European Regional Development Fund
Europe Day, held on 9 May every year, celebrates peace and unity in Europe.
The date marks the anniversary of the historical 'Schuman declaration'. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable. His vision was to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production. A treaty creating such a body was signed just under a year later. Schuman's proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.
Local offices of the European Commission and the European Parliament in the EU organise a variety of activities and events for all ages.