Category: Archives
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The Withdrawal of the Equal Treatment Directive: The EU’s Missed Opportunity to Close Legal Gaps
Earlier this year, the European Commission announced the withdrawal of its proposal for the Equal Treatment Directive, a key piece of legislation intended to close longstanding gaps in EU anti-discrimination law. First introduced in 2008, the directive had been stalled in the Council of the EU for over 15 years. It aimed to ensure equal…
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“We need to be the advocate of unity, not uniformity” — Civil Society Week 2025 calls for stronger CSOs
In an increasingly polarised society, how do Civil Society Organisations continue their essential labour? This was the question that all participants of the Civil Society Week pondered during the 4 days that the event lasted. “We need to be the advocate of unity, not uniformity.” said Adriana Porowska, Polish Minister for Civil Society. Calls for…
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6 facts to understand women’s barriers to entrepreneurship
Today is International Women’s day. Despite all the progress made in the matter of gender equality, a lot remains to be tackled in the entrepreneurial world. Here you have 6 important facts to consider to understand gender inequality in the business sector: According to PitchBook’s European VC Female Founders Dashboard, in 2024 only 1.6% of…
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“We need to start addressing racism early” – Kirstie Angstmann reflects on migration, integration and opportunities
Kirstie Angstmann lives in Freiburg, Germany, but she was born in Ghana and moved to Europe many years ago. She has a background in cultural projects and has served on Freiburg’s Migrant Advisory Board and Women’s Commission for the last four years. She is a strong advocate for advancing the inclusion of migrants, minorities, and…
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Celebrating the contribution of migrants: Championing business success and community engagement
If immigrants across the EU were as active in self-employment as 30-49 year old native-born men, there would be an additional 1.3 million self-employed immigrants (OCDE, The Missing Entrepreneurs 2023). Migrants indisputably contribute greatly to both their origin and their destination countries, yet they face heavy barriers to reach their full potential as entrepreneurs. Today…
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The diversity investment gap: Is Europe overlooking migrant entrepreneurs?
By Vanessa Cotterell Project Coordinator at UNITEE The European Union stands at a critical point in its economic and financial strategy, as it navigates the challenges and opportunities of the green and digital transitions, alongside a new political term for the European Commission and Parliament. Investment, competitiveness, and resilience have resurfaced as key policy buzzwords…
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We are going to the Integrating Cities Conference: Shaping Our Cities with Migrant and Local Communities
The power of municipalities in the integration of migrant communities is not to be undermined. But how can cities become more inclusive? This week, we are heading to Bologna, Italy, to attend the “11th Integrating Cities Conference: Shaping Our Cities with Migrant and Local Communities” , which is part of the UNITES (Urban Integration Strategies…
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Is the new Commission committed to inclusiveness?
The upcoming days will shape the next five years of the European Commission. Back in August, EU member states nominated their candidates for the next European Commission. Now, from 4-12 November, the Commissioners-designate who were assigned to various portfolios by President Von der Leyen will undergo hearings conducted by Members of the European Parliament. Let’s…
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Collective Identity, Super-Diversity, and an Agenda for Inclusive Entrepreneurship – Interview with Dr. Adem Kumcu, UNITEE President
Brussels, 21 March 2024 – Following the launch of the European Agenda for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, we sit down with UNITEE President Adem Kumcu to talk about the intersection of social, cultural and sustainable entrepreneurship, why we need to return to the EU’s foundational principles, new interpretations of collective identity in our super-diverse societies, and why…
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Our interview with H.E. Ms. Gaitri Ambassador of India to the Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU on India-EU economic, political and cultural relations
In October 2017, the 14th India-EU Summit was unable to set in motion the stalled negotiations for concluding the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), or Broad Based Trade and Investment agreement (BTIA). According to you, what are the main obstacles to the conclusion of an agreement? Trade has been an integral part of the EU…