A new “growth and jobs strategy” for the EU

The President of the European Commission wishes to re-equip Europe with the means of achieving its economic growth and employment targets. Accordingly, on 2 February 2005, José Manuel Barroso presented a new strategy for the EU to create more growth and jobs, thus revitalising the Lisbon Agenda. The actions proposed by the European Commission could boost GDP by 3% by 2010 and create over 6 million jobs.
The starting point of the Commission’s proposals is recognition of the fact that – five years after its launch – the Lisbon Strategy is not on track to deliver the expected results. Faced with this situation, the Commission has set out a concrete programme clearly identifying the measures that the EU and its Member States should implement in the coming period. The key areas for action are the following:

• Making Europe a more attractive place to invest and work in. This mainly involves completing the Single Market. More specifically, the Commission refers to the need to achieve “balanced agreements” on, e.g., services and chemical products (REACH), the establishment of a Community patent and corporate tax.
• “Knowledge and innovation for growth”: this means, in the first place, really and truly allocating 3% of GDP to research and development expenditure.
• “Creating more and better jobs”: The Commission has announced the launch of a European Youth initiative to reduce youth unemployment, and it also intends to modernise social protection systems and increase the flexibility of labour markets. Furthermore, the Commission believes that reforming the EU Structural Funds would make it possible to invest more in human capital.

“Europe must do better,” stated Mr Barroso. “What we are proposing today is to release Europe’s tremendous economic potential. This is needed to maintain the European model of society we value so much.” But the Commission also stresses that “ambition has a cost” and warns that the Union will only be able to deliver on its investment and social cohesion objectives if the Member States are prepared to grant the EU a budget that reflects its key economic and social priorities. Mr Barroso’s proposals received a mixed response from the European Parliament: while a majority of MEPs believe the proposed policies meet today’s principal concern, i.e. employment, others regard them as a “re-balancing act” of the Lisbon strategy for the benefit of competitiveness and to the detriment of the social dimension and the environment. Concerns were also expressed over the “re-nationalisation” of the Lisbon process and the jettisoning of the targets for 2010. For further information, visit the website devoted to the Lisbon Strategy: http://europa.eu.int/growthandjobs/index_en.htm.

 

News from the institutions

“Golden Stars of Town Twinning” awarded to 27 towns

Within the framework of the Consultation Forum on the “future action programme to promote active European Citizenship” (held in Brussels on 3-4 February 2005), the Commissioner responsible for Education and Culture, Jan Figel, awarded “Golden Stars of Town Twinning” to ten projects involving 27 towns. The “Golden Stars” are in fact awarded every year to ten outstanding town-twinning initiatives supported by the European Union with the aim of promoting integration. In the category of “conferences and seminars”, three projects received the award: 1) Dordrecht (Netherlands) for organising a conference during which the town presented its revised policy on disabilities. Hastings (United Kingdom), Recklinghausen (Germany) and Varna (Bulgaria) were invited for an exchange of experiences; 2) Orimattila (Finland) for organising – in partnership with Orimattila’s twin towns in Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Poland and Sweden – a conference to discuss the issues that affect today’s young people; 3) Specchia (Italy) for organising a conference on three key topics (alternative energy, environmental protection and bio-agriculture) in cooperation with Busko Zdrój (Poland), Haukipudas (Finland), Stenheim (Germany) and Szigetszentmiklós (Hungary). In the category of “citizens’ meetings”, the following 24 towns received an award: Basingstoke (United Kingdom) and its twin town, Alençon (France); Alhama de Granada (Spain) and Bagnères-de-Bigorre (France); Moldovita (Romania) and Kruibeke (Belgium); Wuppertal (Germany) and Košice (Slovakia); Braunfels (Germany) and Bagnols sur Cèze (France), Carcaixent (Spain), Eeklo (Belgium), Feltre (Italy), Kiskunfélegyháza (Hungary), Newbury (United Kingdom) and Korond (Romania); Šiauliai (Lithuania) and Czestochowa (Poland), Etten Leur (Netherlands), Fredericia (Denmark) and Jelgava (Latvia); Montgeron (France) and Povoa de Varzim (Portugal) and Eschborn (Germany). For more information, read Press Release IP/05/133 available on RAPID.

“Spring Day in Europe 2005”

The European Commission is inviting all teachers and students in the enlarged Union and beyond to take part in the project “Spring Day in Europe 2005”, which will be launched on 17 March next. This campaign, organised in cooperation with the European Schools’ Network (which was set up by the ministries of education of the EU’s 25 Member States plus Norway), aims to encourage schools to organise a European day of debate and “knowledge exchange” between pupils and local, regional, national and international personalities in order to learn about EU developments, integrate this theme into the curriculum and discuss Europe’s future. Four kinds of actions are planned: 1) creating a website (available in all official languages) to disseminate information on the project in addition to providing a range of assistance services and tools for anyone working in a school environment; 2) organising, in schools, meetings and discussions with experts who will provide information on the functioning of the European Union and the European Constitution; 3) organising decision-making role plays for students who wish to find out more about the EU; and 4) setting up structures enabling students to contact local authorities to obtain information on the EU. Some 2,665 schools in different parts of the world have already joined the project. For further information, visit: http://futurum2005.eun.org.

“Services Directive”: an open debate

Faced with the numerous criticisms and concerns raised by the proposed “Services Directive”, the European Commission has deemed it appropriate to state that it does not intend to withdraw its proposal. “The liberalisation of services is an essential element of the Lisbon strategy. The Commission wishes to liberalise services. It is out of the question to withdraw the proposal,” said the Commission’s Spokesperson on 4 February last. The draft directive aimed at deregulating services in the European internal market is being rejected, either wholly or in part, by many stakeholders, including European trade unions, local and regional governments, the social economy sector, as well as health professionals and arts and culture workers. These disagreements were expressed at the public hearing that was held at the European Parliament on 10-11 November 2004, and discussions on the Services Directive have been continuing ever since. The Parliamentary Commission for the Internal Market and Consumer Protection has decided to form a working group from its own members to address the various issues raised. The next meetings of this working group will be public and are scheduled to take place on 28 February, 17 March, 7 April and 20 April 2005. For her part, Belgian Socialist Anne van Lancker, acting as rapporteur on behalf of the Commission for Employment and Social Affairs, presented a first set of proposals aimed at excluding a number of economic activities (e.g. services of general public interest) from the directive’s scope of implementation as well as at introducing major changes in the provisions concerning the establishment of service providers and the temporary provision of services. To find out more about the activities of the parliamentary commissions, visit: http://www.europarl.eu.int/committees/home_en.htm.

Earth and Space Week

On 9 February, the Commissioner responsible for Science and Research, Janez Potoĉnik, inaugurated the “Earth & Space Sphere” housed on Rond Point Schuman. Inside the sphere is a 20-metre in diameter internal projection screen that presents breathtaking images of our home planet and beyond. This will be illuminated during the hours of darkness until 20 February 2005. World leaders, policymakers, European astronauts and experts will be gathering for an “Earth and Space Week” organised by the European Commission in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). European Commission Vice-President Verheugen, responsible for the European Space Programme, and Commissioner Potočnik will also participate in this international week, which will take place in Brussels from 12 to 20 February. “Earth & Space Week” encompasses three major events: The Third Earth Observation Summit; plus a major conference on international cooperation in Space and a large free Exhibition on Earth and Space aimed at increasing public awareness. It is hoped that these events will shape future Earth observation capabilities and applications and increase cooperation in Space, especially vis-à-vis the developing world. For further information:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/space/esw/index_en.htm.

 

News from the networks

European Movement launches “YES!” international campaign for the ratification of the European Constitution

Founded over half a century ago, the European Movement is an international organisation whose 41 national councils and 21 associate member organisations work towards bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises, trade unions and individual lobbyists in order to “contribute to the establishment of a united, federal Europe founded on the respect for basic human rights, peace principles, democratic principles of liberty and solidarity and citizens’ participation”. With the support of several national federations and Members of the European Parliament, the European Movement has recently kicked off its “YES!” international campaign for the ratification of the European Constitution in the EU’s 25 Member States. In order to maximise the impact of the “YES!” campaign, the European Movement, presided over by José Maria Gil Robles, wishes to cooperate with civil society as fully as possible. The Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) and the European Students’ Forum (AEGEE) have already pledged their support. The “YES!” campaign will include educational activities, conferences, public events and lobbying actions. The organisers will work closely with the press to enhance the campaign’s visibility. The “YES!” website http://www.yes-campaign.net will report on initiatives on the ground in the coming period, in addition to providing information on the Constitution and offering European citizens an opportunity to express their views on the subject.

 

Funding opportunities

Combat discrimination: funding opportunities foreseen in 2005

The Community Action Programme to combat discrimination foresees three funding opportunities in 2005 (a pre-publication notice on these anticipated calls for proposals is now available). The calls will cover ad hoc funding for a representative Roma network, support for awareness-raising activities (restricted to the public authorities of member states) and subsidies to support presidential conferences (Luxembourg and the UK). The pre-publication notice is published at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/callspt/calls_en.htm.

AENEAS Programme

In the framework of the AENEAS programme (2004-2008), which provides specific and complementary financial and technical assistance to third countries in support of their efforts to ensure more effective management of all aspects of migration flows, a call for proposals has been launched under the 2004 budget (30 million euros). The geographical and thematic priorities of this call are complementary to those of a second call, which will be launched in the first semester 2005 under the 2005 budget. Reference: EuropeAid/120785/C/G/Multi. More information at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/eidhr/cfp_en.htm#macro.

Cooperation and informal education

The European Commission wishes to support innovative cooperation, training and information projects in the area of informal education. The priority themes of the Call are as follows:
1) Cultural diversity and tolerance;
2) Less favoured regions;
3) Eastern Europe – Caucasus – South East Europe;
4) Innovation in youth work;
5) Cooperation between local or regional authorities and youth non-governmental organisations.
Budget available: € 2,000,000 (subject to approval of the budgetary authority for the 2005 financial year). It is expected that this Call will result in support being provided for about 10-15 high-quality projects. Closing date: 31 March 2005. For more information, visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/youth/call/index_en.html.

E-government

The European Commission has announced new funding for projects under the 2005 eTen scheme, which covers many of the e-government activities relevant to local authorities. The purpose of eTen is to support the deployment of e-services, in particular public services, with a European dimension. Proposals must cover one of the following areas: e-government; e-health; e-inclusion; e-learning; trust and security; services supporting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Total budget available: 45.3 million euros. Deadline for submissions: 10 May 2005. The Commission has also announced an information day to be held in Brussels on 2 March 2005. For more information: http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/eten/calls/cfp20051/index_en.htm. Contact: eTEN Help Desk, European Commission, DG Information Society and Media, Office BU31 2/74, B-1049 Brussels, e-mail: infso-eten@cec.eu.int. Call eTen 2005/1, OJ C 35 of 10 February 2005.

Promoting science

The European Commission has published a call for the organisation of events to promote science and raise public awareness of its social benefits under the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Development. Project proposals are invited under three categories: Science weeks in 2006 promoting the EU dimension;
'Best of' science events in 2006; and Science and society from 2007 onwards. Deadline 24 May 2005. More information online at: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cfm?CALL_ID=199. Call FP6-2005-Science-and-society-13, OJ C 34 of 9 February 2005.

 

Forthcoming events

3 March 2005, Brussels (B)

On 3 March 2005 in Brussels, the European Commission’s Regional Policy DG is holding a conference chaired by Commissioner Danuta Hübner on the subject: "Cohesion and the Lisbon agenda : the role of the regions”. This initiative is linked to the review of the Lisbon Strategy, which was the subject of a Commission Communication at the beginning of February and which will be the subject of European Council conclusions on 22 and 23 March. In November 2004, the mid-term report from the High Level Group charged with reviewing the strategy (Wim Kok Report) concluded that results remained disappointing and stressed the need for Community financial incentives to encourage competitiveness, growth and employment, as well as improved ownership of the Lisbon objectives by all the parties involved. Danuta Hübner believes that many regions have already taken ownership of these objectives, a fact reflected in the programmes co-financed by the Structural Funds. About 500 participants are invited to attend the conference (mainly presidents of the regions), which will consider what means can be employed to further strengthen this contribution during the 2007-2013 period. The Wim Kok Report is available at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/lisbon_strategy/index_en.html.

8 March 2005, Brittany (F)

The French National Contact Point, the local Euro Info Centre (CRCI) and the Chamber of Commerce for Brittany are organising in March an information meeting on the LIFE-Environment programme. This meeting (to be held in French) is targeted at representatives from industry, local authorities and associations interested in finding out more about the practical working of the LIFE-Environment programme. Participants are welcome from the wide variety of fields covered by LIFE-Environment - including the development of clean technologies, water and waste management, land-use planning and development and integrated product policy: addressing the environmental dimension of products throughout their life-cycle. This event will provide an opportunity for participants to meet representatives of the programme, to gain advice on applying and implementing projects, and to talk to some project beneficiaries. In view of the call for project proposals for 2006, due to be published in mid 2005, several events of this type with be organised by the Euro Info Centres in various French regions. For more information, contact: Magali Seznec, before 28 February 2005 at: eic@bretagne.cci.fr. T: +33 2 99 25 41 57; Fax: +33 2 99 25 41 10; EIC Bretagne/CRCI, 1 rue du Général Guillaudot – CS14422, 35044 Rennes cedex.

19-20 May 2005, Wroclaw (PL)

The European Summit of Cities and Regions will be hosted by the Committee of the Regions in Wroclaw, Poland. The summit, which will focus on the theme of decentralisation in Europe, will provide an opportunity for regional presidents and mayors of cities to highlight the benefits of decentralisation in a Europe based on democracy, competitiveness and cohesion. For more information, visit: http://www.cor.eu.int.

 

Publications

Two recent studies on cohesion policy reform

A study coordinated by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in Dublin provides an initial indication of the likely macroeconomic impact of the Structural Funds between 2007 and 2013 in the framework of the Commission’s proposed reform. The Institute looked at the 10 new Member States and two candidate countries (BG, RO) as well as three of the original “cohesion countries” (GR, ES, PT) and two Objective 1 macro-regions (the former East Germany and the Italian Mezzogiorno). Generally speaking, the study expects cohesion policy to have a substantial positive effect, given the relatively low level of infrastructure in the principal beneficiary countries and regions.
Moreover, John Bachtler and Fiona Wishlade of the European Policies Research Centre (EPRC) at Glasgow’s Strathclyde University have published a working document on the European cohesion policy debate, entitled "Searching for Consensus - The Debate on Reforming EU Cohesion Policy” and dealing with the possible allocation of the Funds to the various Member States. ESRI study: http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/sources/docgener/studies/pdf/3cr/macro_impact.pdf EPRC study: http://www.eprc.strath.ac.uk/eprc/publications_downloads.htm

“SOLVIT”

SOLVIT, which has been operational since July 2002, is an on-line problem-solving network in which EU Member States work together pragmatically to solve problems which arise from the misapplication of Internal Market law by public authorities. There is a SOLVIT Centre in every European Union Member State (as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). SOLVIT Centres can help with handling complaints from both citizens and businesses. SOLVIT Centres are part of the national administration and are committed to providing real solutions to real problems within a short deadline of ten weeks. SOLVIT works free of charge. While the network is operated by the Member States, the European Commission provides the facilities and, when needed, offers assistance to speed up the resolution of problems. It also passes some of the formal complaints it receives on to SOLVIT when there is a good chance that the problem can be resolved without legal action. A brochure with further information on SOLVIT is available in all Community languages on: http://europa.eu.int/solvit/site/docs/brochure/brochure_en.pdf (on line only in English). To order the brochure in printed format in the language of your choice, contact: solvit@cec.eu.int.

The Rhineland at your fingertips

The Rhineland now has a website, which is available in three languages (English, French and German) and whose aim is to “give you a taste for discovering…one of the most varied and eventful regions of the world”. The site provides many useful addresses and a wide range of ideas for excursions in all parts of the Rhineland (from Heidelberg to Zurich). Visitors to the website are asked to select a date (from the next 15 days), then an activity (classified by theme: castles, exhibitions, trade fairs, cuisine, amusement parks, etc.) and finally their preferred option. Visit: http://www.regio-express.com.

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Responsible at Law: William Van Dingenen - Editor in Chief: Isabelle Mirambet - Editors: Monique Braem, Stephen Gardner, Wendy Jones, Eirini Nikolaïdou.