07/01/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 7 January, the European Commission announced that more than 40,000 18-year-olds will be able to take a free train journey across Europe following their selection in the latest DiscoverEU awards. A discount card for cultural activities, accommodation, local transport, restaurants and other services will accompany the ‘travel pass’. In order to contribute to the ‘Cultural Compass for Europe’ (see EUROPE 13750/6), the ‘DiscoverEU Cultural Routes’, a selection of European destinations, will also be promoted. This session, organised to mark the 40th anniversary of the Schengen area, was open to people born between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2007, who are nationals of EU Member States and Erasmus+ associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey) and attracted 246,782 applications. Call results by country: https://aeur.eu/f/k6m ; more information: https://aeur.eu/f/k6n (NP)