On November 27, the European Commission adopted a new framework for a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy. With this new strategy, the European Union supports activities using biological resources in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, biomass and biotechnologies, with the aim of moving towards a more circular and low-carbon economy and reducing its dependence on fossil fuel imports.

On 27 and 28 November, the ministers for education and culture discussed aligning learning with the needs of the labour market, while ensuring quality standards in education. They discussed how the Erasmus+ 2028-2034 programme could contribute to strengthening the resilience of young people in Europe, with a particular focus on civic and democratic engagement. They approved the conclusions of the European Shield for Democracy, presented by the Commission on 12 November. Finally, they discussed a report on the AgoraEU programme project, which promotes Europe's cultural and linguistic heritage, as well as artistic and media freedom.

Every year since 1852, the city of Lyon is illuminated from 5 to 8 December. This is the perfect time to admire the many light installations and projections on the city's emblematic buildings. The 'Lumignons du Coeur' operation is also designed to promote solidarity.

On 28 November, ministers from Europe and the southern Mediterranean partner countries met in Barcelona to officially launch the Pact for the Mediterranean, presented by the Commission on 16 October. The launch took place on the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process, which promotes cooperation and stability between the EU and Mediterranean countries through shared initiatives. It is a step towards a common Mediterranean area that is more stable, secure and prosperous.

On 26 November, the European Commission approved new disbursements for Greece, Portugal, Slovenia and Austria under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). A total of €4 billion has been disbursed: Greece has received its 6th instalment of €2.1 billion, Portugal has received its 7th instalment of €1.06 billion, Austria has received its 3rd instalment of €515.5 million and Slovenia has received its 4th instalment of €439.7 million. Details of these disbursements are available on the Foundation's website.

On 27 November, Portuguese MPs adopted the 2026 budget, forecasting a public surplus of 0.1% of GDP. Following surpluses in 2023 (1.3%) and 2024 (0.5%), Portugal should record a surplus of 0.3% this year. Public debt is expected to fall to 87.8% of GDP next year, compared with more than 130% at the height of the eurozone crisis in 2011. According to the budget forecasts, Portugal's economy is set to grow by 2% this year and 2.3% in 2026, following a 2.1% rise in GDP last year.

On 27 November, European Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho found procedural shortcomings in the way the European Commission prepared several projects she considered urgent. Taken together, these failings constitute a case of maladministration. The negligence occurred in the context of legislative projects concerning corporate sustainability due diligence, the common agricultural policy and the fight against migrant smuggling. In two recommendations to the Commission, the Ombudsman called for predictable, consistent and non-arbitrary application of better regulation rules and for future urgent preparation of legislative proposals always to be transparent and evidence-based.

On 27 November, Interpol's General Assembly unanimously adopted a new Strategic Framework which will serve as a five-year roadmap in the fight against evolving global criminal threats, such as cyber fraud, trafficking in human beings, illicit financing and fraud centres. The delegates also elected the new Executive Committee, which will be chaired by Frenchman Lucas Philippe. He is the third Frenchman to head Interpol since its creation 102 years ago.

On 27 November, the OECD published the 2025 edition of its annual report, Pensions at a Glance, in which it estimates that the working-age population will shrink by 13% over the next 40 years, and that GDP per capita will fall by 14% by 2060 as a result. Countries will face downward pressure on their revenues, against a backdrop of rising expenditure linked to demographic ageing. The normal retirement age will range from 62 in Colombia (for men), Luxembourg and Slovenia to 70 or more in Denmark, Estonia, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden. The Robert Schuman Foundation regularly updates a pensions table listing the specific features of the pension schemes in the 27 Member States of the European Union.

On 1 December, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published new data on global arms sales, which rose sharply in 2024. The 100 largest arms companies sold $679 billion worth of weapons and military services in 2024, a record increase of 5.9%. This increase in demand is being driven by the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as by the steady rise in military spending.

At an informal meeting on 26 November, the foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in the negotiations in Geneva aimed at ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. They exchanged views on the need to maintain pressure on the Russian regime while increasing military and financial support for Ukraine. On the same day, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, gave a speech to the European Parliament, calling for a 'just, lasting and secure' peace for Ukraine. She stressed the need for an agreement that fully respected Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, guaranteeing the security of the whole of Europe.

Following discussions between 17 and 21 November, the IMF announced that it had reached an agreement to support Ukraine for 48 months under the Extended Fund Facility. The IMF has approved the principle of a potential 5.94 billion Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), or around $8.1 billion, corresponding to 295% of Ukraine's quota.

On 27 November, Members of the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Union to assume greater responsibility for European security and to support peace in Ukraine as proactively as possible. They argued that any lasting peace must be preceded by an effective ceasefire and backed up by solid security guarantees from the EU and the United States. Finally, they demanded that any peace agreement should provide for full compensation by Russia for the material and immaterial damage it has caused in Ukraine.