Third Progress Report on Cohesion

On 17 May 2005, the European Commissioner responsible for regional policy, Danuta Hübner, presented the “Third Progress Report on Cohesion”, which describes the state of the regions in the enlarged European Union in terms of levels of income, employment and productivity. The report reviews the situation and major trends in the regions since the publication of the Third Cohesion Report in February 2004.

Disparities in GDP per head between the 25 Member States are considerable. In 2003, levels of GDP per head ranged from 41% of the EU average in Latvia to 215% in Luxembourg. In all new Member States, GDP per head is below 90% of the EU25 average, while it is less than half of this level in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as in Romania and Bulgaria . In 2002, over one-quarter of the EU’s population in 64 regions had a GDP per head below 75% of the average. In the new Member States this applied to 90% of the total population, the exceptions being the regions of Prague, Bratislava, Budapest, Cyprus and Slovenia.

In 2003, employment rates in Member States generally fell well short of the 70% target set by the Lisbon Strategy for 2010 (as well as the 67% target for 2005), averaging 62.9% for the EU25. In only four Member States – Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK – the rate reached 70%. The report indicates that some 22 million additional jobs are needed to meet the 70% target. In the new Member States, employment would have to increase by one quarter (or 7 million new job s) to reach 70% .

Differences in productivity between Member States are even more marked: productivity is less than 30% of the EU25 average in Poland and the three Baltic states, but over 150% in Luxembourg and Ireland . This appears to reflect a process of restructuring, with productivity increasing overall but nevertheless no employment growth in the short run . Looking ahead to the post-2006 period, the observed differences confirm the need for an ambitious cohesion policy. U nder the proposed reform, the cohesion and rural development policies will not only provide a financial incentive for introducing changes but will also “raise policy impetus at the local level” .

The report also provides information on the ways that Member States and regions have used the opportunity of the mid-term review of the Structural Funds to make adjustments to their development programmes. For more information, visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/debate/forum_en.htm

 

News from the institutions

What future for financial services in Europe?

 Freedom to provide services anywhere in the EU also means freedom to provide financial services. The European Commission believes that further integration of the financial services market is essential to promote economic growth and employment in Europe. This is why on 3 May the Commission presented a new Green Paper on the financial services policy up to 2010. The Green Paper looks at the results of the “Financial Services Action Plan” implemented over the past six years and proposes a number of new initiatives. More specifically, the document considers ways of improving cross-border access to asset management and retail financial services. If you are interested in the future of financial services in Europe, you can take part in the public consultation launched by the European Commission by sending your comments to the following e-mail address by 1 August 2005: markt-consult-financialservi ces@cec.eu.int. To find out more about the Action Plan, visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/finances/actionplan/index_en.htm.

Towards a Marco Polo II programme

On 21 April 2005, the EU Council of Transport Ministers adopted a general framework for the proposed second Marco Polo programme and agreed on the kinds of actions that will be implemented, including traffic avoidance actions, modal shift actions, catalyst actions, common learning actions and “motorways of the sea” actions. However, the Council did not agree on quantitative targets for shifting road freight to other modes of transport. The ministers believe that specific targets can only be met if adequate financial resources are allocated to the programme. The overall budgetary envelope as proposed by the Commission is €740 million for the whole period ( 2007- 2013). The amounts actually allocated to Marco Polo II will depend on the budget agreed for that period. The current Marco Polo programme will come to a close by the end of 2006, with the last call for proposals being published in the autumn of 2006. For more information, see the Council press release on: http://ue.eu.int/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/trans/847 69.pdf or visit the EUROPA website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/marcopolo/2/index_en.htm

Swedish producer receives “New talent in the European Union” award

On the occasion of Europe Day 2005, organised on the fringes of the Cannes Film Festival on 16 May last, Peter Börjesson, a 28-year-old Swedish producer, received the “New talent in the European Union” Prize from Viviane Reding, Commissioner for the Information Society and the Media. The prize was awarded for Börjesson’s “The Symbiosis Project” and takes the form of an entry for the prize-winner in the international Cannes Film Market. As part of this, Börjesson will benefit from the services of a coach to find partners who will help him complete his film project. Furthermore, the MEDIA programme will contribute €40,000 in financial support to Peter Börjesson’s production company. “The Symbiosis Project”, which tells the story of a young voyeur who moves into a woman’s apartment when she is away, thus discovering the complex life she leads, was chosen by a jury of professional film writers from a shortlist of 11 outstanding projects. As a reminder, the “New talent in the European Union” Prize, created in 2004, is for the best script written by a European author under 35 years of age who has received training funded by the MEDIA programme. For further information, see Press Release IP/05/562 on RAPID.

Continuing slowdown in European workers’ pay increases

EIRO, the European Industrial Relations Observatory, reveals in its annual update on collectively agreed pay increases that European workers’ wages increased less in 2004 than in previous years. This review of trends in pay in 2003 and 2004 finds that average collectively agreed nominal wage increases across the EU 25 fell from 4.2% in 2003 to 4.0% in 2004 (though with major variations between countries), continuing a steady downward trend. Taking into account inflation, the annual report shows the rate of real increase fell more sharply, from 1.8% in 2003 to 1.0% in 2004. In the EU 15, the average agreed nominal wage increase remained unchanged in 2004 at 3.1%, while in the 10 new Member States, it fell from 5.9% in 2003 to 5.4% in last year. This update from the EIRO, based on contributions from its national centres, aims to provide a broad, general indication of trends in pay increases over 2003 and 2004 across the EU Member States, two candidate countries (Bulgaria and Romania) and Norway. This review also looks at collectively agreed pay increases in selected sectors (chemicals, retail and the civil service), increases in average earnings and minimum wages (plus minimum wage rates), and the gender pay gap. For further information: http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/comparativestudies.html

 

News from the networks

International network to promote renewable energy sources

One year on from the “Renewables 2004” international conference held in Bonn (DE) in June 2004, the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) will be launched in Copenhagen on 2-3 June 2005. REN21, which is intended as a follow-up to that conference, will provide “a forum for international leadership on renewable energy”, connecting the wide variety of dedicated stakeholders that came together at the Bonn conference in order to help them create an environment in which ideas and information are shared and cooperation and action are encouraged to promote renewable energy worldwide. The goal is to allow the rapid expansion of renewable energies in developing and industrial countries alike. To find out more about REN21, visit: http://www.ren21.net, http://www.renew ables2004.de

 

Funding opportunities

Trans-European energy networks

The Commission has published a call for proposals aimed at implementing projects of common interest in the field of trans-European energy networks. As a rule, proposed actions must be for a substantial amount, with the Community financial aid not being less than €500,000 per selected action. In addition, the duration of the action should not exceed three years. The closing date for submission of proposals is 20 June 2005. For further information, contact: European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, DM 28, 0/91, Mail/archives, B-1049 Brussels, E-mail: sandra.gerdts@cec.eu.int, Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/en ergy_tr ansport/home/calls/proposal_en.htm. OJ L176 of 26 June 2003.

Reinforcing and developing transport policies

The Commission has launched a call for proposals to support operations reinforcing and developing its policies in the field of transport, particularly in the context set in the White Paper “European transport policy for 2010: Time to decide”. The proposals should cover one or more of the following: “operations of information and communication, operations of research and dissemination of best practices, and operations of coordination and harmonisation of standards and procedures”. Closing date for submission of proposals: 30 June. The total indicative budget for the year 2005 is €10,355,000. For more information, contact: European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, DM 28 0/91 Mail/archives, B-1049 Brussels, Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/home/calls/proposal_en.htm. Call for proposals DG TREN/SUB/02-2005

Conferences on energy and transport policy

The European Commission foresees the possibility of awarding fixed-amount grants (with a total indicative budget of €250,000) for the organisation of conferences to promote the objectives of the common energy and transport policy and, in particular, the policy priorities set in the work programme for 2005. The closing date for submission of applications for a grant is 30 June. For more information, contact: European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, DM 28 0/91 Mail/archives, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium, Website: http://europa.eu.int/ comm/dgs/energy_transport/home/calls/proposal_en.htm. Call for proposals DG TREN/SUB/01-2005-2005.

E-learning

The European Commission has issued its annual call for information and communications technology (ICT) projects in the following areas of education and training: promoting digital literacy ; European virtual campuses ; transversal actions. Deadline: 4 July 2005. Further information and guidelines are available on the website of the Education DG of the European Commission: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/elearning/call_2305_en.html. Call DG EAC/23/05, OJ C 126 of 25 May 2005.

 Fighting marine pollution

The European Commission has issued a call for proposals in the field of Community cooperation against accident or deliberate marine pollution. For 2005 priority will be given to projects in the following areas: responding to cases of pollution by heavy oil at sea; protection, retrieval, cleaning and rehabilitation of sea animals affected by accidental or deliberate pollution, including the role played by the authorities, non-governmental organisations and volunteers; responding to pollution by hazardous or noxious chemical substances, including their effect on public health and the marine environment;  analysing the short, medium and long term environmental impact of oil and chemical spills; oil pollution monitoring and detection at European level. Deadline: 31 July 2005. For more information: European Commission, F: +32 2 299 0314, email: ENV-A5@cec.eu.int, website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/funding/intro_en.htm. OJ C126, 25 May 2005.

Community cooperation in civil protection

The Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment has launched a call for proposals in the area of Community cooperation in civil protection. The fields concerned, and the nature and content of the actions (as well as the conditions for granting assistance) are set out in the documentation relating to the call for proposals. This documentation, including the relevant application forms, can be downloaded from the EUROPA website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/funding/intro_en.htm Deadline for submission of applications: 31 July. Call for proposals OJ C 125 of 24/05/2005.

 

Coming events

31 May-3 June 2005, Brussels (BE)

The 2005 edition of the Green Week, which will take place in Brussels, has the slogan « Get to grips with climate change ». Over the past century the average temperature has risen by more than 0.6° Celsius globally and by almost 1°C in Europe. An overwhelming majority of the world's climate experts believe most of the warming is caused by human activities which emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Because of that, Green Week 2005 will look at all aspects of climate change and in particular at the human factor. In addition to a programme of conferences Green Week also has an exhibition with stands featuring best practices, projects and partnerships. The Environment DG is also intending to make Green Week « climate neutral », by offsetting the CO2 emissions generated in organising the event, and will bring stakeholders and experts together to provide the Commission with the knowledge and views to help us further develop effective climate change policies. For more information: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/greenweek

22-24 June 2005, Trier (DE)

The Academy of European Law (ERA) is offering a summer course, in the German city of Trier, on “EU Constitutional Law”. This three-day course, which will be held in English, will provide a thorough overview of the constitutional and institutional law of the European Union. Following a presentation of the constitutional foundations of the EU, participants will focus on the tasks of the various EU institutions and their roles in the EU decision-making process. Registration fee: €300. For additional information, contact Richard Crowe, Tel. +49 651 93 73 731, Fax: +49 651 93 73 790, E-mail: rcrowe@era.int, site web: http://www .era.int

 

Publications

New Practical Guide to the European Labyrinth

The European Information Service (EIS) has just published its “New Practical Guide to the European Labyrinth”, which aims to provide “a clear view of the European institutions, with examples and diagrams”. The Practical Guide, of which over 100,000 copies have already been sold, is published in 20 languages and can be ordered on line at: http://www.eis.be. Price: €30. For more information, contact: Europe Information Service s.a., Avenue Adolphe Lacomblé 66, B-1030 Brussels, Tel. +32 2 737 77 00, Fax: +32 2 732 67 57, E-mail: marketin g@eis.be.

An energy efficiency toolkit for SMEs

«EMAS Energy Efficiency Toolkit for Small and Medium sized Enterprises» is a toolkit aimed at helping SMEs to improve their energy consumption with minimum investment by following a simple checklist, based on the experience of implementing the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). This 70 pages publication is available in English at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/emas/index_en.htm. For further information: European Commission, Office: BU-9 4/155, B-1049 Brussels, T: +32 2 296 07 69, e-mail: Patrick.Hamon@cec.eu.int

LGIB website has a new look

The LGIB(Local Government International Bureau) has redesigned and relaunched its website, making it even easier for British local and regional authorities to find the information they need. The new website makes it clearer to find out what’s happening in the EU and internationally and how this affects the work of UK local government, details how local authorities around the world have tackled problems common to the UK and offers the latest twinning and project partnership request from around the world. Local authorities can also sign up for e-mail alerts about the latest EU funding opportunities and policy developments, find out about the latest LGIB events and book even their place online. A service of European an international job opportunities is offered to the website users. Discover the new website at: www.lgib.gov.ok

 

Partnerships

EUROMED Heritage III project in Morocco

The CME (“Centre Méditerranéen de l’Environnement” – Mediterranean Environmental Centre), which is responsible for the implementation of the REHABIMED European programme (funded by the EU under the EUROMED Heritage III programme), is looking for technical and financial partners to carry out its current project, which includes development education initiatives for young people in the Euro-Mediterranean area and the provision of assistance for disadvantaged communities in Marrakech (Morocco), a prestigious city where nevertheless poverty is widespread. More specifically, the project aims to promote the involvement of the population in the rehabilitation of living spaces and the environment. The planned actions are based on four principles: making the most of traditional techniques and of local heritage and identity; social justice; economic effectiveness; and promoting environmental conservation. The CME is also planning to hold two “heritage workshops” with the participation of students from the seven REHABIMED member countries as well as of actors engaged in urban social development. The CME organises numerous international volunteer programmes, both short-term and long-term, for young students. Such programmes include local sustainable development projects, international multidisciplinary groups of volunteers conducting feasibility studies for projects on the ground, international volunteer camps and specific capacity building programmes to empower civil society in the Euro-Mediterranean area. For further information, contact: Jean-Baptiste Lanaspeze, Tel. +33 4 90 27 0861, Fax: +33 4 90 86 8219, E-mail: international@cme- cpie.org.

 

Announcements

Researcher for EU project

The European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) is looking to recruit a researcher for the CONSENT research Network of Excellence, funded by the European Union. Led by the University of Cologne, CONSENT is a four year project which addresses effects of the enlargement of the EU. The EIPA is coordinating work on institutions and political actors and will lead a team looking specifically at enlarged institutions and interaction with national governments. This full time research post will be based in Maastricht in the Netherlands. Applicants must have an in depth knowledge of the EU, be a graduate to at least Masters level (preferably undertaking a PhD) and have two years’ professional experience of coordination in European research projects. Applications (in English or French), can be sent before 6 June to: Paul Geurten, Personnel Department, EIPA, PO Box 1229, NL 6201 BE Maastricht, Netherlands. Email: p.geurten@eipa-nl.com, EIPA website:http://www.eipa.nl

 

 

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Responsible at Law: William Van Dingenen - Editor in Chief: Isabelle Mirambet - Editors: Monique Braem, Eirini Nikolaïdou, Verónica Catediano, Maylis Campbell.