The health pass in France, introduced on 9 August, was extended on 30 August to people and employees working in places where it is required. In Belgium, restrictions in bars and restaurants were lifted on 1 September in Flanders and Wallonia but maintained in Brussels. The health pass requirement was lifted in Denmark on 1 September, and all restrictions are to be lifted on 10 September. To follow developments in the situation and learn about the conditions of entry into the various EU Member States, the Foundation offers a complete map of the measures in place. An indispensable, regularly updated resource.

More than a year after the rigged presidential election of 9 August 2020, the Belarusian regime's crackdown on the opposition, civil society and independent media continues, despite European censure and sanctions. During the summer, the influx of migrants organised by the Belarusian authorities led Lithuania and Poland to declare a state of emergency at their borders, and the European Union to deploy reinforcements. To follow this crisis, the Foundation offers you a chronology of events and links to European responses and initiatives.

In response to the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Union has set up a €672.5 billion recovery fund, known as the Recovery and Resilience Facility, for Member States in the form of grants and loans. 18 plans have been adopted so far and 10 countries have already received their pre-financing. The Foundation provides an interactive map of the plans country by country, showing amounts, timetables and priorities.

This autumn, a worthwhile read is the new edition of the 'Permanent Atlas of the European Union' published by Marie B. It reflects the latest political and economic changes in the European Union and its Member States. With over 50 maps, texts and thematic sheets, the Atlas summarises the essential history and political and statistical realities of the Union. It is available in paper version in French in bookshops and on our website, and in digital version in French and English. Order it here...

On 14 September, the Foundation is organising an online debate on the federal elections of 26 September in Germany. Frank Baasner, director of the Franco-German Institute in Ludwigsburg, Joachim Bitterlichn, former ambassador, and Hélène Kohl, journalist and correspondent in Berlin, will analyse the issues at stake in the elections and discuss the country's political future. The debate will be moderated by Pascale Joannin, Managing Director of the Foundation.

The Commission reached an agreement with AstraZeneca on 3 September on the delivery of 135 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine by the end of the year, and a further 65 million doses by March 2022. This agreement puts an end to the dispute between the EU and the laboratory that was being examined by the Belgian courts. On 4 August, the Commission signed an agreement with Novavax for the delivery of at least 100 million doses once the vaccine has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Since 1 September, a new version of energy labels for light bulbs and other lighting products has been in force in the EU. The energy efficiency classification of products has been simplified to take account of improved technology.

At an informal meeting in Slovenia on 2 September, the 27 Defence Ministers discussed the lessons to be learned from the situation in Afghanistan, the security and defence implications of the crisis and its operational implications. They also discussed the strengthening of resilience in the context of the preparation of the EU Strategic Compass.

Economy and Finance Ministers took stock of the recovery plans on 6 September. They discussed the national plans of the Czech Republic and Ireland, which are expected to be formally approved by written procedure by 8 September.

The World Conservation Congress, organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is being held in Marseille until 11 September with the aim of strengthening international action to protect biodiversity. At the opening of the congress, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the share of French maritime space in the Mediterranean benefiting from "strong protection" will increase from 0.2% to 5% within 5 years.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Moldova's independence on 27 August, the French and Moldovan foreign ministers, Jean-Yves Le Drian and Nicu Popescu, reiterated in a joint declaration the close ties between the two countries and their wish to develop their economic relations. France reasserted its support to democracy in Moldova, to its European orientation and to its territorial integrity.

The unemployment rate fell in July to 6.9% in the EU and 7.6% in the euro area, according to figures published by Eurostat on 1 September. Youth unemployment stood at 16.2% in the EU and 16.5% in the euro area.

In a study published on 28 July, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre assesses different scenarios for the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy and climate and biodiversity programmes. The study highlights the potential benefits of these policies but notes a risk of lower production as well as price and income instability

From 9 to 12 September, the Madrid Association of Art Galleries is organising Apertura, a programme of exhibitions, visits and meetings with artists throughout the city.

Until 6 February 2022, the National Gallery of Ireland is presenting an exhibition dedicated to Jack B Yeats to mark the 150th anniversary of the Irish painter's birth. The exhibition features 40 years of oil paintings.

From 8 September to 6 December, the Centre Pompidou in Paris will be presenting its first retrospective devoted to Georgia O'Keefe. More than 100 paintings, drawings and photos follow the work and life of this major figure of 20th century American art.

The Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw is showing paintings by Wilhelm Sasnal, one of the leading contemporary Polish artists, until 10 January 2022. Through landscapes, the painter evokes the memory of the Shoah.

The European Heritage Days 2021 opened on 1 September. More than 70 000 events such as exhibitions, workshops, performances and guided tours are planned until mid-November in 50 countries across the continent.

The 78th Venice International Film Festival is being held until 11 September. 21 films are competing and the jury is chaired by Korean director Bong Joon-ho.