The European Commission’s 2026 Work Programme, titled “Europe’s Independence Moment,” outlines strategic priorities to strengthen EU sovereignty, competitiveness, and resilience.
Here are five key takeaways:
- Industrial and technological autonomy: The EU will launch initiatives like the European Innovation Act, Quantum Act, and Advanced Materials Act to boost strategic sectors, support startups, and secure access to critical raw materials through a new Critical Raw Materials Centre.
- Energy and climate resilience: A comprehensive Energy Union package will address electrification, renewable energy, and CO₂ infrastructure, alongside proposals for fusion power and a Circular Economy Act to reduce resource dependencies.
- Defence and migration strategy: The EU will expand its defence capabilities via the SAFE instrument and Drone Defence Initiative, while implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum and introducing sanctions against smugglers.
- Social and economic cohesion: Measures include a Quality Jobs Act, Affordable Housing Plan, and EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, with targeted support for youth, families, and rural communities to preserve Europe’s social model.
- Democracy and global engagement: The Commission will reinforce rule of law safeguards, launch a Media Resilience Programme, and deepen global partnerships through trade deals and strategic cooperation, especially with Ukraine, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.
Source eur-lex.europa.eu
