This week, home affairs ministers discuss Schengen, migration and the future of Europol and approve conclusions on the new EU drugs strategy; the Commission holds a workshop on revision of the governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action; MEPs in committee vote on online child sexual abuse; a public hearing will discuss a European citizens’ initiative for a ban on so-called ‘conversion practices’; and we have International Women’s Day. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 2 – 7 March 2026.
Monday 2 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Committee and political group meetings
Brussels
Online child sexual abuse: the Civil Liberties Committee will vote on extending a derogation to EU online privacy rules, that allows companies to detect child sexual abuse material on a voluntary basis. The current derogation expires on 2 April 2026. EU co-legislators are currently negotiating a permanent legal framework to prevent and combat child sexual abuse online.
European citizens’ initiative for a ban on conversion practices: a European citizens’ initiative (ECI) proposing an EU ban on so-called “conversion practices” targeting LGBTQ+ citizens will be discussed by MEPs and experts in a public hearing. Women’s Rights Committee chair Gálvez, Equality Commissioner Lahbib and representatives of the ECI will join the discussion.
Plenary preparations: political groups will prepare for the 9-12 March plenary session, where MEPs will debate and vote on EU-US political relations, on their proposals to tackle Europe’s housing crisis, on common EU defence projects, on economic policy coordination and on the EU’s enlargement strategy. They will also vote on new package travel rules, the need for enhanced cooperation with Canada, and on protecting copyrighted creative work in the age of AI. They will also debate the Commission’s citizens’ energy package as well as the need for clean, independent and secure energy. MEPs will mark International Women’s Day, hold a formal sitting with the Prime Minister of Armenia, and outline their expectations for the 19-20 March EU summit.
Monday 2 – Friday 6 March
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Environment | Fisheries
European Ocean Days
Brussels
The European Ocean Days is a week-long event with a series of dynamic and interconnected sessions focused on key ocean-related themes, all designed to encourage participants to engage across topics and contribute to a shared vision for the prosperity, competitiveness, security and sustainability of our ocean.
Monday 2 March
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Education | Internet
Cyber Defenders: teaching children to stay safe in online games
Online only
Cyber Defenders was created to help children aged 9 to 12 develop the skills they need to recognise risks, make safer choices online, and build healthy digital habits – especially in gaming environments. This webinar is designed for teachers and educators across Europe who want practical, classroom-ready tools to teach online safety in a way that is engaging, relevant and effective.
Tuesday 3 – Wednesday 4 March
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Social policy | Employment
European Employment and Social Rights Forum 2026
Brussels and online
This Forum will address the EU’s response to the challenges many people face today, including the rising cost of living, job insecurity, and changes in the labour market.
Opinion leaders, policymakers, businesses, academics and civil society will come together to explore bold ideas to support Europe’s greatest strength: its people.
Tuesday 3 March
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | European citizenship
European Citizens’ Initiative Day 2026
Brussels and online
The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Day has the title ‘People, Democracy, Resilience – Our Future!’ ECI Day brings together organisers, civil society and EU institutions to discuss, network and exchange ideas and good practices around the ECI.
Tuesday 3 March
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Energy policy
Workshop on the revision of the governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action
Online only
The European Commission’s Directorates-General for Energy and for Climate Action are hosting a stakeholder workshop on the revision of the Regulation 2018/1999 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action.
Wednesday 4 March
Other bodies and agencies | Info days | Research | Funding | Migration
Horizon Europe info days – Cluster 3
Brussels
This information-day event will highlight research topics covered within the 2026 calls for proposals in Horizon Europe Cluster 3 “civil security for society” that offer funding opportunities to research institutions, universities, industries, SMEs, civil society organizations and relevant security practitioners and stakeholders.
The event will cover key areas such as disaster-resilient societies, fight against crime and terrorism, border management, cybersecurity, and infrastructure protection. Participants will also benefit from practical information on how to apply, as well as opportunities to network and build consortia for future project proposals.
Thursday 5 – Friday 6 March
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Migration | Europol | Drugs
Justice and Home Affairs Council
Brussels
Home Affairs ministers will discuss among others Schengen, migration, the future of Europol and approve conclusions on the new EU drugs strategy.
Justice ministers are expected to reach a general approach on the Regulation on protection of adults and discuss fight against Russian impunity and fundamental rights.
Thursday 5 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Committee and political group meetings
Brussels
International Women’s Day: to mark International Women’s Day 2026, the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee is organising an event bringing together MEPs and national parliamentarians to discuss “women’s rights and democracy: combating stereotypes, disinformation and violence in the digital age”. The conference will be opened by a video message from Parliament President Roberta Metsola followed by remarks by, among others, committee chair Lina Gálvez, Cyprus’ Justice and Public Order Minister Costas Fitiris (TBC) and EU Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib.
2027 EU budget: the Budgets Committee will adopt its input for Parliament’s priorities on the 2027 EU budget. Once endorsed by Parliament at a future plenary session, these guidelines will be used by MEPs as the basis for their discussions with the Council and the Commission. The Commission is expected to present its position in June.
Thursday 5 March
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Social rights | Climate change policy | Climate change
Helping vulnerable people in the clean transition: the role of the Social Climate Fund
Brussels
This high-level conference is on the Social Climate Fund (SCF), the EU’s new fund to support people and businesses most impacted by the new emissions trading system covering transport and buildings (ETS2).
This event marks the start of the rollout of the Social Climate Fund and provides a platform for policy makers, stakeholders and experts to exchange how the SCF can deliver tangible results for those most affected. It will also enable the sharing of best practices on the Social Climate Plans.
Thursday 5 March
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Climate change policy | Environmental policy | Public administration
Community of Practice Webinar: Negative Emission Strategies
Online only
Any city aiming for climate neutrality or net zero knows the big secret: even with the best reduction plans, some emissions just won’t budge by 2030. These residual emissions are the “last mile” of the climate journey, and they’re often the trickiest.
Learn how cities can tackle residual emissions with carbon removal, sinks, and credits. This webinar offers guidance, frameworks, and financial insights to manage the final steps toward climate neutrality and net-zero targets.
Friday 6 March
Other bodies and agencies | Public debates | Agricultural market
Implementation dialogue on Unfair Trading Practices
Brussels
The Implementation Dialogue hosted by Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, will take place with selected key practitioners (farmers, producer organisations, processors, retailers and other food system stakeholders as well as enforcement authorities) to exchange views on Directive (EU) 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain (UTP Directive) and its implementation.
