With the entry into force of the legislation governing the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) on April 1st this year, European citizens will be able to start making use of this first transnational tool of direct democracy. The Green European Foundation continues its work on the topic, currently preparaing a pocket guide on how to use this instrument.

Without doubt, unemployment is one of the major issues facing Europe today. How do we ensure quality jobs for all, and how do we provide them within the physical limits of our planet? This study, commissioned by the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament and published by GEF for the Greens/EFA Group as part of its Green New Deal series, looks at the issue of working time, and asks whether a change to working time could offer a solution to...

GEF organised a series of discussions in the run up to the publication of the EU Energy Roadmap 2050, which was published in December 2011. The discussion focused on how the EU could transition to 100% renewables by 2050, and what role the Commission's roadmap would play in this process. The events around Europe were organised with support of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung and numerous foundations around Europe.

As 2011 draws to a close, we look back at some of the highlights of our year at GEF. Along with publishing a record number of reports, we also published our first book, on the populist-right in Europe. Below, we highlight these and the other projects from 2011. New exciting projects await in 2012, so stay with us!

GEF has published a report for the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, which examines the role that GDP plays in shaping EU regional policy. Commissioned by the Greens/EFA Group and authored by experts from the Université libre de Bruxelles, the publication is available in both French and English, and can be downloaded or ordered free from GEF.