In this thought leadership interview, Jan-Willem Scheijgrond, Vice President and Global Head of Government and Public Affairs at Philips, shares his vision for the future of European healthcare. He explains why health should be seen as an investment rather than a cost, and how digitization and AI can help create more equitable, resilient systems amid workforce shortages and an aging population. The discussion explores:

- The role of the European Health Data Space in unlocking innovation and competitiveness.
- Why cardiovascular health could redefine care delivery and prevention strategies.
- How regulatory reform and better funding coordination are critical to Europe’s ambition to lead in medtech and pharma.

Watch the full interview to learn how Europe can turn ambition into action and secure the health of its citizens for decades to come.

In this interview, Noémie Papp, Senior Expert for Conduct, Payments & Consumers at the European Banking Authority (EBA), explains why online fraud and scams have become more sophisticated and harder to detect. She highlights the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and crypto assets in enabling new forms of deception, and the severe financial and emotional consequences for victims.

The discussion explores the EBA’s latest consumer protection campaign, which focuses on financial education and practical steps to prevent fraud. Papp outlines common warning signs, from urgent requests and overpromising offers to untraceable payment methods, and shares advice on what to do if you fall victim. She also touches on broader regulatory efforts, including strong customer authentication and upcoming requirements to further reduce payment fraud. Watch the full interview for insights into how Europe is tackling this growing challenge.

In this Euractiv Thought Leadership interview, Laura Galli, Vice President at 3M, explains the company’s approach to improving workplace health and safety across sectors such as consumer goods, industrial and transportation. She highlights how innovation and sustainability are shaping the future of personal protective equipment, including the use of recycled materials.

The discussion also explores the importance of ethics and compliance in corporate culture, the challenges of applying EU health and safety legislation across all businesses, and the need for greater support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Galli emphasises how collaboration with policymakers and stakeholders drives progress and ensures safer workplaces. Watch the full interview for more.

The European Union is facing growing risks linked to health emergencies, geopolitical tensions, and climate-related disasters. In response, the European Commission launched the EU Stockpiling Strategy and the Medical Countermeasures Strategy in July, as part of its wider Preparedness Union Strategy. The initiative aims to secure essential goods such as food, water, oil, fuel, and medicines during crises.

This new approach brings together existing stockpiling efforts across different sectors, improves access to critical resources, and combines EU-level reserves with national contributions. While it covers a broad range of essential goods, health-related supplies such as personal protective equipment, medicines and vaccines are a key component. Public-private partnerships will help make the system more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective in responding to crises across all sectors, including public health.

Created after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) plays a key role in improving the EU’s readiness for future health crises. Its work focuses on the procurement and stockpiling of medical countermeasures (MCMs), including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medicines and vaccines. Through tools like the Joint Procurement Agreement, which allows the EU and participating countries to buy medical countermeasures together, HERA helps ensure coordinated access to essential supplies across Member States.

However, challenges remain. These include limitations in national capacities, the need for robust EU-level coordination and funding (for example via HERA and the Multiannual Financial Framework), and the need to apply lessons learned from COVID-19. These lessons include improving supply chain resilience, ensuring stockpile rotation, quality and product compliance, and strengthening governance.

Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to explore the EU Stockpiling Strategy and its role in strengthening Europe’s health resilience. Key questions to be discussed include:

- How does EU legislation and funding mechanisms support health emergency preparedness? What role does the MFF proposal play?
- How does local production relate to Europe's competitiveness? What can EU do to strengthen European manufacturing?
- How can the EU ensure all Member States have access to high-quality, effective PPE?
- How is the EU currently managing stockpiles and logistics, and is there a need for innovation?
- How effective is the Joint Procurement Agreement in ensuring access to medical supplies across the EU?
- What are the main challenges facing the EU in health emergency response, and how can they be addressed?

How is Blue Education reshaping learning by connecting students to their maritime environment, their communities, and the wider blue economy? Bernardo Mata, from the Directorate General for Maritime Policy, where he is a part of the team responsible for the implementation of the Blue School programme in Portugal, and Remco Schaap, a teacher of history and Blue School coordinator in Den Helder, Netherlands join Euractiv’s Xhoi Zajmi to explore how simple, hands-on projects can turn ocean literacy into everyday practice.

In a year defined by deepfakes, AI-generated influence campaigns, and an increasingly polarised information space, understanding how trust can be protected online has never been more urgent. Viktoras Daukšas, head of Debunk.org, joins Euractiv’s Xhoi Zajmi to explore what stood out this year, how AI is reshaping both misinformation and its detection, and what tools and skills media professionals – and citizens – will need to stay resilient in the years ahead.

How we can build careers for a sustainable ocean? From ports and shipyards to corporate boardrooms and coastal classrooms, blue skills and ocean literacy are becoming essential for the future of the blue economy. Sustainability consultant Els Duffhues and Secretary General of the European Boating Industry Philip Easthill discuss with Euractiv's Xhoi Zajmi how Europe can shape the next generation of ocean-literate professionals.

In this interview, international lawyer Robert Amsterdam shares his perspective on what he describes as a “rule of law crisis” within Spain’s tax system. He argues that current practices undermine judicial independence, violate EU legal standards, and have far-reaching consequences for citizens, businesses, and the credibility of the Union’s legal order.

The discussion covers:

• Allegations of systemic issues in Spain’s tax enforcement and appeals process
• The impact on fundamental rights and access to justice
• Broader implications for EU governance and rule of law
• What actions Brussels could consider in response

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this interview are solely those of the interviewee and do not reflect the position of Euractiv's Advocacy Lab.