Written by Professional journalists
Archaeopolitics: Parthenon, Greece’s national arena
In 2025, a sneaker-shaped Adidas drone and a banned Lanthimos shoot sparked debate over the Parthenon’s meaning. This essay explores how heritage becomes “archaeopolitics”: a struggle over identity, power, and belonging.
Reclaiming our Digital Rights with Homo Digitalis
Digital rights are not a tech issue — they’re a democracy issue. When surveillance becomes routine, citizenship turns into data. In Vox Civica, we join Homo Digitalis to ask: how do we reclaim our digital space — and our voice — in the algorithmic age?
Migration in Europe — cutting through the myths
The debate around migration in the EU is often full of emotions, oversimplifications, and stereotypes. Yet data tells a more nuanced story. Understanding the real numbers behind migration helps us see how policies are shaped — and how they affect millions of people living across Europe.
Europe’s biggest challenge? The housing crisis
Europe’s housing crisis is deepening — and it’s shaking the foundations of social stability. This isn’t just about the price of bricks and cement. It’s about fundamental rights, equal opportunities, and the cohesion of our communities.
Moral panic & democratic repression: A conversation with Donatella Della Porta
Europe stands at a crossroads where defending democracy increasingly means restricting it. In this episode, Professor Donatella della Porta unpacks how moral panics, memory politics, and the weaponization of antisemitism are reshaping the boundaries of dissent — and asks what remains of democratic debate when criticism itself becomes a crime.
Chemistry of equal opportunities: internships in the chemical industry
The European Alliance for Apprentices (EAfA) aims to make France’s chemical industry more sustainable, inclusive, and ready for the green transition. The key question is whether these ambitious promises translate into real change or remain mostly a tool of public relations.
Theodor Himmel from EPIS think-tank: On what think-tanks actually do, and how to get started in one
Today at the PulseZ podcast we talk to the founder and chairman of the EPIS think-tank, Theodor Himmel. Dive into what working for a think-tank entails, and learn how to get involved and start publishing.
Revolution in electric motors: the EU prepares new rules that could transform the industry
EU regulations are gearing up to shake up the design of electric motors – from public consultations to new standards that will shape the future of energy efficiency and the competitiveness of industry within a circular economy.
How technology is shaping order beyond democracy
With global tech giants gaining ever more influence, questions are emerging about the future world order. Are we entering an era where power is no longer public but owned by corporations?
Artificial intelligence in newsrooms: lifeline or threat to democracy?
Automation was meant to be the cure for information overload.
Sweden’s secret to tackling gangs: Malmö’s surprising results
Can the cycle of gang violence be broken by combining tough enforcement with offers of help? Sweden’s “Group Violence Intervention” (GVI), known in Malmö as “Sluta skjut,” seems to suggest it can.
Autonomous AI agents: will the European Union dare to regulate?
Can artificial intelligence sign contracts on behalf of humans, and if so — who is responsible? The European Commission is grappling with a question that, just a decade ago, seemed straight out of science fiction.
Polls: What young people think of EU institutions and how many no longer trust them
Most young Europeans say they are convinced of the EU's potential, although 39% believe it isn't democratic enough. This is the finding of a YouGov survey conducted with the Tui Foundation, which funds youth projects in Europe.
PulseZ Week 2025: Empowering Youth Voices
PulseZ Week is a celebration of youth-driven media and civic participation, connecting hundreds of young people across Europe through journalism, storytelling, and dialogue.
Europe vs cyber threats: Galileo launches service to protect billions
Faced with a rising wave of cyberattacks and global GNSS signal disruptions, Galileo has launched the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA). It sounds like a tech breakthrough, but is it enough to truly keep users safe?
Google vs DMA: new play store fees as a tactic to avoid EU sanctions
Are Google’s recent changes to Play Store fees really about protecting users, or are they more about safeguarding the company’s financial interests?
Generation in motion: Érica Moreira on youth, Democracy & collective struggle
In this episode of Vox Civica, activist and Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize finalist Érica Moreira reflects on what it means to defend democracy in an era of polarization and far-right resurgence — from youth-led protests and digital campaigns to grassroots movements reshaping Europe’s civic landscape.
Toxic green algae in Brittany: a warning for the future of farming
The debate over the future of farming in Brittany has become a powerful symbol of the clash between economic interests, environmental concerns, and political choices.
Defending journalists with the OSCE: A conversation with Cecilia Vera Lagomarsino
In this episode of Vox Civica, Cecilia Vera Lagomarsino of the OSCE RFoM explores what protection for journalists means today — from protest observation and early warning systems to field missions and other initiatives defending media freedom.
What the European Union Youth Report Says: Nearly a Quarter Are at Risk of Poverty
The European Commission has published its EU Youth Report, which provides a snapshot of what it means to be young in the EU today, amidst the demographic challenge and the risk of poverty and social exclusion.
Denmark and the ontology of body copyright
Denmark’s proposal to grant citizens copyright over their own features reframes digital identity as a question of democratic security — a real-world echo of Black Mirror’s warning that our image and voice can be taken from us.
Quiz: match these European musicians to their countries
Think you know where your fave European artists come from? Ready to prove your music geography skills — or discover some new artists for your playlist? Take the quiz and see if you’re a Certified Euro Music Expert or just vibing with whatever TikTok puts on your FYP.
Wetlands as Europe’s natural shield against the nitrogen crisis?
Restoring some of Europe’s historic wetlands could reduce nitrogen pollution in waterways without heavily impacting agriculture. The question remains: are EU policymakers and the farming sector ready to embrace nature-based solutions?
What Italians Think of Europe: The Latest Survey Reveals Opinions on the EU
The 2025 Eurobarometer captures Italians' opinions on the European Union, including expectations, fears, and concrete requests. Compared to the EU average, according to the winter survey, a more cautious attitude prevails in Italy: confidence in European cooperation, but less optimism about their own future.
Passenger protection in the EU: legal guarantees and everyday challenges
Traveling safely within the EU? Check your rights.
Strengthening NATO’s eastern flank following drone incursions & operation eastern sentry
Following multiple incursions into NATO airspace by Russian drones, NATO reacts. We cover the news in the EU and NATO defense strategy and why is the focus on the eastern flank.
Press freedom under attack in Europe, with Italy among the countries most at risk: what the report says
The 2025 Liberties report denounces a widespread deterioration in press freedom in the EU, exacerbated by corporate takeovers, political pressure, and attacks on journalists. Italy is among the countries at risk, with a vulnerable public service and serious cases of interference.
Streamer tragedy sparks debate over platform oversight and authority response
The death of French streamer Raphaël Graven has shaken the public. Could it have been prevented?
Does the EU have the tools to regulate AI testing?
The Joint Research Centre warns that private AI benchmark tests are easy to manipulate, and their results can mislead regulators. Are benchmarks really reliable?
Smart Tachograph 2.0 – revolution or just another costly burden?
Will the new smart tachograph really make road transport safer and fairer, or is it just another expensive obligation for the industry?
10 months of protests: On the student movement and the future of Serbia with Milica Kostin
Today at PulseZ we talk to Milica Kostin, one of the organizers of ongoing protests in Serbia. Nearing the one-year anniversary of the collapse of canopy in Novi Sad which started the anti-government and anti-corruption protests, we discuss challenges ahead and small victories of the movement.
Cruise of contention: Greece’s ports in solidarity with Gaza
What began as a summer cruise turned into a floating flashpoint — Greek ports became arenas of protest, solidarity with Gaza, and clashes over the nation’s image.
What Italians and Europeans really want from the EU: a new survey explains
A European Union that is more united and more protective of its citizens, but also attentive to respect for democratic principles. This is the Europe European citizens would like.
From buzzword to blueprint: Youth power at the OSCE with Assel Murat
In this Vox Civica episode, Assel Murat explains how the OSCE tries to move beyond tokenism, making youth real actors in policy, peacebuilding, and decision-making.
Plastics everywhere: the EU’s big problem
The European Union has been trying for years to reduce the harmful impact of plastics, but data from 2022 shows that the path toward a truly sustainable system is still far from complete.
Heterotopias of digital nomadism
The cultural problem with digital nomads is that they don’t foster multicultural coexistence but instead replace the local with a post-liberal, productivity-driven international culture. The local community is left unable - or unneeded - to engage with it, reduced from an active subject to a functional backdrop.
A bridge that might be too far
Italy’s €13.5bn Messina Bridge is sold as a national triumph, but faces seismic risk, EU scrutiny, mafia fears, and mass expropriations. Critics say it exposes a deeper rift: spectacle versus public value in Italy’s future.
A microstate for the Bektashi? Tirana’s gamble
Edi Rama’s plan for a ‘Vatican of Islam’ in Tirana casts the Bektashi order as Albania’s soft-power brand of tolerance — but critics see a political spectacle.
Internships as Europe’s hidden weapon for competitiveness
Bringing internships and work placements into education and business strategies isn’t just about helping young people find jobs. It could also boost the competitiveness of entire industries across Europe. The question is: can the efforts of individuals and organizations spark real, lasting system change?
Estonia’s fish industry finds a second life for waste
An Estonian project backed by the EU is proving that what used to be considered “just waste” can actually become a valuable resource for medicine, fashion, and even high-tech materials.
Taking your pet on holiday? Here’s what you’ll need
Travelling across Europe with a dog, cat, or even a ferret may sound simple — just hop in the car or catch a flight.
A cloud revolution in the UK? Microsoft and AWS under antitrust scrutiny
For years, American tech giants have dominated the cloud market. But now, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is asking a bold question with huge implications for Europe’s digital future: are Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS) harming competition and innovation?
Fico’s talks with Putin in China and Zelensky in Slovakia within the same week
Slovak Prime Minister went to China as the only EU member country’s leader, talked to Russian president Vladimir Putin and in the same week came back to Slovakia and met with Zelensky.
Quiz: the great European food-off
Are you a foodie? Is trying our different cuisines while traveling around Europe your favourite pastime? Show off your knowledge by taking our quiz.
German data protection authority vs. Chinese AI – and Google in the middle
A clash between Berlin’s data protection authority and Google over the Chinese app DeepSeek shines a spotlight on the tension between Europe’s strict privacy standards and the global ambitions of tech giants.
The peculiarities of soil: interview with an expert on soil health and research
When we talk about the health of our planet, we usually think about forests or oceans, which are naturally massive ecosystems, crucial for the livelihood and survival of the planet. However, what often gets overlooked is soil and its health.
Digital gates to adulthood: how Europe checks your online age
New rules to protect children online reveal not only Europe’s growing ambition in digital safety but also the deep differences between countries when it comes to age checks. Where does protection end – and surveillance begin?
“Green” promises on credit: Shein and Europe’s test in fighting greenwashing
The global fast fashion giant Shein has landed in hot water with regulators in Italy and France, accused of misleading consumers about its supposed eco-friendly commitments.
Will drone education be Lithuania’s new favorite school subject?
What was your favorite subject in high school? Did you have any original subjects that you’re sure are not taught anywhere else? In Lithuania, children will learn how to operate drones as a part of civil resistance training.
AI gigafactories: Europe’s race for digital sovereignty or just a Silicon Valley mirage?
The European Union has announced multibillion-euro investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, betting on AI gigafactories to counter the dominance of the United States.
A Union without barriers: accessibility in practice
Accessibility is not a courtesy – it is a condition of equality. A new EU law is about to transform the lives of millions of people with disabilities.
“Na Bisteras”: Europe remembers the Roma Holocaust – but is memory enough?
Can the EU’s Roma Equality Strategy live up to the challenges posed by the legacy of the Holocaust, which Europe once again commemorated on August 2?
Rural roads to a sustainable future: tackling mobility challenges beyond cities
How the SMARTA-NET project offers practical solutions for greener and fairer rural transport in the EU.
More than the music: 5 European festivals with political roots
Festival season 2025 had plenty of political flashpoints that spilled into wider media discourse. It's a timely reminder that they've have always been paces of protest and resistance.
An inclusive Europe: making accessibility a reality
A fairer Union starts with access – not as a courtesy, but as a right. A new EU law aims to reshape daily life for millions.
Green skills and the future of work: are public institutions ready for the green transition?
A new toolkit to support public employment services has arrived — but can our systems catch up with the climate challenge?
The EU’s bold anti-poverty strategy: real change or just an ambition?
Can poverty in Europe be reduced by 15 million people by 2030?
EU response to mass layoffs: support or just a band-aid?
When major companies close their doors and thousands lose their jobs, how should the European Union respond?
Sounds of control: will the latest music merger harm competition and creativity?
Could a music industry merger shake up the market and put independent artists at risk? The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation that could shape the future of how music is made and shared in the EU.
European Health Insurance Card: a safety net or just a symbol?
What young Europeans should know before relying on their EHIC abroad?
Can AI save the European welfare model? How artificial intelligence could help solve the demographic crisis
Europe is aging fast — and the workforce is shrinking. But what if the solution to this looming crisis isn’t just more people, but smarter ways of working?
Treviso goes green with Minecraft: kids design the city of the future
Blending gaming, education, and urban planning, the Italian city of Treviso is turning into a living lab for sustainability — and it’s powered by kids.
What can you bring across borders in the EU? Alcohol, food, and cash limits explained
You’re packing for your next European adventure — maybe a weekend trip to Paris, a music festival in Budapest, or just heading home after studying abroad.
Measuring circular progress: how the EU turns sustainability ambitions into real results
Circular economy in the EU: when ambitions meet reality.
Opportunity or necessity? Rethinking mobility in the face of EU labour shortages
24 European countries have too many workers in certain sectors, while 29 face serious shortages.
Big gaps in the EU’s tech transformation: where is it worst?
Although the EU keeps boosting its innovation potential, regional disparities and the risk of stagnation are becoming more serious challenges.
Meta vs. Europe: AI code of conduct puts tech giants to the test
EU's ethical AI ambitions collide with big tech's power politics, putting the bloc's global leadership claims on shaky ground.
“It all starts in preschool”
Early childhood education as a key to migrant integration in the EU.
Europe steps up in global fight against human trafficking
Human trafficking—one of the gravest human rights violations—remains a serious challenge for the European Union. According to the latest study from the European Migration Network (EMN), EU member states and observers are increasingly focusing on its international dimension.
Safety vs. compromise? The EU sets new workplace chemical exposure limits
The European Commission has unveiled a proposal to revise the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD), introducing updated exposure limits for toxic substances in the workplace.
Musical routes of Europe: from folk to festivals
In this episode, Patrycja Gosk from the EURACTIV Poland editorial team takes you on a journey along Europe’s musical pathways.
Apple vs. the EU: who really controls the App Store?
Europe’s new digital rules are shaking up Big Tech. Apple is playing defense – and the outcome could reshape how we use our phones.
EU energy efficiency: big ambitions, harsh realities
The European Union has long championed energy efficiency as a pillar of its green transition.
A question of consent: Meta, ads, and the EU’s fight for digital rights
Meta is under fire from the EU. The heart of the debate? The true value of our consent — and who gets to define it.
Bologna slows down to speed up: how a 30 km/h city is redefining urban living
In January 2023, the Italian city of Bologna introduced a bold new rule: a citywide 30 km/h speed limit on most of its streets. But this wasn’t just about traffic — it marked the beginning of a much bigger urban transformation.
Moving abroad without the paperwork nightmare: what you need to know
Dreaming of starting a new life in another country?
DeepSeek: is China’s AI chatbot a threat to European privacy?
A Chinese AI app is causing a stir in Germany — and it’s not because of its performance.
Billions for real impact — not just for show
Ten years after the last major meeting on the issue, global leaders have come together once again — this time in Seville — to rethink how we fund development in a world facing deepening inequality and rising geopolitical tensions.
Amazon vs. European Parliament: is a corporate giant dodging democratic debate?
Amazon is once again in hot water with the European Parliament — this time for refusing to show up.
Power to the people: how the EU is making the green transition a citizen-led mission
The EC's new initiative puts citizens, local communities, and small organisations at the heart of the energy transition. With a human-first approach, the Citizen Energy Advisory Hub (CEAH) aims to turn sustainable energy from a political promise into a grassroots movement.
Europe, science, & AI: building a future that’s smart and ethical
Seville becomes a turning point in shaping the EU's vision for how artificial intelligence should transform science — without losing sight of values, people, and trust.
PulseZ Youth Festival – win a trip to Brussels!
Young people across Europe are invited to take part in the PulseZ Youth Festival, a dynamic opportunity to have their voices heard, contribute to digital democracy, and join a thriving community of content creators and aspiring media professionals. Submissions are now open—do not miss your chance!
A revolution in the opera house: how a small Austrian city made opera accessible to all
In a world where accessibility technologies are increasingly visible in public life, opera has remained one of the most traditional and exclusive forms of culture — rarely touched by inclusive innovation.
The noise we don’t hear
Why sound pollution is one of Europe’s biggest — and most overlooked — health threats.
More than just rooftops: five facts about solar power
When you think of solar energy, you probably picture panels on the roofs of family homes.
Your smartphone, your planet: the EU’s game-changing rules for greener tech
Big changes are coming to the world of smartphones and tablets — and they're all about making your devices last longer, use less energy, and be easier to repair.
Reporting from the World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 in Amsterdam
The 68th exhibition of the contest with a long tradition looks back at the most impactful photojournalism and documentary photography of the year. It shows the previous year for what it was. As you walk through the exhibition, you see conflict, politics in motion, migration crisis and climate crisis - from all over the world.
What is the European Media Freedom Act?
The European Media Freedom Act, in force since August 8, 2025, is the EU’s first binding regulation to protect media independence and pluralism. It guarantees access to independent content, safeguards journalistic sources, increases ownership transparency, restricts surveillance, and strengthens the EU’s ability to act against media concentration.
The asylum amendment and institutional regression in Greece
The Greek asylum amendment of July 2025 suspends protection rights for arrivals from Libya, igniting strong institutional and legal backlash.
The Game of Thrones at Mount Sinai: confiscations, courtrooms, and clerical chaos
The world’s oldest active Christian monastery faces simultaneous legal expropriation and internal revolt. A May 2025 Egyptian court ruling reclassified the Monastery’s property as state-owned, sparking diplomatic tensions with Greece. Meanwhile, a faction of monks attempted to oust Archbishop Damianos, exposing a deep rift within the cloistered community.
Fix it, don’t ditch it: how the EU’s new labels could change the way you buy tech
A new EU label is turning smartphones and tablets into smarter choices—not just for you, but for the planet too.
Across generations, beyond time: how the EU is designing a fairer future
What if laws didn’t just serve today’s citizens, but also the generations yet to be born? That’s the bold question the European Commission is asking as it takes a groundbreaking step toward long-term, intergenerational justice—with young people playing a key role in shaping it.
Beauty under pressure: what’s really inside your skin fillers?
An EU investigation uncovers hidden risks behind the aesthetic craze.
The Netherlands is pedaling into the future
With cycling to work up by 57% in just one year, the Dutch are proving that two wheels might just be the smartest way forward.
Digital wake-up call for Europe: transform or fall behind
As we reach the halfway mark to 2030, the European Union finds itself at a turning point in its digital journey.
No deal on plastic waste and the future looks dirtier
Plastic pollution UN discussion without a result while microplastics are getting into every crevice of the environment (and our bodies).
Quantum time: how JRC Ispra is plugging Europe into the future of ultra-secure communication
What if time itself could help us build a safer, smarter, and more sovereign Europe?
