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Climate change poses an existential threat to individuals and communities across the world. Populations with existing socio-economic vulnerabilities are the most affected, with people already experiencing climate-related losses and damages. Extreme weather events and other adverse impacts of climate change lead to forced displacement of populations to, from and within cities. Hence, building and supporting social cohesion in displacement contexts will be a key activity for development cooperation actors.
This research study therefore explores these questions: How do the elements of social cohesion, trust, inclusive identity and cooperation for the common good, evolve within communities and across institutions in Accra’s informal settlements? Additionally, what role do climate resilience efforts play in fostering or hampering vertical and horizontal social cohesion in Accra’s informal settlements?Our findings suggest that limited institutional resilience efforts contribute to weak vertical cohesion between neighbourhoods and city authorities, undermining collective responses to climate challenges. The research emphasizes the need for a more integrated approach, whereby community-led initiatives and state interventions work together to strengthen resilience and social cohesion in Accra’s informal settlements.

Climate change poses an existential threat to individuals and communities across the world. Populations with existing socio-economic vulnerabilities are the most affected, with people already experiencing climate-related losses and damages. Extreme weather events and other adverse impacts of climate change lead to forced displacement of populations to, from and within cities. Hence, building and supporting social cohesion in displacement contexts will be a key activity for development cooperation actors.
This research study therefore explores these questions: How do the elements of social cohesion, trust, inclusive identity and cooperation for the common good, evolve within communities and across institutions in Accra’s informal settlements? Additionally, what role do climate resilience efforts play in fostering or hampering vertical and horizontal social cohesion in Accra’s informal settlements?Our findings suggest that limited institutional resilience efforts contribute to weak vertical cohesion between neighbourhoods and city authorities, undermining collective responses to climate challenges. The research emphasizes the need for a more integrated approach, whereby community-led initiatives and state interventions work together to strengthen resilience and social cohesion in Accra’s informal settlements.

Plenary session and committee meetings

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

South African teenager Khosi Dlomo wants to encourage others to take up her little-known equestrian sport of tent pegging.

Ein weiterer Sonntag in Europa, eine weitere Wahl – beziehungsweise drei.

The diplomatic war between France and Algeria accelerated again on 11 May, with the announcement by Algiers of the "immediate" [...]

Under Trump 2.0, the United States withdrew from Just Energy Transition Partnerships such as the one with South Africa, resulting in significant financial setbacks that led to the cancellation of energy transition projects, compromised emissions reduction goals, and deepened dependence on coal power.

Under Trump 2.0, the United States withdrew from Just Energy Transition Partnerships such as the one with South Africa, resulting in significant financial setbacks that led to the cancellation of energy transition projects, compromised emissions reduction goals, and deepened dependence on coal power.

Under Trump 2.0, the United States withdrew from Just Energy Transition Partnerships such as the one with South Africa, resulting in significant financial setbacks that led to the cancellation of energy transition projects, compromised emissions reduction goals, and deepened dependence on coal power.

During his visit to the Western Balkans, European Council President António Costa met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. At the joint press conference, he reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to Albania’s accession, praised the country’s reform progress, and commended its role in hosting the upcoming European Political Community summit. He also welcomed the opening of a College of Europe campus in Tirana, highlighting Albania's deepening ties with the EU.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council will take place on 16 May 2025 at 14.30.  Press briefing ahead of the Foreign Affairs (Defence) Council will take place on 19 May 2025 at 16.30.

During his visit to the Western Balkans, European Council President António Costa met with the President of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje. At the joint press conference, he reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the country's EU accession path and commended North Macedonia on its progress on the reform agenda. He also stressed that these efforts must continue and that the EU is ready to support North Macedonia in this process.

Remarks by President Antonio Costa after his meeting in Pristina with President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

During his visit to the Western Balkans, European Council President António Costa met with the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović in Podgorica. At the joint press conference, he highlighted that enlargement is crucial for the stability and prosperity of the region, praising Montenegro's progress towards EU membership. He also stressed the importance of continuing reforms and maintaining good neighborly relations.

During a visit to the Western Balkans, European Council President António Costa met with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. At the joint press conference, he reaffirmed the EU’s full commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession process, while addressing concerns about the persisting challenges in the country, in particular the need to accelerate progress on the necessary reforms, and the recent developments in Republika Srpska.

A Tanács jóváhagyta a Hollandia, Portugália, Spanyolország és Szlovákia által benyújtott módosított helyreállítási és rezilienciaépítési tervek Bizottság általi kedvező értékelését.

A Tanács általános megközelítést alakított ki az importált termékek távértékesítésére vonatkozó héaszabályokról és a behozatal utáni héáról szóló irányelvvel kapcsolatban.

In the context of a visit to the Western Balkan region, European Council President António Costa met in Belgrade with the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić. During the joint press conference, he reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to Serbia’s accession, emphasising that now there is a momentum that must be seized through swift reforms. He stressed that accession is a merit-based process, highlighting the need for full alignment with EU foreign policy, including support for Ukraine and strong condemnation of Russia's war of aggression.

Main agenda items, approximate timing and press opportunities.