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Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

The EU has supported the justice sector, transparency mechanisms, the fight against corruption, electoral reforms, strengthening the national human rights protection system (e.g. ProDerechos[1]) and deployed consecutive election observation missions (EOMs). EU humanitarian assistance, focusing on people displaced, disaster preparedness and food insecurity, is channelled through international non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies implementing projects.

The EU remains ready to support a positive national reform agenda prioritising inclusive and sustainable development. Strengthening governance, rule of law, fighting corruption and protecting human rights are paramount.

The Multi-annual Indicative Programme 2021-2027[2] (EUR 163 million) focuses on three priorities (sustainable management of natural resources and climate change; employment, decent work and sustainable growth; rule of law, democratic governance) and allows to maintain applicable oversight mechanisms to ensure funds are directed towards above-mentioned objectives.

Following the primary elections in March 2025, the EU clearly expressed support for the National Electoral Council, a key institution for the organisation of the general elections on 30 November 2025, and called on all state institutions to support its work as stipulated by the Honduran Constitution[3].

In response to the invitation by Honduras to observe the upcoming elections, the EU will deploy an election exploratory mission six to four months before the elections. This mission will evaluate whether deployment of an EU EOM is advisable, useful and feasible. On that basis, the High Representative/Vice-President will decide on the deployment of an EOM.

• [1] Programme ProDerechos Honduras, https://www.proderechos.hn/.
• [2] Multi-annual Indiciative Programme Programme for Honduras 2021-2027, https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/honduras_en.
• [3] Declaración Local de la Unión Europea en Honduras, 24 March 2025, https://x.com/EUambHN/status/1904281667289641435/photo/1.

Source: European Parliament

Attracting young people to agriculture has been a goal of the European Union’s (EU) common agricultural policy (CAP) since the 1980s. However, EU farmers are getting older – 57 % of farm managers are over 55 years of age, while only 12 % are under 40. Young farmers ensure continuity of agricultural production and bring vitality to rural areas. They are also more likely to modernise farms, engage in environmentally friendly practices and employ new business models and ideas. Young people who decide to go into farming often experience difficulties in accessing land, finance and knowledge. They also have to navigate the general challenges that come with living in rural areas. To address these issues, the CAP mandates that EU Member States allocate an equivalent of 3 % of their direct payments to support young farmers. This support can come in the form of complementary income support, installation aid and support for investment. Furthermore, Member States use the LEADER programme to improve infrastructure and basic services in rural areas. Some also provide support for farms that are being passed down from one generation to the next. However, several studies reveal that, despite several decades of efforts, these measures have shown limited results. The support being provided is considered insufficient to address the issue of access to land, especially for people entering agriculture without inheriting a farm. Nonetheless, this support is crucial for convincing young people to take over a farm and is often used for investment, as collateral when obtaining a loan, or for expanding an existing farm. Over the next three years, in addition to what is being provided under the CAP, the European Investment Bank Group is planning to provide €3 billion in loans on favourable terms for agriculture, with a share reserved for young farmers. In the current term, the European Parliament has not adopted a formal position on young farmers and generational renewal. However, its committees are working on own-initiative reports on the future of agriculture and strengthening rural areas. Parliament has previously called for a dedicated EU strategy on generational renewal, which the European Commission plans to put forward in 2025.

Source: European Parliament

Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime and a violation of human rights. When it happens to children, it disrupts their childhood and exposes them to horrific exploitation and abuse, and a precarious future. Even though the true number of victims of human trafficking is not known, recent data reveal that the number of child victims has been on the increase. Awareness of children as victims of human trafficking has increased as well. Just like adult victims, child victims can be trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced criminality or organ removal. Recently, the EU has officially recognised new forms of exploitation, including surrogacy, forced marriage and illegal adoption. There are geographical differences in the recruitment of victims, with the vast majority of child victims originating from northern, southern and western Europe being girls (82.9 %) and 55.1 % of child victims from Africa and 77.6 % of child victims from southern Asia being boys. Female child victims are more likely to report sexual exploitation, while male child victims are more likely to be exploited through child labour. Forced criminality in the EU, although comparatively lower as a share of the total number of victims, is steadily increasing, with boys of migration background being the main targets. The EU’s anti-trafficking legislation was amended last year, resulting in legislation that identifies children as especially vulnerable to trafficking. The amendments also expanded the list of forms of exploitation to include those that particularly affect children and emphasised the importance of a victim-centred approach and prevention. Member States are therefore asked, inter alia, to promote and provide regular and specialised training for professionals who are likely to come into contact with such children. Another relevant directive, on victims’ rights, is currently being revised to provide even more rights to victims, including child victims. The existing directive already prioritises the best interests of children when applying its provisions.

Source: European Parliament

On 20 May, Members discussed the Customs Union with Commissioner Maros Šefčovič, who highlighted the strategic importance of reforming the Customs Union as a response to evolving trade patterns and the increasing pressure on the integrity of the Single Market. Customs authorities, he noted, act as frontline defenders of the Single Market, ensuring that unsafe and non-compliant goods do not enter the EU.

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

The EU aims to become the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050. Since the announcement of the European Green Deal and following the adoption of the European Climate Law in 2021, the EU’s climate agenda has been built even more around the principle of carbon pricing. The EU emissions trading system (ETS) is, today, the cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to achieve this vision, complemented by a mix of industrial, energy and climate policies. Currently, the EU ETS covers stationary (power and industrial) installations, domestic aviation and maritime transport. Following the revision of the EU ETS Directive, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings, road transport and additional sectors not covered by the existing EU ETS will be covered under a new ETS2. Carbon pricing is expected to regulate around 75 % of EU GHG emissions from 2027. Following the adoption of the revised ETS Directive in 2023, Member States had to transpose the ETS2 into national law. The ETS2 will target GHG emissions from fuel for the sectors covered. Fuel suppliers have to buy and surrender emissions allowances and are likely to pass on the cost of this new instrument to final consumers. Consumers are likely to face higher energy bills if they do not switch to low-carbon technologies, which is why the ETS2, while aiming to achieve climate objectives, has become a social concern. A new Social Climate Fund will support the switch to low-carbon technologies in the building and transport sectors, including but not only through direct payments for vulnerable households impacted by the new ETS2. However, some stakeholders have claimed that the Social Climate Fund will not be enough and are asking for the ETS2 to be delayed or modified. This briefing looks at the recent issues and concerns that have been raised regarding the ETS2.