DGs OF THE EC- WHAT THEY DO

1. DG Agriculture and rural development (AGRI)
2. DG Budget(BUDG).
3. DG Climate Action (CLIMA)
4. DG Communication (COMM)
5. Communications Networks, Content and Technology (CNECT):
6. DG Competition (COMP)
7. Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS)
8. DG Digital Services (DIGIT)
9. DG Economic and Financial Affairs (ECFIN)
10. DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (EAC)
11. DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL)
12. DG Energy (ENER)
13. DG Environment (ENV)
14. DG European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
15. DG European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
16. DG European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (NEAR)
17. DG European statistics (EUROSTAT)
18. DG Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (FISMA)
19. DG Health and Food Safety (SANTE)
20. DG Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)
21. DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW)
22. DG-International Partnerships (INTPA)
23. DG-Justice and Consumers (JUST)
24. DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE)
25. DG Mobility and Transport (MOVE)
26. DG-Regional and Urban policy (REGIO)
27. DG-Research and Innovation (RTA)
28. DG-Trade (TRADE)

DG Agriculture and rural development (AGRI)

The mission of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) is to support and promote a knowledge and evidence-based green and digital transition towards a sustainable, competitive, and resilient EU agriculture, rural areas and food systems. To achieve this, it develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) so that its specific economic, environmental, and social objectives, building on the Treaty objectives, notably to ensure food security at all times, are jointly met.

The mission of the DG AGRI is to promote the sustainable development of European agriculture.

DG Budget (BUDG)

This department develops and carries out the Commission's policies on Budget. Its responsibilities include, to: Make sure the EU budget underpins the delivery on the EU political priorities; Prepare the Commission’s budget proposals, act as an honest broker in the negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council; Borrow funds on the capital markets to support various EU programmes; Work to ensure the EU budget is spent effectively and delivers on its objectives to the benefit of EU citizens; Make sure the right mechanisms are in place to protect the budget and guarantee that every euro goes to where the needs are; Collect the revenue of the EU budget. Propose and negotiate any new sources of revenue; Propose and put into place the rules for the spending of EU funds; Manage the EU expenditure, including payments to finance the recovery under NextGenerationEU and to support Ukraine under various Macro-Financial Assistance programmes; Manage the treasury function by receiving all revenue and executing all payments from the EU budget; Manage the Commission’s financial and accounting system, prepare and publish the EU annual accounts; Coordinate the discharge procedure from A to Z; Report on the implementation and performance of the EU budget, including by running the Financial Transparency System for EU payments; Support the overall EU budget strategy and policy activities with effective communication including relations with the financial community and other institutions.

DG Climate Action (CLIMA)

The Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) leads the European Commission's efforts to fight climate change at EU and international level.

Its key mission is to formulate and implement EU climate policies and strategies, so that the EU can turn into the first climate-neutral and climate resilient continent by 2050.

DG CLIMA plays a leading role in developing and facilitating the implementation of cost-efficient policies and legislation to deliver the European Green Deal. The DG promotes innovative decarbonization technologies to tackle global warming. It aims at ensuring prosperity and wellbeing, instilling a new climate culture in Europe, changing behaviors across our society. It maintains an ambitious global leadership in climate action, protecting the ozone layer, enhancing the international and domestic carbon market. It contributes to greening finance, ensuring the mainstreaming of climate action into the EU budget, into EU and Member States policies.

DG Communication (COMM)

The Directorate-General for Communication is the Commission department responsible for explaining EU policies to outside audiences. It keeps the Commission abreast of political developments and of trends in public opinion and the media. 

Responsibilities: Define and monitor the Commission’s corporate image; Communicate to the media and public on political priorities and topics of political importance and/or public interest; Provide corporate communication tools and expertise to other Commission departments; Run pan-European campaigns on the priorities of the European Union; Coordinate projects with other EU institutions and national governments; Inform the Commission about public opinion and reputational risks in EU countries; Report to the Commission on political developments across the EU; Help evaluate the Commission's communication activities; Provide the Spokesperson’s Service.

DG- Communications Networks, Content and Technology (CNECT)

The DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology connects develops and implement and implements policies to make Europe fit for the digital age.

The Directorate‑General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology  develops and carries out the Commission's policies on: Digital economy and society and on Research and innovation.

Responsibilities: We invest in research, innovation, deployment and uptake of trustworthy and green digital technologies that improve our economy and people’s lives. Through funding, legislation and policy initiatives, we help ensure European leadership and independence in critical digital technologies (such as Artificial Intelligence, Common Data Spaces,high-performance computing, 5G, micro-electronics, blockchain and quantum). We work towards making Europe a global leader in the data economy and in cybersecurity. We foster the internal market where all companies can invest and compete on equal terms, develop, market and use digital technologies, products and services and where the rights of creators and consumers are respected. We work on the deployment of very high-speed networks to all companies and households, as connectivity is key for digital transformation. We promote the EU’s human-centric model of an innovative, fair and sustainable digital transformation of society, ,which respects our democratic values, our fundamental rights and cultural diversity. We help bridge the digital divide by supporting digital literacy and skills of EU citizens

DG Competition (COMP)

DG COMP, together with the national competition authorities, directly enforces EU competition rules, in cooperation with national competition authorities.

Responsibilities: The European Commission, together with the national competition authorities, directly enforces EU competition rules, Articles 101-106 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU), to make EU markets work better, by ensuring that all companies compete equally and fairly on their merits. This benefits consumers, businesses and the European economy as a whole. Within the Commission, the Directorate-General (DG) for Competition is primarily responsible for these direct enforcement powers. 

DG Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS)

This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on defence industry and space.

Responsibilities: The Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) leads the European Commission’s activities in the European defence industry and European space sectors. DG DEFIS implements the Union’s Space Programme and ensures an innovative,and competitive defense industry.

DG DEFIS' role in the European Defence industry: The Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG-DEFIS) is the European Commission's department tasked with strengthening the competitiveness and innovation of the European Defence industry by ensuring the evolution of an able European defence technological and industrial base. To do so, we enable investments to support defence supply chains, with a special attention on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We also facilitate their involvement in cross-border partnerships through various tools such as the European Defence Fund (EDF).

Our work is guided by the recently published European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and is implemented through a set of programmes and initiatives.

DG DEFIS' role in Space: The Commission's Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) plays a pivotal role in the European Union Space Programme. Its activities include assessing current trends, identifying emerging challenges, and ensuring that the objectives of the Space Programme are aligned with broader EU priorities such as innovation, economic growth, and security.

DG DEFIS plays a crucial role in developing and enforcing the regulatory frameworks that govern space activities within the EU. This includes ensuring compliance with international treaties, licensing procedures, safety standards, and safeguarding security interests to promote responsible behaviour in space. 

DG DEFIS also actively supports the growth and competitiveness of the European space industry. It does this by providing targeted incentives (with a special focus on SMEs), fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, promoting technology transfers, and facilitating access to finance and markets. Furthermore, DG DEFIS seeks to enhance Europe's global influence by leveraging its resources and engaging with strategic stakeholders, partners and international organisations in international fora, where it promotes peaceful collaboration in the space domain.

DG Digital Services (DIGIT)

The Directorate-General for Digital Services is the Commission department responsible for digital services that support other Commission departments and EU institutions in their daily work and that help public administrations in EU member countries.

Mission Statement: The Directorate-General for Digital Services (DIGIT) as domain leader for IT, enables, drives and supervises the Commission’s digital transformation and the transformation of its IT delivery model. More particularly, by harvesting the potential of emerging technologies, leveraging data and expertise, proposing and promoting innovative procurement strategies and through its digital technology and services, DIGIT ensures that the digital landscape in which we operate is robust, resilient and secure, supports digital-ready policy making across the Commission and facilitates stronger collaboration between European public administrations.

DIGIT contributes to the transformation and modernisation of the Commission departments, institutions and agencies towards a future where we collectively set the benchmark for modern and efficient administrations, working better together.

DG Economic and Financial Affairs (ECFIN)

The Directorate‑General for Economic and Financial Affairs is the Commission department responsible for EU policies promoting economic growth and recovery, higher employment, stable public finances and financial stability.

DG ECFIN conducts economic forecasts and business and consumer surveys to underpin economic policy in the EU. It also coordinates the Commission’s work for a deeper and fairer Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), and promotes the role of the EU as a global actor in the economic arena. Finally, the Directorate-General is responsible for economic policy coordination, in particular through the European Semester, and safeguarding fiscal and financial stability in the EU.

It is responsible for the implementation of the European instrument for temporary Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE), providing financial assistance up to EUR 100 billion to Member States to protect workers and jobs by supporting short-time work schemes and similar measures. It is in charge of implementing the InvestEU programme, the EU's flagship investment programme to kick-start the European economy and mobilise private investment across Europe.

DG ECFIN contributes to development of policies that underpin economic growth based on competitive sustainability, while preserving macroeconomic and financial stability and contributing to transforming our economies towards climate neutrality. Within the Union, it undertakes economic surveillance based on extensive analysis, focusing on macroeconomic and fiscal policies, and bringing its assessments together under the framework of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In parallel, it contributes directly to the provision of financial support to build the conditions for economic growth. This includes financing for investment to underpin the greening and digitalization of our economies to deliver higher productivity and a better future, and to facilitate the recovery from economic shocks. It provides policy support for Economic and Monetary Union, to ensure the effective functioning of the euro and to give Europe a strong economic global presence. DG ECFIN engages in multilateral and bilateral relationships with international financial institutions and channels financial assistance to partner countries, including candidate countries and those in our geographical neighbourhood.

DG ECFIN performs its mission in liaison with a complex network of stakeholders. DG ECFIN works in close cooperation with finance ministries and ministries for the economy in Member States. It also interacts with national parliaments, social partners and other business, academic and civil society organisations. In addition, and as part of its role to promote the external dimension of the economic and monetary union, DG ECFIN partners with international partners in the IMF, G7, G20 and international development banks, as well as with key non-EU national authorities.

DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (EAC)

This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on education, youth, sport and culture. 

Responsibilities: DG EAC develops and carries out the Commission's policies on Culture and media, Sport, Education and training, Youth.

The department also supports these policies and priorities through a variety of projects and programmes, notably Creative Europe, Erasmus+ Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions , European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT)

DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL)

This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on employment, social affairs, skills, labour mobility and the related EU funding programmes. 

Responsibilities: DG EMPL develops and carries out the Commission's policies on: Employment and social affairs and on Education and training.

EU employment and social policies bring practical benefits to citizens, for example, in finding a job, moving to another Member State for work or other reasons, upgrading skills, etc. In partnership with national authorities, social partners, civil society organizations and other stakeholders, the Directorate-General addresses challenges linked to globalization, the ageing of Europe's population and changing social realities.  Examples of the areas in which we are active include support for: More and better jobs through the European Employment Strategy (which brings national policies closer in this field) and the European Social Fund (€9 billion per year managed in partnership with the Member States); Free movement of workers and coordination of social security schemes, which means that every EU national has the right to work and to live in any EU country and that people who move between countries are not disadvantaged in relation to social security including healthcare; Social inclusion by supporting efforts to combat poverty and social exclusion, reform social protection systems, assess new demographic and social developments.

The European Commission's priorities are set out in the Annual Management Plan of the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

DG Energy (ENER)

This Commission department is responsible for the EU's energy policy: secure, sustainable, and competitively priced energy for Europe.

Responsibilities: The Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) develops and carries out the Commission's policies on:

Energy efficiency (Energy efficiency-targets, directive and rules; Energy efficient buildings; Energy label and ecodesign; Ecodesign for sustainable products; Financing, Heating and cooling; Heat pumps, Cogeneration of heat and power).

Renewable energy (Renewable energy-directive, targets and rules); Enabling framework for renewables; Financing; Offshore renewable energy; EU wind energy; Solar energy; Bioenergy; Hydropower; Heating and cooling; Clean Energy Industrial Forum).

Markets and consumers (Electricity market design; Market legislation; Energy consumers and prosumers; Hydrogen and decarbonized gas market; Wholesale energy market; Actions and measures on energy prices; Smart grids and meters; Clean energy for EU islands; Capacity mechanisms; Energy taxation; Single market progress report; The euro in the field of energy).

Energy strategy ( 2050 Long-term strategy; Energy union; Equality platform for the energy sector; Clean energy for all Europeans package; National energy and climate plans (NECPs); Previous energy strategies).

Carbon management and fossil fuels (EU coal regions in transition ; Coal regions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine; Methane emissions; Oil and gas licensing; Industrial carbon management; Liquefied natural gas).

(Trans-European Networks for Energy; Projects of Common Interest and Projects of Mutual Interest; High-Level Groups; Public acceptance of infrastructure projects; Energy Infrastructure Forum; Electricity interconnection targets).

Energy security (EU Energy Platform; Security of gas supply; Safety of offshore oil and gas operations; Gas storage; Diversification of gas supply sources and routes; Security of electricity supply; Security of oil supply; Critical infrastructure and cybersecurity; Energy supply and pandemics).

Research and technology (Energy storage; Strategic Energy Technology Plan; Flexibility markets; Clean energy competitiveness; Energy and smart cities; Fusion energy and ITER; EU initiatives for smart energy systems; Digitalization of the energy system).

Funding and financing (EU funding possibility in the energy sector; Investors Dialogue on Energy; Energy efficiency financing; Renewable energy financing; Funding for projects of common interest; Recovery and Resilience Facility for clean energy; Financing decisions; Negotiated procedures).

International cooperation (Key partner countries and regions; EU external energy engagements; international organizations and initiatives; Intergovernmental energy agreements).

Nuclear energy (Nuclear safety; Small Modular Reactors; Decommissioning of nuclear facilities; Euratom safeguards; Radiological and nuclear technology in health; Radioactive waste and spent fuel; Radiation protection).

Energy systems integration (EU strategy on energy system integration; Hydrogen; Smart grids and meters; Digitalization of the energy system).

DG Environment (ENV)

The DG Environment is responsible for EU policy on the environment. It proposes and implements policies that ensure a high level of environmental protection and preserve the quality of life of EU citizens.

The Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV) develops and carries out the Commission's policies on:

Air (EU action to improve air quality and reduce air pollution).

Chemicals (EU action to ensure chemicals are safe, for health and the environment).

Circular Economy (The EU’s transition to a circular economy to make Europe cleaner and more competitive).

Industrial emissions and safety (EU action to make industry more sustainable and reduce industrial emissions).

Marine and coastal environment (EU action to protect Europe’s coasts, seas and oceans).

Nature and biodiversity (EU action on environmental conservation and protection).

Noise (EU action to reduce environmental noise pollution).

Plastics (EU action on plastic production and pollution to contribute to a circular economy).

Soil and land (EU action for the sustainable use of soil and land).

Urban environment (EU action to promote the sustainability of European cities).

Waste and recycling (EU action on waste management, treatment and recycling).

Water (EU action on water issues, to protect water resources).

DG European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)

The European Anti-Fraud Office investigates fraud against the EU budget, corruption and serious misconduct within the European institutions, and develops anti-fraud policy. OLAF is part of the European Commission, but has operational independence.

Responsibilities: Protect the financial interests of the EU by investigating fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities; Detect and investigate serious misconduct by EU staff which could result in disciplinary or criminal proceedings; Support the EU institutions and national governments in the development and implementation of anti-fraud legislation and policies.

DG- European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

The main mission of the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations is to preserve lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering and safeguard populations affected by natural hazards and man-made crises.

DG ECHO develops and carries out the Commission's policies on Humanitarian aid and civil protection

DG European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (NEAR)

The mission of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) is to take forward the EU's Neighbourhood and Enlargement policies.

DG NEAR works closely with the European External Action Service and the line DGs in charge of thematic priorities. By implementing assistance actions in Europe's eastern and southern neighbourhood, DG NEAR supports reform and democratic consolidation, and strengthens the prosperity, stability and security around Europe. DG NEAR helps to promote EU values, policies and interests in this region, and to contribute to developing the special relationship of the EU with its neighbouring countries.

In the enlargement area, DG NEAR assists those countries with a perspective to join the EU in meeting the criteria defined by the Treaty of European Union and the European Council. DG NEAR closely monitors the progress of enlargement countries towards the EU and supports accession negotiations as required by the Council. The DG manages the bilateral relations of the Union with candidate and potential candidate countries on their path to the EU, frontloading reforms on rule of law, economic governance and public administration reform. Concerning the Western Balkans, the DG develops and implements the stabilisation and association policy of the European Union as defined by the European Council.

DG NEAR manages the bulk of the Union’s financial and technical assistance to the neighbourhood and enlargement countries.

DG- European statistics (EUROSTAT)

Eurostat - European statistics

Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union, responsible for publishing high-quality Europe-wide statistics and indicators that enable comparisons between countries and regions.

Responsibilities: Develop harmonised definitions, classifications and methodologies for the production of European official statistics, in cooperation with national statistical authorities; Calculate aggregate data for the European Union and eurozone, using data collected by national statistical authorities according to the harmonised standards; Make European statistics freely available to decision‑makers and citizens via the Eurostat website and other channels.

DG Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (FISMA)

The Directorate‑General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union is the Commission department responsible for EU policy on financial services.

DG FISMA develops and carries out the Commission's policies on financial services: Regulation and supervision; Capital markets union and financial markets; Banking and banking union; Insurance and pension funds; Sustainable finance; Digital finance; Consumer finance and payments; Financial crime; EU and the world.

DG Health and Food Safety (SANTE)

This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on food safety and health and for monitoring the implementation of related laws.

Responsibilities

Our goals: We intend to make Europe a healthier and safer place. Our mission is to protect the citizens’ health and monitor their food making sure it is safe.

We aim to Build a strong European Health Union to protect and improve public health; Ensure Europe’s food is sustainable an safe; Protect the health and welfare of farm animals; Protect the health of crops and forests.

What we do: We will achieve our goals by monitoring, listening to your concerns and taking action.

Monitoring: Once the EU has adopted laws and policies on food safety and public health, it is up to national, regional and local governments to apply those laws. They have to ensure that authorities in charge, companies, manufacturers and food producers stick to the rules. Part of our job is to check that this is really happening.

Listening: When we make policies, we want to hear from all interested parties through consultation. We consider, for example, related EU policies on trade, competitiveness and the environment, among others, and the concerns of stakeholders.

Acting: Where EU action is needed, we propose laws and support projects. We also support national or regional authorities in areas where they are better placed to act.

DG SANTE develops and carries out the Commission's policies on: Food safety and Public health.

DG Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)

The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA) department’s mission is to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to health emergencies.

HERA anticipates threats and potential health crises, through intelligence gathering and building the necessary response capacities.

When an emergency hits, HERA will ensure the development, production and distribution of medicines, vaccines and other medical countermeasures .

HERA carries out the Commission's policies related to: Public health

DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW)

The Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is the Commission department that works to support an open, seamless and resilient Single Market, with open borders and free flow of goods and services.

Responsibilities: Single market and Business and industry

The Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is working to uphold and manage the Single Market for goods and services and to strengthen its governance. Its work helps ensure an open, seamless and resilient internal market, which is one of the cornerstones of European integration.

The DG supports the competitiveness, growth and resilience of the EU economy, while facilitating a transformative recovery from the coronavirus crisis. It focuses on strengthening the leadership of European industries across different industrial ecosystems, by leveraging the power of the Single Market and addressing strategic dependencies in our supply chains. In addition, it implements policies that sustain entrepreneurship and growth, in particular to the benefit of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), including facilitating access to funding and to global markets for EU companies.

The DG also leads efforts on digitisation and decarbonisation of European industry and SMEs. It contributes to the objective of turning the EU into a greener, more digital and more resilient economy, in line with the Commission’s priorities to build an economy that works for people and a Europe fit for the digital age.

DG GROW manages the implementation of the Single Market Programme (4.2 billion EUR from 2021 to 2027), which aims to strengthen the governance of the Single Market. This improved market surveillance will help to make the internal market work better including boosting the competitiveness of businesses, in particular SMEs. The Single Market Programme will develop effective European standards and advance international financial and non-financial reporting and auditing standards. It will also further raise consumer protection standards, maintaining high levels of food safety. DG GROW also manages parts of the Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe.

The DG's work is organised around the 14 industrial ecosystems, the new paradigm integrating policy perspective across goods and services and the coordination hubs for cross cutting issues within the DG such as “green”, “digitalisation” or “standards”.

External bodies

While DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs maintains policy control of its support programmes, financial management is largely taken care of by:

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) which implements the European Innovation Council and manages other EU programmes focusing on SME support, innovation and the single market including parts of the Single Market Programme.

European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) manages European programmes and initiatives to help rebuild a post-COVID-19 Europe at its heart, which will be greener, more digital, more resilient and better fit for the current and forthcoming challenges, including parts of Horizon Europe, Single Market Programme and Digital Europe Programme.

DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs also supervises certain regulatory agencies: the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) which implements the EU’s legislation on chemical products; the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) which is the trademark and designs registry of the European Union

DG- International Partnerships (INTPA)

DG International Partnerships is responsible for formulating the EU’s international partnership and development policy, with the ultimate goal to reduce poverty, ensure sustainable development, and promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across the world.

Policies

The EU addresses global challenges through international partnerships that uphold and promote European values and interests, and contribute to peace and prosperity in the world.

Global Gateway strategy is the new European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.

The European Commission champions multilateralism and a rules-based global order through a more active role and stronger voice for the EU in the world.

EU International Partnerships focuses on these policy areas:

Climate, environment and energy. As a global leader, the EU leads international efforts to address environmental challenges and to promote the implementation of ambitious environment, climate and energy policies across the world. 

Policy areas: Biodiversity and ecosystems; Climate change; Forests; Nuclear safety; Nutrition and food security; Oceans; Sustainable energy; Sustainable food systems; Transboundary water cooperation; Water, energy, food, and ecosystem nexus.

Digital and infrastructure: With the EU Digital Strategy and new digital partnerships, the EU strives to foster a human-centric vision for the digital economy and society across the globe. 

Policy areas: Responsible digitalization; Sustainable cities; Transport.

Gender equality: Gender equality is one of the EU’s core values. Women and girls are key agents of development and change. Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is vital to building fair, inclusive, prosperous and peaceful societies everywhere.

Policy areas: Ensuring freedom from gender-based violence; Gender equality and empowering women and girls.

Human development: Health, education and a decent standard of living are the key elements to ensure human development. The EU works with partners countries to support health systems and infrastructures, education policies, social protection and to reduce inequalities.

Policy areas: Access to water and sanitation; Child labour; Culture; Education; EU global response to COVID-19; Health and demography; Reducing inequalities; Skills and vocational training; Social protection; Strengthening health systems.

Migration and forced displacement: Our aim is to ensure migration is safe, orderly, and regular. We protect migrants and refugees from dangerous and exploitative forms of migration.

Policy areas: Migration; Forced displacement

Peace and governance: The EU promotes and protects human rights, democracy and the rule of law worldwide. Human rights and democracy are inextricably connected. 

Policy areas: Civil society; Democracy; Human rights and fundamental values; Justice and Rule of law; Peace and security.

Sustainable growth and jobs: Employment, decent work and investment are at the core of sustainable growth. Investing in people goes hand in hand with economic growth and investment. Investment allows a country’s private sector to boost its development and competitiveness, which in turn creates jobs and deepens trade integration.

Policy areas: Business environment and investment climate; Economic integration, trade and connectivity; Employment and decent work; Financing sustainable development; Private sector and sustainable industries.

Youth: Young people are key drivers of positive change, and essential partners to advance sustainable and inclusive development. Nearly all policy decisions have an impact on youth, and youth participation is central to the EU’s values and policies.

Policy areas: Youth Action Plan; Youth participation

Development policies framework

European development policy: European development policy fosters sustainable development and stability in developing countries, with the ultimate goal of eradicating extreme poverty. Development assistance is one of the pillars of the EU’s external action, alongside foreign, security, and trade policies.

Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs were set in 2015 by the international community as part of the UN2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in a pledge to eradicate poverty, find sustainable solutions, ensure everyone’s human rights, and leave no one behind by 2030.

DG-Justice and Consumers (JUST)

This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on justice, fundamental rights, rule of law, consumer rights and equality.

The Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers develops and carries out the Commission's policies on Justice and fundamental rights

Respect for people's fundamental rights by the EU and by its member countries; Equal treatment on the basis of sex, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation; Protection for people's personal data anywhere in the EU; Access to justice in case of legal difficulties anywhere in the EU; Protecting and empowering consumers.

DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE)

The Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) develops and carries out the Commission's policies on: Maritime affairs and fisheries.

The Directorate-General works to: Ensure that the ocean resources are used sustainably and that coastal communities and the fishing sector have a prosperous future; Promote maritime policies and stimulate a sustainable blue economy; Promoteocean governance at international level

DG Migration and Home Affairs HOME

DG HOME is responsible for EU policy on migration and home affairs.

Responsibilities:

A balanced and comprehensive Migration Policy ( The New Pact on Migration and Asylum is a comprehensive and European approach to migration focusing on responsibility and solidarity. It wants to put in place a fairer, more European approach to manage migration and asylum. It aims to provide a humane and effective long-term response to current challenges of irregular migration: developing legal migration pathways, better integrating refugees and other newcomers as well as deepening migration partnerships with countries of origin and transit for mutual benefit).

Internal security (DG HOME is responsible for the EU’s internal security policy, which is a component of the new Security Union Strategy 2020-2025. The aim is to build a safer Europe by fighting terrorism and organised crime, by promoting police cooperation and by preparing to swiftly respond to emerging crises. Actions in these areas include stricter rules against illicit trafficking of firearms and on trafficking in human beings, as well as revision of legislation on combating child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and child pornography.

Securing EU external borders- Schengen, borders and visa (Secure the EU external borders and maintain an area without borders, in which citizens, many non-EU nationals, business people and tourists can freely circulate without being subjected to border checks (the Schengen Area). 

External dimension (In our policies, we promote dialogue and cooperation with non-EU countries so that we can work in partnership and jointly tackle common challenges. Our external action contributes to the strengthening of the EU’s position as a reliable, active and pragmatic global player, while ensuring the effectiveness of our policies. We also manage EU financing instruments that support concrete actions in the field of home affair).

DG-Mobility and Transport (MOVE)

This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on mobility and transport. 

Responsibilities

DG MOVE develops and carries out the Commission's policies on Mobility and Transport

Transport Networks; Transport Investment; Innovation & Research; Sustainable & Intelligent Transport; Social aspects, passenger rights & equal opportunities.

Land (Road transport; Road safety; Single European Rail Area; Rail safety and interoperability).

Waterborne (Maritime transport & logistics; Maritime safety ; Ports and inland navigation).

Aviation (Aviation policy; Aviation agreements ; Single European Sky; Aviation safety).

DG-Regional and Urban Policy (REGIO)

This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on regions and cities. DG REGIO develops and carries out the Commission's policies on Regional policy. Work with EU member countries, regions and other stakeholders to assess needs, finance investments and evaluate the results from a long-term EU perspective.

DG-Research and Innovation (RTD)

This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on research, science and innovation, with a view to help create growth and jobs and tackle our biggest societal challenges. DG Research and Innovation develops and carries out the Commission's policies on Research and Innovation.

DG-Trade (TRADE)

This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on trade with countries beyond the EU's borders.

Responsibilities

The Directorate-General for Trade develops and carries out the Commission's policies on Trade

Trade topics

Trade negotiations & agreements (Up-to-date information on current trade talks, and trade agreements already in place)

Access 2 Markets (Helping small firms make the most of EU trade deals)

EU and WTO (The EU's role in the World Trade Organization and our ideas for reform)

Transparency

EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine

Enforcement and protection (Enforcement of international rules and protection of  European businesses from unfair trade