European Parliament - EPRS Podcasts, What Europe does for you

Home-made alcohol is a much cherished tradition in many parts of Europe. Beers, wines or spirits produced in small quantities come with a local flavour and preserve precious artisanal traditions, providing consumers with an alternative to industrial production.

If you are just starting out in your working life, taxes can seem a bit scary, but they are the price of a modern and fair society. Learning about the basic principles of a modern tax system can prove very useful. Taxes pay for healthcare, education, infrastructure like roads and bridges, and much more. To achieve a more equal and inclusive society in the EU, all citizens need to make a fair contribution. It is important, therefore, to understand why we pay taxes and know how to pay them.

As a citizen of the European Union, you have the right not only to live, work, study and do business anywhere in the EU, but also to buy property. Two-thirds of Europeans own their own home; some of them are still paying back a loan or mortgage, while others own their home entirely. Those who have finished paying their mortgage spend less on housing, so it is quite understandable to want to buy your own home, not only to live in but also as a means of saving money.

Do you love shopping for clothes? Even if you are a dedicated follower of fashion, you may not be aware of the impact that EU laws have on the fashion items you buy. The textile and clothing sector plays an important role in European manufacturing, and EU laws ensure the quality standards of products sold on the European market. means that something labelled as pure silk is not a cheap copy, and puts rules place on footwear manufacture, helping to protect your interests as a consumer and making sure the goods you buy aren't fakes.

EU development policy seeks to foster the sustainable development of developing countries, with the primary aim of eradicating poverty. Providing over 50 % of all global development aid, the EU and its member countries are collectively the world's leading donor. For example, provided by the EU and its members totalled €75.5 billion in 2016.

How would you feel about being forced into donating an organ, such as a kidney or lung, your liver, heart, or pancreas? Did you know that every day somewhere in the world, a person is lured into the illicit organ trade? The World Health Organization estimates that about 10 000 organs are sold on the black market each year, some of which come from trafficked persons.

Despite progress on gender equality, mothers are generally still the primary carers in the family. If they have young children, they are more likely to be unemployed than women without children, while the opposite is true for men. The EU is committed to gender equality and aims to narrow this gap. It also aims to improve leave provisions for both parents, so that they are better able to combine work and private life.

When fathers take leave to look after their children, the whole family benefits. Research shows there is a link between the amount of days' leave fathers take and their satisfaction with their relationship with their child. Increasing fathers' uptake of child-related leave is also considered beneficial for children's development and gender equality. Fathers' involvement in childcare also affects women's decisions to have children. Despite this, fathers took only 2 % of the leave available to either parent in the EU in 2010. The EU wants to change that and give men more opportunities to get involved in caring for their families.

Do you enjoy travelling by plane, visiting new destinations, friends and family, even for short periods? Whether you like city trips in Europe or going to the other side of the globe, travelling by air has become much more affordable and accessible over the last 25 years, largely owing to EU action in the field of civil aviation.

As a cook or a 'foodie', you value products that are delicious, authentic and safe. Europeans enjoy a wide choice of top quality products, ranging from Greek olive oil, Spanish ham and Belgian chocolate, to Swedish herring. Thanks to the freedom of trading within the internal market, all of these products can be sold anywhere in the EU. You can be sure that the food is safe to eat because of EU food safety rules, strict limits for pesticide residues and mandatory information about allergens.