On 11 February 2025, the European Commission adopted its 2025 work programme, a strategic plan aimed at shaping the EU’s future by focusing on competitiveness, security, and economic resilience. This ambitious programme is designed to address the challenges and opportunities facing the EU, aiming to foster innovation, economic growth, and greater prosperity for European citizens and businesses.
A key feature of the work programme is its emphasis on simplification. The Commission has committed to reducing administrative burdens and simplifying EU regulations to make the Union more effective, faster, and easier to navigate. This will be achieved through a series of measures, including the introduction of the Omnibus package. The first Omnibus will focus on sustainable finance reporting, sustainability due diligence, and taxonomy. It will also include the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act to streamline permitting and reporting requirements for businesses. Simplification efforts will also extend to the Common Agricultural Policy, addressing complex regulatory processes affecting farmers.
The work programme highlights several major initiatives. The Competitiveness Compass will serve as a guide for sustainable growth, while the EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy will empower entrepreneurs by improving access to capital. At the heart of the Commission’s decarbonisation efforts is the Clean Industrial Deal, which includes a bold proposal to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040. The EU’s security will also be a key focus, with efforts to strengthen European defence, enhance crisis preparedness, and secure critical resources. The Preparedness Union Strategy will be complemented by initiatives like the EU Stockpiling strategy and the Critical Medicines Act to ensure security of supply in key sectors.
Other initiatives will focus on sustainable agriculture, ocean health, and water resilience, alongside efforts to protect democracy and combat discrimination. The work programme also outlines plans for strengthening the EU’s global role, with initiatives aimed at promoting peace, regional cooperation, and strategic partnerships.
