The 2023 European Year of Skills will give new momentum to lifelong learning, empowering people and companies to contribute to the green and digital transitions, supporting innovation and competitiveness. On Saturday 6 May we are opening our physical and virtual doors and demonstrating unity and solidarity with all Europeans.
In Brussels, you can visit the European Commission’s headquarters – the Berlaymont building – from 10.00 to 18.00 on 6 May to find out more about what we do*. Last entrance at 17.30. No registration needed. Access is free.
Explore our villages and find out why Europe is green, fair, skilled, safe and strong, as well as what we are doing to show that #EUStandsWithUkraine. There will be plenty of games and activities for the whole family, with some prizes to be won. Take a peek at the top floor meeting room where President von der Leyen and the Commissioners make decisions that affect us all, admire the view over the city, visit the cinema room and much more.
Can’t make it in person? Then join in from wherever you are! Check out our live online events and map with what’s going on right across the EU to find something happening near you.
Even after Europe Day, if you come to Brussels don’t forget to visit our permanent exhibition Experience Europe, which provides a unique point of view on our work, priorities, policies and our EU values in an interactive environment.
*Please note that we will be photographing and making video recordings at this event. The photos and video recordings may be used for communication activities in relation to the EU Open Day. If you prefer not to be photographed or videoed, please request a lanyard at the stand at the entrance of the Commission building. For more information please see the privacy statement.
- Berlaymont (Skilled Europe)
Virtual Reality (VR) is becoming increasingly popular in different domains (private gaming, industrial training, academic research). The VR-Mine was designed for master students but is also suitable for bachelor- level students and children.
- Berlaymont (Strong Europe)
Discover EU co-funded projects in Brussels!
What does the EU do and what does it do for you?
On 6 May #EuropeDay, join us for a 2-hours tour!
A professional guide will take you around Brussels to discover EU-funded projects that make this city vibrate!
- Berlaymont (Skilled Europe)
Languages matter. No one can master all 24 official EU languages, so translation and interpretation allow people to understand how the EU’s work matters to them. Our interactive presentations will be interpreted into French, Dutch, German, English, and more. Try interpreting yourself, with the help of an expert!
- Berlaymont (Skilled Europe)
Experience the Future of our Food with FoodUnfolded's Virtual Reality 360° Videos
- Berlaymont (Skilled Europe)
Have you ever dreamt of becoming a scientist? Discover how researchers funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions explore the boundaries between solids, liquids and gases and create your own slime with a mind-blowing hands-on experiment.
- Berlaymont (Skilled Europe)
Join the policymakers of the EU for a life-changing experience.
- Berlaymont (Green Europe)
The EU Ecolabel now certifies over 87,000 products and services. At the showroom you can discover a selection of them and find out more about the label's mission towards a circular economy and zero pollution.
- Berlaymont (#EUStandsWithUkraine)
Get inspired by European solidarity to Ukrainians fleeing the war. The presentation will inform you about a number of youth volunteering projects in many European countries that are giving a helping hand to Ukrainians in times of war.
- Berlaymont (Skilled Europe)
A great day of activity and fun for all. Discover how to build on your strengths and enhance your talents with Erasmus+. Come and meet us to explore Erasmus+ opportunities for everyone. A valuable experience enriching lives, opening minds.
- Berlaymont (Safe Europe)
Any of us can become a victim of crime. This challenge aims to ensure victims are not invisible. Participants will sit and look into each other’s eyes without blinking. Their faces will be projected on a screen announcing a pledge to keep their eyes open to see and help victims of crime.
- Berlaymont (Skilled Europe)
Drop by the EAC stand at the Skills Village in the Berlaymont building on 6 May to learn about EU digital education initiatives! Test your knowledge on disinformation, let AI guess what you are drawing and join our workshops on digital skills!
- Berlaymont (Green Europe)
Step into the unknown and discover what our world would look like without pollinating insects through this award-winning virtual reality experience.
- Berlaymont (Safe Europe)
Visit our EU Customs stand at the Europe Day and meet Blondie – a Belgian customs dog who will showcase her sniffer dog skills during live demonstrations.
11:00-12:00
Test your knowledge of the euro with our quiz!
Do you know how many countries use the euro? Or can you recognise what country issued what coin?
Visit the ECFIN Twitter account (@ECFIN) on 6 May at 11:00 CEST and take part in our quiz.
10.00-10:15
An OLAF investigator explains how the European Anti-Fraud Office, together with national partners, uncovered a large number of serious crimes committed by an organised gang, which illegally obtained nearly €1 million of EU agricultural funds meant for tomato production.
Did you know the EU’s values are human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights? Are you familiar with the EU’s history? Find out all of this and more in all EU languages.
Europe believes in democracy and promotes it in every field of work. We honour our European values and preserve them with great care. We stand for peace, equality and fairness.
Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to the planet. To overcome these enormous challenges, the European Green Deal has set out to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy.
- Farm to fork: Our food, our health, our planet, our future
- What The Food, VICE: discover EU local sustainable initiatives
- CINEA at the EU Open Doors 2023 event in Brussels
- EISMEA at the EU Open Day 2023
- The European Climate Pact
- The new common agricultural policy: 2023-27
- Pollinator Park virtual reality experience
- EU Ecolabel on Wheels exhibition
- Recipes and tips for sustainable fish and seafood consumption
- REA at the EU Open Day 2023
- Keeping the EU mission close to the citizens
2023 is the European Year of Skills. We need a strong focus on professional education, upskilling and attracting new labour, lifelong learning, empowering people and companies to contribute to the green and digital transitions. We support innovation and competitiveness.
Europe can count on a modern and performing defence industry, on ambitious external border controls, a migration policy with respect for human rights. We fight for gender equality and inclusiveness, against discrimination, and we protect people’s data.
- The search for the tomato fraudsters
- Want to know more about how EU Customs keeps us safe?
- EU Customs Union: facts and figures
- Keep your eyes open to support victims of crime. Read more
- Keep your personal data safe.
- Shaping a Safer Digital Future.
- #UnitedInProtection - Get vaccinated: make vaccines work
- #GetScreenedEU - Cancer screening campaign
Europe’s agenda strengthens its internal market and the Euro currency, ensuring the EU’s role as a global leader. The EU is an international actor in space policy and scientific discoveries. It is also committed to tackling fraud and allowing all to prosper.
The EU stands united in its unwavering support for Ukraine offering strong political, financial and humanitarian assistance. We provide assistance also at security and military level, civil protection, and transport.
European Commission Open Day on Saturday, 6 May (2)
RSSThe Commission’s Open Day at the Berlaymont building in Brussels, on the occasion of Europe Day, is a unique opportunity for citizens to discover how the work of the European institutions affect their life.
Visitors were able to step inside the Berlaymont and take part in special activities.