it today:

a political and economic union;
no border controls between the countries which are part of the Schengen area (1995);
one currency between the countries that adopted the euro.

1993 The Single Market was created to ensure free movement of goods, services, capital and persons within the EU. By removing technical, legal and bureaucratic barriers, the EU allows citizens and companies to trade and do business freely throughout the EU.�In addition to the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are part of the European Single Market.
1995 The Schengen Agreement abolished all border controls between the seven countries that have signed it.
2002 The Euro became the legal currency in 12 EU countries
2004 - The largest expansion of the European Union, in terms of territory, number of states, and population. Ten new countries joined the EU: Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. This enlargement signified the reunification of Europe, which had been divided for half of a century by the Iron Curtain and the Cold War.
2007 – The Treaty of Lisbon introduced a new structure giving the EU a stronger role in the world and giving more weight to the voices of citizens and national governments.
2020 – NextGenerationEU is an economic recovery package to support EU countries that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. NextGenerationEU aims to make Europe stronger, transform EU economies and societies, and design a Europe that works for everyone.

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THE EUROPEAN PROJECT

Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands

Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom (the UK left the EU in 2020)

Greece

Spain, Portugal

Austria, Finland, Sweden

Czechia, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia

Bulgaria, Romania

Croatia

United Kingdom

Ireland

Germany

France

Belgium

Netherlands

Luxembourg

Italy

Spain

Portugal

Croatia

Greece

Bulgaria

Romania

Slovenia

Hungary

Slovakia

Poland

Czechia

Sweden

Finland

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Malta

Cyprus

Denmark

Austria

EU Countries

1951

1973

1981

1986

1995

2004

2007

2013

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THE EUROPEAN PROJECT

Schengen area countries

Non-Schengen area EU countries

Schengen Area

Did you know?

You can travel freely between the 27 countries of the Schengen area without showing your passport

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THE EUROPEAN PROJECT

EU countries that do not use the Euro

EU countries that use the Euro

Euro Area

20 EU countries now use the euro as their official currency

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What does the EU do?

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What do you think the EU does for you?

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�Study, Work and Volunteering

Youth Guarantee Scheme

EURES

ERASMUS+

European Solidarity Corps

WHAT DOES THE EU DO?

The Youth Guarantee Scheme is designed to help young people continue their education, or increase their chances of finding a job, by training them in the skills that employers need.
The EURES job website helps young people to start looking for a job, traineeship or apprenticeship in another EU country. Employers also use it to find candidates in other EU countries.
The Erasmus+ programme is open to both teenagers and adults from EU and non-EU countries and allows you to study, train or take part in a youth exchange in one of 33 countries around Europe and beyond.
The European Solidarity Corps programme enables young adults to volunteer abroad (or at home) for a cause that is important to them. This enriching experience allows them to develop their skills and competences.
Find out more here: Work and study (europa.eu)

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�Travel��

Discover EU

Free roaming

Healthcare assistance

Passenger rights

Access to digital subscriptions

WHAT DOES THE EU DO?

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�…and much more!��

Participation

Environmental protection

Consumer rights and safety

EU-funded projects

EU in the world

WHAT DOES THE EU DO?

USB-C Common charger

Participation: you can contribute to shaping Europe by, for example:

voting in the European Parliamentary election: the voting age is 18 in most EU countries, 17 in Greece and 16 in Austria and Malta. Belgium and Germany have also recently lowered the voting age for the European elections to 16.
launching or supporting the European Citizens’ Initiative that calls on the EU to propose new legislation on a specific issue for which it is responsible.
attending Citizens’ Dialogues that take place across the EU, where you get the chance to discuss European issues with representatives of the EU.

Environmental protection:

The fight against climate change is a top priority for the EU. All EU countries have agreed that by 2030 they should drastically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, and produce more of their energy from renewable sources (such as wind, solar or hydro power).
Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas in the world. It protects around 2000 animal and plant species and 230 habitat types throughout the EU. Click here for more information: https://europa.eu/!vC49dj.
The EU LIFE programme funds projects that protect the environment and fight climate change. Click here to find the projects carried out in your country: LIFE in European countries (europa.eu)

Consumer rights and safety: Products such as food, toys and cosmetics have to meet strict safety requirements before they can be sold within the EU. EU law also gives you a minimum 2-year guarantee when you buy consumer goods and allows you to return the goods you have bought within 14 days if you change your mind. Moreover, thanks to the EU General Data Protection Regulation, consumer privacy is constantly protected. The EU also works to stop the spread of disinformation.

EU-funded projects: The European Union helps improve people’s lives by:

supporting new jobs
building new infrastructure
funding scientific research
modernising public services such as schools and hospitals.

For more information: Kohesio: discover EU projects in your region (europa.eu)

EU in the world:

The EU has signed trade agreements with many countries around the world, which make it easier to do business together. You can find more information here: https://europa.eu/!gv87hU
the EU also carries out humanitarian projects, aimed at providing vulnerable people with food, shelter, medical care and education. You can find more information here: https://europa.eu/!rV69JX;
In case of disasters, the EU can provide aid and assistance through a coordinated response system known as the Civil Protection Mechanism. You can find more information here: https://europa.eu/!Pw88qb.

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�EU Priorities��

Green Deal

NextGenerationEU

Digitalisation

Equality

WHAT DOES THE EU DO?

With the European Green Deal, the EU aims to cut its emissions and become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. Find out more about the Green Deal here: https://europa.eu/!Tr74bn

NextGenerationEU is a campaign aimed at:

explaining to citizens what the EU is doing to reboot the economy after the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic;
building a more resilient future for the EU ;
making the EU safer, green, healthier, digital and equal.

Digitalisation: The EU is working to provide internet access to all people living in the EU (Wifi4EU initiative), while keeping children and young adults safe when using the internet or mobile technologies (Better Internet for Kids).

Equality: The EU is engaged in achieving a Union of equality, which means creating the conditions for everyone to live, thrive and lead regardless of differences based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. To achieve this goal, the EU is putting in place mechanisms, policies and actions that challenge structural discrimination and the stereotypes that are often present in our societies.

For more information: The European Commission’s priorities | European Commission (europa.eu)

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�Continuing EU Solidarity with Ukraine�

WHAT DOES THE EU DO?

#StandWithUkraine

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One charger for all�

��

Reduces electronic waste

Promotes sustainability

More convenient for consumers

Makes life simpler for everyone

USB-C is the common charger for phones,

tablets, cameras & more.

�Laptops will follow in 2026.

WHAT DOES THE EU DO?

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Which topics �do you think

should be prioritised by the European Institutions?

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How does the EU work?

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The European Commission

HOW DOES THE EU WORK?

represents the EU common interests

is made up of one President and a Commissioner from each EU country responsible for a specific topic

proposes new laws and programmes

is elected by the European Parliament for �five years

manages the EU policies and budget

is the guardian of the EU Treaties

is located in Brussels and Luxembourg

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The European Council

HOW DOES THE EU WORK?

brings together the heads of state or government of each EU country

sets the EU’s main priorities and policy directions

does not adopt EU laws

meets at least four times a year in Brussels (Belgium) or Luxembourg (Luxembourg) for European Summits

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The Council of the EU

HOW DOES THE EU WORK?

represents the governments of the EU countries

brings together ministers of EU countries who meet to discuss EU matters (agriculture, foreign affairs, justice, etc.)

takes decisions and passes laws together with the European Parliament

has a rotating Presidency – every six months another EU country takes the lead

meets in Brussels or Luxembourg

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HOW DOES THE EU WORK?

The European Parliament

is the voice of European citizens

has Members from all EU countries directly elected by citizens every five years

discusses new laws proposed by the European Commission

modifies (if necessary) and decides these laws together with the Council

elects the President of the European Commission

approves the EU budget

holds at least six sessions per year in Brussels (Belgium) and 12 in Strasbourg (France)

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EU Laws: who does what?

HOW DOES THE EU WORK?

European Commission

European Parliament

Council of the European Union

Proposes a law

New EU Law

Adopt, amend or reject the proposed law

If agreed

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The European Court of Justice

keeps track of EU laws

makes sure that EU countries respect EU laws

advises national courts on the interpretation of these laws

fines countries if they do not respect EU laws

checks if the laws respect fundamental rights (e.g. freedom of speech, freedom of the press)

consists of one judge per EU country

is located in Luxembourg

HOW DOES THE EU WORK?

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The European Court of Auditors

HOW DOES THE EU WORK?

checks whether the EU’s budget has been correctly spent

reports fraud, corruption or other illegal activity

advises EU policymakers on how to best spend the budget

has Members appointed by the Council for six-year terms

@TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

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The European Central Bank

HOW DOES THE EU WORK?

leads EU economic and monetary policy

manages the European currency – the ‘euro’

is responsible for keeping the euro and prices stable

fixes interest rates for the euro area

works with the national central banks of EU countries

has six Members appointed by the Council for an eight-year term that cannot be renewed

is located in Frankfurt (Germany)

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How YOU can shape Europe

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Citizen's Initiatives

European Youth Week

European Youth Event (EYE)

Your Europe, Your Say (YEYS)

HOW YOU CAN SHAPE EUROPE

How you can shape Europe

European Citizen’s Initiatives are a unique way to help shape the agenda of the European Commission by proposing new laws. Once a proposal has received 1 million signatures, it is passed on to the Commission for them to decide what action to take. https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/_en

European Youth Week is an event organised by the European Commission every second year to celebrate and promote youth engagement, participation and active citizenship all over Europe and beyond. It's a place where you can engage in meaningful dialogues with policy and decision-makers, and learn more about opportunities offered by the EU like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps: https://youth.europa.eu/youthweek_en

The EYE (European Youth Event) brings together thousands of young people, aged 16 to 30 years old, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and online. Participants come from all over the European Union and the world, to share and shape their ideas on Europe’s future, providing an opportunity to interact, inspire each other and exchange views with experts, activists, influencers and decision-makers, right at the heart of European democracy. https://european-youth-event.europarl.europa.eu/en/

Your Europe, Your Say (YEYS) is the annual youth event of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Every year, three people from each EU Member State and from the candidate countries with the European Union are selected to participate in YEYS. Together, they come up with resolutions which reflect their ideas, proposals and hopes for their future as European citizens, and the EESC shares these resolutions with the EU institutions and highlights them at other key events.

Votre Europe, votre avis! | EESC (europa.eu)

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Learn more about the EU

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

What Europe does for me

what-europe-does-for-me.eu

Europa website

europa.eu

Publications Office

publications.europa.eu

Learning Corner newsletter

ec.europa.eu/newsroom/comm/user-subscriptions/1595/create

Learning Corner website

europa.eu/learning-corner

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Stay in touch

STAY IN TOUCH

Freephone: 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11

In person:

Via social media:

europa.eu/european-union/contact_en

Questions about the EU?

Europe Direct can help.

Find an EU centre near you to meet, ask about and discuss the EU.

europa.eu/european-union/contact/meet-us_en

Use the search tool to find the EU’s social media accounts.

europa.eu/european-union/contact/social-networks_en

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Thank you!

europa.eu/learning-corner

✉ COMM-A2@ec.europa.eu

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