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EU Knowledge · Current affairs

Ten EU policies worth knowing now

Free, source-led study guides connecting the EU rulebook with the policy choices shaping today’s Union.

10
policy guides
Public access
100% free Current to August 2026

Turn current affairs into exam-ready knowledge

Each guide explains what the EU is doing, why it matters, who decides and which details are most likely to be confused under exam pressure.

Stylised EU stars around a seven-year budget ledger and stacked euro coins
01
EU Policy Compass

EU Budget, Multiannual Financial Framework and Own Resources

Learn how the EU sets spending ceilings, adopts annual budgets, raises revenue and controls implementation. This compass connects the current 2021–2027 framework with the proposed 2028–2034 budget and its new own resources.

12 min read Read guide
Stylised map of connected EU regions with a bridge, city and upward path
02
EU Policy Compass

EU Cohesion and Regional Development Policy

Understand how EU cohesion policy reduces regional disparities through shared-management funds, place-based programmes, partnership and performance controls, including the adopted 2025 mid-term changes.

12 min read Read guide
Stylised EU customs gate with parcel scanner, tariff document and tax calculator
03
EU Policy Compass

EU Customs Union and Tax Cooperation

Separate the EU's exclusive customs union from nationally administered taxation, then follow the rules for tariffs, VAT, excise duties, direct-tax cooperation and the major digital reforms now being implemented.

13 min read Read guide
Small fishing vessel crossing blue waves beneath an EU circle of stars
04
EU Policy Compass

EU Ocean, Fisheries and Blue Economy Policy

Learn how the Common Fisheries Policy combines conservation, fishing opportunities, market rules, control and funding, and how the European Ocean Pact connects those rules with marine protection, coastal resilience, science and a competitive blue economy.

12 min read Read guide
Balanced scales beside an EU flag and a protected ballot box
05
EU Policy Compass

EU Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights and Democratic Resilience

Understand the EU values framework, annual monitoring, infringement action, Article 7, budget conditionality, fundamental-rights limits and the new legal and strategic tools protecting elections, media and the information space.

13 min read Read guide
EU stars above a shield, factory gear and coordinated defence vehicles
06
EU Policy Compass

EU Defence Readiness and Defence Industrial Policy

Map the EU's defence roles, decision-making and industrial tools, from CSDP and mutual assistance to PESCO, the European Defence Fund, SAFE, EDIP and the Readiness 2030 agenda.

14 min read Read guide
Stylised European factory, microchip and shield linked by a circle of EU stars
07
EU Policy Compass

EU Competitiveness, Industrial Policy and Economic Security

Understand how the EU combines Single Market law, industrial policy, investment, trade and security tools to close the innovation gap, decarbonise production and reduce dangerous dependencies.

11 min read Read guide
Stylised shield protecting a digital network, power line and hospital beneath EU stars
08
EU Policy Compass

EU Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Resilience

Map the EU rules for cyber risk management, secure digital products, critical entities, certification and collective response—and track the important application dates.

11 min read Read guide
Stylised EU emergency coordination centre linking an aircraft, medical kit and warning beacon
09
EU Policy Compass

EU Preparedness, Civil Protection and Crisis Response

Learn how the EU anticipates all-hazards risks, coordinates civil-protection assistance, builds rescEU reserves and links stockpiling, health security and crisis governance.

11 min read Read guide
Stylised European satellite above Earth sending navigation, observation and secure communication signals
10
EU Policy Compass

EU Space Policy and the European Space Economy

Master the EU Space Programme, its flagship services, secure connectivity, governance and the proposed rules for a safer, more resilient and sustainable space economy.

11 min read Read guide