January 2014 by cor-publications

ISSN 1681-3235

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

Summit in Athens

“We contribute to sustainable regional and urban development in the EU”, interview with Werner Hoyer, president of the EIB Mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy

Nº 86 – JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014

European Recovery: Local Solutions

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

Editorial

9 Digital society challenges to be tackled in the near future

10 Espoo Innovation Garden – Locallycreated project ready for global outreach

Ioannis Sgouros: A strong Europe – a Europe of regions and cities Interview with Werner Hoyer, president of the European Investment Bank

18 Rapporteurs have their say

11 Resource efficient Europe flagship initiative

22 Brief News and Events

12 The challenges of the Youth on the Move flagship initiative

13 Industry is the lynchpin of Europe’s economic recovery

6 A Presidency of hope

14 The Agenda for New Skills and Jobs in the Regions

15 Help for socially disadvantaged and disabled people is a priority for the Bratislava Region

European Elections 2014 Former Committee members drive regional policy at the European Parliamen

16 Policy Analysis Europe 2020: Mid-term results, expectations and policy recommendations

Europe 2020 Strategy mid-term review Interview with Michel Delebarre, chairman of the CoR’s Europe 2020 Platform

Special Feature: Summit in Athens

www.cor.europa.eu Regions & Cities of Europe — N° 86 Director of Publication: Laurent Thieule Editor-in-Chief: Branislav Stanicek Committee of the Regions Communication, Press and Events Directorate Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99–101 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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Nº 86 – JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014

EDITORIAL

Summit in Athens is taking place at a historical moment for the future of Europe THHE 7 AND 8 MARCH 2014 REPRESENT ANOTHER HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS. THE 6TH EUROPEAN SUMMIT OF REGIONS AND CITIES WILL TAKE PLACE IN ATHENS AT A KEY POLITICAL JUNCTURE FOR THE FUTURE OF EUROPE. THE SUMMIT WILL BE HELD SOME WEEKS BEFORE THE NEW ELECTIONS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND O CONSEQUENTLY A NEW COLLEGE OF COMMISSIONERS WILL BE APPOINTED. FURTHERMORE, THE SUMMIT WILL BE ORGANISED CO ON THE EVE OF THE SPRING EUROPEAN COUNCIL, WHICH IS USUALLY DEVOTED TO THE EU’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS. O

Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso (ES/EPP), President of the Committee of the Regions

or that reason, the objectives of the summit are to take stock of the economic recovery of regions and cities and the progress of the European job creation strategy, and to debate the future of the Union. In particular, the aim of the first summit session is to contribute to the assessment of Europe’s strategy for growth and jobs from a local and regional perspective, including the specific concerns at political level in Greece. The second summit session, with the high-level debate about the future of Europe, will contribute to the EU discourse by addressing the subject of public opinion in Greece and in the rest of Europe. I welcome the fact that the Committee can count on the substantial support of the Greek Delegation and in particular the president of the Region of Attica. I am personally convinced that we have to explain why “more Europe” is the solution and why its supporters are best placed to offer solutions to the current difficult situation. Specific steps will be taken to guarantee the link with the on-going political and socio-economic debates in Greece and to give a broad, public visibility to the outcome of the summit. Once the ‘Athens Declaration’ is adopted, the Committee of the Regions will present its recommendations for reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy to the European Council President. This meeting will take place only a few days ahead of the Spring European Council of 20-21 March 2014. The debate with President Herman Van Rompuy will allow the CoR’s leadership to present the Athens Summit proposals and clarify in what ways the

Europe 2020 Strategy’s overall architecture can be revised in order for Europe’s sustainable, smart and inclusive growth strategy to better deliver results in Europe’s regions and cities.

more than a piece of paper: it represents a vision for the future bringing to Ukrainians a prospect of stability, peace, democracy, solidarity and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In particular, the Committee of the Regions would like to see the multi-level governance and ownership of the strategy strengthened. The thematic focus and financing of the Strategy will also be discussed. Finally, following a series of seven conferences held throughout 2013, the Committee will present its assessment of the added value of the Europe 2020 Flagships and a collection of best practices for meeting Europe 2020 targets at the regional and local level. Clearly, it is already a success that the Committee has managed to persuade the European Council President to put the revision of Europe 2020 strategy at the top of the European Council agenda.

For that reason, I headed a delegation of representatives of all the CoR political groups to carry out a fact-finding mission and to make contacts with Ukrainians who had been demonstrating since November to demand closer ties with the EU. We also met with the Ukrainian members of the Conference of the Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP) as well as representatives of Ukrainian regions and cities’ associations to express support to the Ukrainian local and regional authorities who wish to deepen partnership with their counterparts from the European Union.

Once EU leaders have provided strategic political direction as to how the Strategy will need to be revised, our Committee will further strengthen its cooperation with the European Commission in order to ensure its views are reflected in the Commission’s eventual proposals on the review. This cooperation will of course continue with the new European Commission, but also with the European Parliament and the Council after the May 2014 European Parliament elections.

As the critical events in Ukraine unfold, we need to keep open all channels from all levels of government for dialogue, including local and regional authorities, encouraging the central government to achieve its declared objective of European integration and reiterating that the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement is still possible. If the right conditions are in place, we continue to believe that the Agreement would provide the best possible foundation for a free, modern, prosperous and democratic Ukraine.

Last but not least, the Committee of the Regions has also proven that it is an institution close to those who believe in the European project. For many people in Ukraine, European integration is REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

INTERVIEW Werner Hoyer, president of the European Investment Bank

We contribute to sustainable regional and urban development in the EU WE MET WERNER HOYER, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK (EIB), TO TALK ABOUT THE CURRENT CHALLENGES AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THE EIB IS SUPPORTING ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN OUR CITIES AND REGIONS. PRESIDENT HOYER STRESSED THAT THE EIB, AS THE EUROPEAN UNION’S NON-PROFIT LONG-TERM LENDING INSTITUTION ESTABLISHED IN 1958 UNDER THE TREATY OF ROME, WAS A “POLICY-DRIVEN BANK” WHOSE SHAREHOLDERS WERE THE EU’S MEMBER STATES. AS A TRULY “EU BANK”, IT USES ITS FINANCING OPERATIONS TO BRING ABOUT “EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND SOCIAL COHESION”. IN 2013, AS A RESULT OF THE CAPITAL INJECTION BY MEMBER STATES, THE EIB STEPPED UP ITS LENDING ACTIVITIES BY AROUND 40% TO NEARLY EUR 70 BILLION IN SUPPORT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION IN EUROPE. “THE EIB – AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EUROPEAN CRISIS RESPONSE – WILL ALSO CONTINUE ON ITS COUNTER-CYCLICAL AND GROWTH-ENHANCING COURSE.”

What are the European Investment Bank’s priorities in supporting economic recovery and job creation?

its counter-cyclical and growth-enhancing course. This year we expect lending to once again reach almost EUR 70 billion.

Let me first highlight the fact that the European Investment Bank, which is really an EU Bank, made a deliberate U-turn in 2013 by moving from a pro-cyclical to a clearly counter-cyclical course in order to help overcome the crisis in Europe. This was made possible by our shareholders, the 28 EU Member States, which decided to substantially strengthen our capital base by paying in an extra EUR 10 billion – new capital that we used to boost our financing operations.

But we also have to start looking beyond the current crisis. On a personal note, I believe that investment in research, development and innovation remains the cornerstone for growth in Europe. Eu-

As a result of the capital injection, we stepped up our lending activities in 2013 by around 40% to nearly EUR 70 billion in support of economic growth and job creation in Europe. In particular, we secured access to long-term financing for small and medium-sized businesses. As an additional response to the crisis, we expanded our toolkit and rolled out some brand new, mostly guaranteeoriented products such as the first Trade Finance Facility in Greece and the Project Bond Initiative. After almost two years of recession, we are now seeing signs of recovery in Europe. But we should not be complacent. The consequences of the crisis are likely to continue to constrain economic growth for some time. Thus the EIB, as an integral part of the European crisis response, will continue on

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

In 2013, the EIB made a deliberate U-turn by moving from a procyclical to a clearly counter-cyclical course in order to help overcome the crisis in Europe.

rope’s future wealth will depend on how successful we are as innovators, which means how quickly we convert ideas into products and services. This is where we need to step up our efforts, and the EU Bank, with its long history of supporting R&D and innovation in Europe, is ready to do so. How is the EIB helping regions and cities to correct social and economic imbalances?

“Economic and Social Cohesion” is one of the EIB’s primary lending objectives. In recent years we have

increased our involvement and cooperation with the European Commission, giving particular emphasis to Cohesion Policy in the 2007-2013 programming period. By complementing EU grants through the provision of loans, structured finance, and financial and technical advisory services, we contribute to sustainable regional and urban development in the EU. A key instrument in support of EU Cohesion Policy is the Structural Programme Loan (SPL), which co-finances priority investments with EU Structural Funds in Member States and regions. In particular, we are helping those Member States subject to severe austerity measures, such as Greece, by providing enhanced technical assistance. This significantly improves the implementation of projects on the ground, making SPL an important instrument to counteract the crisis. Building on the Structural Programme Loan portfolio of over EUR 19 billion to date (in relation to the 2007-2013 programming period), we have approved 29 national and regional SPL operations in recent years. Let me emphasise here that this EUR 19 billion in lending has contributed to the implementation of investment programmes – supported by EU grants – with a total project cost of EUR 195 billion. The success and, indeed, the necessity of the Structural Programme Loans are further demonstrated by the high demand from the Member States in the 2014-2020 financing period.

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Werner Hoyer has been president of the European Investment Bank and chairman of its board of directors since January 2012. Prior to this appointment, Werner Hoyer was a member of the Bundestag for more than 20 years. From 2009 to 2011, he served at the German Foreign Office as Minister of State (deputy minister) responsible for political and security affairs, European affairs, United Nations and arms control and was also commissioner for Franco-German cooperation. Dr Hoyer had previously held the position of deputy foreign minister and Minister for EU affairs from 1994 to 1998. He is a longstanding member of Germany’s Free Democratic Party (FDP) and at various times has served as its deputy chairman and foreign affairs spokesman, security policy spokesman and whip. He has held the position of president of the European Liberal Democratic Reform Party (ELDR) in Brussels. Prior to his political career, Werner Hoyer occupied a number of academic posts. He was director of the economics and information department at the Carl Duisberg Society and associate lecturer and senior research assistant at the University of Cologne, where he obtained a doctorate in economics.

Furthermore, the Bank supports the Territorial and Urban Agenda by financing programmes and projects at regional and municipal level. We have approved over 300 operations representing some EUR 55 billion for 2007-2013. This has contributed to a total investment of EUR 175 billion. The capacity to finance both large and small investments, often complex multi-sector investment projects, on a long-term and competitive basis, allows us to apply an integrated and thus highly efficient approach to meeting the needs of the EU’s cities and regions. One of the key issues in many regions is youth unemployment. Are there any specific tools to tackle this issue?

In July 2013 we launched a dedicated youth employment scheme called “Skills and Jobs – Investing for Youth”. This scheme aims to complement the EU’s Youth Employment Initiative – notably its main instrument, the Youth Guarantee – as well as initiatives at Member State and regional level. The scheme has two pillars: the “Investment in Skills” component addresses job-related skills

gaps and mismatches and focuses on investment in training. The “Jobs for Youth” component is aimed at the recruitment of young people by SMEs by providing companies with better access to finance. I am very proud to tell you that the initial commitment of EUR 6 billion for 2013 was significantly exceeded. In just six months the EU Bank provid-

In just six months the EIB provided loans of almost EUR 9.1 billion to tackle youth unemployment. This is a major success.

vocational training as well as support for student loan schemes. Under the “Jobs for Youth” pillar, loans to SMEs and young entrepreneurs in regions where youth unemployment rates exceed 25% reached almost EUR 4.6 billion. We estimate that these loans contributed to the creation of about 50 000 jobs for young people. Given the success of our youth employment scheme, we are going to extend our financial support in this area. In 2014 we expect to make available at least another EUR 6 billion to fight youth unemployment because we just cannot afford, either economically or socially, to lose the younger generation.

ed almost EUR 9.1 billion in loans to tackle youth unemployment. This is a major success. EUR 4.5 billion was earmarked for financing under the “Investments in Skills” pillar; projects included infrastructure for secondary education and REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

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Summit in Athens

European Recovery: Local Solutions

SPRING EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND A FEW MONTHS AHEAD OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS, POLITICIANS, EXPERTS AND OPINION-LEADERS FROM ACROSS EUROPE MEET IN ATHENS FOR THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS’ 6TH EUROPEAN SUMMIT OF REGIONS AND CITIES. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS SIXTH EDITION IS TO TAKE STOCK OF EFFORTS MADE AT EUROPEAN, NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL LEVEL TO DELIVER JOB-RICH RECOVERY. THE SUMMIT WILL FOCUS ON HOW TO IMPROVE EU GOVERNANCE, OFFERING A TIMELY OPPORTUNITY FOR SUBSTANTIAL DIALOGUE AMONG ALL PARTNERS, AND WHAT DEFINES SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR. IT IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A HIGH-LEVEL DEBATE AMONG EUROPEAN POLITICAL LEADERS ON THE 2014 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS. N THE EVE OF THE

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SPECIAL FEATURE | Summit in Athens

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A strong Europe – a Europe of regions and cities It is now evident that the crisis facing us in Europe is not just an economic one. It is above all political and clearly institutional. Never before has public disenchantment and scepticism with regard to EU machinations been so intense. Europe must also reach a major decision to change policy direction, change, in other words, its way of thinking and acting, so as to rebuild people’s trust and confidence. Initial evidence of this will be provided by our strategic choices for Europe 2020. Do we want a Europe founded on social solidarity and employment or a Europe marked by austerity, poverty and social exclusion? The Greek delegation hopes that this summit will make a substantial contribution to deepening the dialogue, so as to provide a convincing response to the above issues.

Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso (ES/EPP), President of the CoR with Ioannis Sgouros (EL/PES), Governor of the Region of Attica

t is with a sense of real honour and great pleasure that my country and the region of Attica is hosting the 6th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Athens. This summit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Committee of the Regions and also with the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

At this especially critical time, we are invited to re-examine the role of the CoR and also of selfgovernment in economic growth, innovation and social welfare. The prolonged recession facing the Member States, unprecedented unemployment, poverty and social exclusion among ever broader swathes of society is a state of affairs that is generating new challenges for self-government.

The summit takes place as Greece’s newly-established elected regional authorities complete their first term. In the three and half years or so since the system came into operation, the 13 Greek regions have made a significant contribution towards regional development. For those of us still finding our feet, the summit presents a major opportunity to reinforce these new institutions and multilevel governance in Greece. The message for Europe’s future must be one of political stability, growth and employment for all.

A Presidency of hope Dimitris Kalogeropoulos (EL/EPP), Secretary-General, Decentralised Administration of Attica

he Greek presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2014 is not a crisis presidency. It is a presidency of hope and optimism, not just for Greece as it emerges from the deep crisis of the past few years, but for Europe as a whole, our larger shared homeland, which is taking firm steps to avoid the aftermath of the repeated shocks that have struck all the world’s major economies.

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

In its daily struggle to get on top of the crisis, Greece has found a steadfast and constant ally in the European Union. This has been not just in terms of the financial aid provided through the programmes that came on stream from 2010, but also of promoting EU resources and co-funded projects, whose launch and implementation made it possible for Greece to avoid getting stuck, while also continuing to be engaged with a changing Europe. A series of joint projects were launched in the country’s largest region, Attica, which is home to about half of Greece’s active population, and in the municipalities for which we are responsible. An example is the National Contingency Reserve operational programme, an integrated action plan to support entrepreneurship, businesses and their employees through advisory and training meas-

ures, as well as promoting employment in regions that are feeling the effects of the economic crisis. There is also the Human Resources Development operational programme, which provides comprehensive services to the homeless and people suffering from or at risk of poverty, with the aim of empowering vulnerable social groups through psychosocial support measures and underpinning the fight against poverty and social exclusion for a large proportion of the population affected by the economic crisis. Greece has pulled through. And that is our message to people in other European countries. Together we are getting to the other side, leaving this crisis behind us. And we have learnt the lessons of the events that led to this situation so that history does not repeat itself.

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Summit in Athens Europe 2020 strategy mid-term review

E HAVE ALMOST REACHED THE HALF-WAY POINT OF THE EUROPE 2020 STRATEGY FOR SMART, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH, WHICH WAS

EU’S MEMBER STATES IN JUNE 2010. ITS IMPLEMENTATION IS THE JOINT RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, HELPING TO ENSURE THE EU’S FUTURE, MAINTAIN EUROPE’S SOCIAL MODEL AND OUR SOCIAL MARKET ECONOMY. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS SCHEDULED A MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE STRATEGY FOR 2014. AS PART OF ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THIS REVIEW, THE COMMITTEE BUREAU DECIDED IN SEPTEMBER 2012 TO DRAW UP A ROADMAP FOR THE MID-TERM ASSESSMENT OF THE STRATEGY, CULMINATING IN THE PRESENTATION OF A REPORT AND POLITICAL DECLARATION AT THE ATHENS SUMMIT IN MARCH 2014. ENDORSED BY THE

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

SPECIAL FEATURE | Summit in Athens

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Progress made on Europe 2020 is below expectations Interview with Michel Delebarre, chairman of the CoR’s Europe 2020 Platform THE EVIDENCE GATHERED BY THE COR CONFIRMS THAT THE STRATEGY HAS SUCCEEDED IN ENCOURAGING MANY LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES TO SET MORE AMBITIOUS POLICY GOALS; HOWEVER, THE PROGRESS MADE ON EUROPE 2020 IS BELOW EXPECTATIONS. ALTHOUGH IT HAS PROVEN DIFFICULT TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT RATES AND OTHER GROWTH INDICATORS DURING WHAT HAS BEEN THE WORST CRISIS IN LIVING MEMORY, THE ASSESSMENT CARRIED OUT BY THE COR HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO RETHINK EUROPE 2020 AND TO PROVIDE IT WITH A TERRITORIAL DIMENSION, BETTER GOVERNANCE – INVOLVING THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER – AS WELL AS ADEQUATE FUNDING. “REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE” HAS PREPARED THIS SPECIAL FEATURE WHICH WILL PRESENT THE COMMITTEE’S VIEWS ON THE MID-TERM REVIEW ALONG WITH ITS RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR THE COR’S MEMBERS, MAINLY THE EUROPE 2020 STRATEGY PLATFORM CHAIRMAN, MICHEL DELEBARRE, TO OUTLINE THE KEY CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD. whether adjustment is needed. What are the main weaknesses of the Europe 2020 strategy which need to be remedied? Michel Delebarre (FR/PES), Chairman of the CoR’s Europe 2020 Platform

What is the added value at this stage of the Europe 2020 strategy from the perspective of local and regional authorities in the European Union?

The Europe 2020 strategy already has the advantage of existing in a crisis context. This is moreover a crisis with asymmetric regional impacts, as the economists would say. Given the differences in the way the EU Member States and the European institutions analyse the crisis, this is quite an important factor. Finally, the Europe 2020 strategy was a reference framework for stronger earmarking of the Structural Funds from 2014. The pyramid of Europe 2020 priorities will determine the range of possible Structural Fund investments. Of course, it is still too early to take stock of the situation in this respect. However, the essential added value of the Strategy for local and regional authorities may have less to do with its specific procedures than with an element of “soft power”, i.e. the fact that it has given local and regional authorities a European approach for framing their own development strategies. In my opinion, this is particularly relevant to sustainable development. One example which springs to mind is the strategic approach adopted by my region of Nord-Pas de Calais to try to anticipate the “Third Industrial Revolution”. The Europe 2020 strategy will be subject to a mid-term review. The European Commission taking up office in January 2015 will have to decide

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

The first question will be to decide whether this is a review or revision. However, let’s be realistic - in the past mid-term reviews, whether of the Lisbon strategy or the 2007-2014 budget programming period, did not bring about any revolutions. Nevertheless, I feel that there is scope for substantial revision. In terms of governance, the Europe 2020 strategy should be more inclusive and democratic, not just at European level but also at the level of Member State procedures. The European Parliament should play a more decisive role, and local and regional authorities should also be more closely involved. This involvement should come ahead of country-specific recommendations, which should not be left up to a handful of officials at the end of a corridor in some Commission building. I also think that some of the Strategy’s instruments should be revised. For example, this applies to the Flagship Initiatives, which at this stage appear to lack stability, as declarations of intention without actually providing a specific and traceable framework for action. That said, merely reforming governance will not be sufficient to get ordinary Europeans on board. Even those who are well-informed on European issues are easily confused by European national strategies and pacts with targets set in the relatively distant future. We need to know how to present these in a straightforward way, so that we can show that the European Union has a coherent framework for economic, social and environmental action, and that the EU’s general approach is not based on arbitrary decisions behind closed doors at the European Council. How can local and regional authorities and the EU contribute to a revision of the Europe

2020 strategy? And how is this contribution influenced by differing constitutional arrangements (federal, centralised and decentralised states)?

The Europe 2020 strategy is designed to have an impact on the ground, particularly in combination with European funding programmes. Local and regional authorities are a litmus test for this impact. In view of this, their contribution is essential, and in my opinion it should not be contingent on the division of powers in the respective Member States. This would be to take an excessively legalistic view of a situation which in any case is constantly changing in the different Member States, not least in my own. How is the CoR supporting the mid-term review of the Strategy, and what role will the CoR’s Europe 2020 monitoring platform play?

At the initiative of President Valcárcel, the CoR has made the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy its top priority for 2014. Consensus on this priority transcends political differences. Implementation is based on massive political and analytical efforts in advance of the positions adopted by the other European institutions, which in the first half of 2014 will have other concerns. The CoR is the institution representing EU local and regional government in European decisionmaking processes, but we realise that we are only 353 members representing some 100 000 local and regional authorities in Europe. We want to get the maximum analyses and specific experience from our dedicated Europe 2020 Strategy platform. We have had around 1100 replies to our questionnaire on the Europe 2020 strategy, which in my opinion means that we cannot be overlooked in terms of representativeness.

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Digital society challenges to be tackled in the near future We stressed the need to recognise the role that regional and local authorities play in supporting the Digital Agenda Flagship initiative

Anton Rombouts (NL/EPP), Mayor of the City of ‘s Hertogenbosch

nformation and Communication Technologies are a key factor for improving coordination and cooperation in various fields between European authorities at all levels, European citizens and private entities. In terms of governance, it is the local and regional authorities that are the closest to ordinary people; they are responsible for providing the most important services affecting the welfare of their citizens in such areas as healthcare, education, public order, data protection, cyber security and social services.

Local and regional authority involvement in the Digital Agenda fosters innovation and competitiveness through tailored solutions, including broadband roll-out, digital economy, e-inclusion and e-government. In addition, this involvement should also be seen in the broader context of the European funding provided for Digital Agenda initiatives. The CoR is convinced that substantial budgetary support will be essential in the coming years.

be given priority support under the new Horizon 2020 programme, as was the case under the research Framework Programme in the previous budget period. Lastly, we welcome the opportunities provided through the European Investment Bank, which aims to increase its loans for broadband infrastructure to EUR 2 billion euro and which has explicitly emphasised the important role for the local and regional level in this type of growth-oriented investment.

We share the European Parliament’s concerns about the Council’s decision to reduce the budget for digital infrastructure and services under the Connecting Europe Facility, from EUR 9.2 billion to just EUR 1 billion, and we urge that the resources needed for digital investments be guaranteed under the European Structural and Investment Funds, preferably at a significantly higher level than the EUR 14 billion allocated between 2007 and 2013. We also call for ICT innovation to

The CoR considers that the Digital Agenda is a successful strategy for achieving a flourishing digital economy by 2020. It outlines the policies and actions needed to maximise the benefit of the digital revolution for all. The implementation of the Digital Agenda is dependent on the right level of ambition and commitment at EU, national, regional and local level, which will empower Europe to build a new economic model based on knowledge, a sustainable economy and high employment.

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

SPECIAL FEATURE | Summit in Athens

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Espoo Innovation Garden – Locally-created project ready for global outreach The bench-learning Espoo Innovation Garden in Finland is creating new openings for European success.

Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), Member of the Espoo City Council

nvestment in infrastructure and buildings amounting to 5 billion euros has been earmarked for education, research, businesses and housing in this area over the next ten years. Large-scale social challenges are typically extremely complex in nature. The key to success is to be found in discussions about new opportunities and

research in multi-dimensional co-creation teams and networks – both regional and global. For this, boosting regional renewal capital – at the level of real life change management –is critical to success: creativity, innovation and confidence to innovate and reform are crucial for local and regional decision-makers. Drivers of change are most often universities with nearby businesses. They are challenged to create new learning and research environments with a new, open, innovation working culture. One excellent case illustrating how theory translates into practice is Aalto University in Finland and its collaboration with public and private players. The Espoo Innovation Garden – a five km2 area with the Aalto University Campus at its core– is a living community with 110 nationalities, 5 000 research scientists, over 800 companies, 16 000 students, and 43 000 residents. A great deal more is on the way, with plans and commitments to invest 5 billion euros on infrastructure and buildings for education, research, businesses and housing in this area over the next ten years. The driver of change for success is its entrepreneurial mind-set. The CoR has stated several times that EU needs pioneering regions which commit to creating new innovation eco-systems. Summing up the key outcomes of the CoR Innovation Union Conference on 27 November 2013, this means modernising Triple Helix collaboration and concepts based on the following: 1. Innovation communities operate as eco-systems through systemic value networking in a world without borders; 2. Innovation processes are strongly based on demand-driven user orientation and customers as crucial players in innovation; 3. Innovation strategies focus on catalysing open innovation and encouraging individuals and communities to move towards entrepreneurial discovery and effective use of digitalised services; 4. Innovation is accelerated through partnerships experimenting and carrying out rapid prototyping.

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

For this, regions need Smart Specialisation strategies as economic agendas for change. This RIS3 is above all an on-going dynamic, evolutionary process. When finalised, the Espoo Innovation Garden will be a living example of the Europe 2020 strategy being implemented at local level.

The Triple Helix concept comprises three basic elements: (1) A more prominent role for the university in innovation, on a par with industry and government in a knowledge–based society; (2) Movement toward collaborative relationships among the three major institutional spheres, in which innovation policy is increasingly an outcome of interaction rather than a prescription from government; (3) In addition to fulfilling their traditional functions, each institutional sphere also “takes the role of the other”, performing new roles as well as their traditional function. Institutions taking non-traditional roles are viewed as a major potential source of innovation in innovation. Initially, industry operates in the Triple Helix as the locus of production, government as the source of contractual relations that guarantee stable interactions and exchange, and the university as a source of new knowledge and technology, the generative principle of knowledgebased economies. The increased importance of knowledge and the role of the university in “incubating” technology-based firms have given it a more prominent place in the institutional firmament.

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Resource efficient Europe Linda Gillham (UK/EA), Member of Runnymede Borough Council

he Europe 2020 Strategy, which was approved by the EU and the Member States in 2010, was meant to be the EU’s primary tool for boosting Europe’s economic performance and improving sustainable development by 2020. Four years after its launch, it is now time to revise the Strategy, which is widely recognised as having failed to fully deliver on several of its flagship objectives.

In addition, the Europe 2020 Strategy is considered to be an abstract policy by most EU citizens, particularly in the UK. The EU needs to use clear and simple language if it is to explain its strategies to its citizens. ‘Clarity’ and ‘action’ should be the new buzzwords for 2014. As the EU budget represents only 2% of total public spending in the EU, the necessary resources cannot come from the EU alone. Member States have failed to make full use of EU funding to spur on the long-term investments that are so badly needed to rekindle economic growth. The lack of ownership and the

setting of targets using a top down approach, with scant regard for the role of regions and cities and their unique understanding of what is best for their local area, has helped make this strategy even less credible in the eyes of our citizens. If only the strategy could be reviewed to make it more citizen friendly and take the form of a true partnership model in which the regions and local governments are fully engaged, we would surely see a different picture in 2020. Sustainable growth in Europe

There has been some progress on Resource Efficient Europe, the flagship initiative seen as instrumental for achieving a range of EU objectives, particularly in the area of energy and climate. Among others, these objectives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making the Union more resilient to future rises in global energy prices, ensuring the more sustainable use of natural resources and a shift towards a low-carbon economy in Europe. However, despite limited progress in the EU’s environmental performance following an increase in investment in green innovation and the take up of renewable energy sources, the EU is still far from achieving most of its key target objectives. If economic growth and employment has become something of a taboo subject for the EU, this is even more so the case for the targets that were set in the areas of education, research and innovation, poverty reduction, youth and industrial policy. The economic crisis has wreaked havoc across the EU with record levels of unemployment, particularly among young people in Europe. As with the Lisbon strategy, I feel that the EU may be unable to meet the expectations that we originally set out to achieve. We need to look not only at the objectives of the EU 2020 targets and the amount of investment needed; the Member States should cooperate more closely with Local and Regional Authorities as they can help to create the right environment for growth and jobs at local level and in a more targeted manner. There is a certain reluctance for such devolved responsibility but I believe it to be of key importance.

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

SPECIAL FEATURE | Summit in Athens

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The challenges of the Youth on the Move

Alin Adrian Nica (RO/ALDE), Mayor of Dudestii Noi

ith the help of the Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) carried out a survey to evaluate the success of the “Youth on the Move” flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 Strategy from 26 September 2012 to 5 November 2012. The majority of respondents witnessed a rise in youth unemployment and a decline or stagnation in youth employment. In addition, many respondents believe that the changing nature of the labour market means there is a need to rethink the skills and experiences taught at school, to prepare young people more for the transition from school to work, to provide more specialised training and continued career advice, to increase young people’s mobility

and to take action to reach out to marginalised young people i.e. those who are not catered for by conventional employment agencies due to socioeconomic reasons, migration or other factors. The overwhelming sentiment among respondents was therefore that all three aims of the Youth on the Move initiative are relevant. Given the overall growing concerns about youth employment and the widespread recognition that an active labour market for young people generates multiple benefits for all age groups, all respondents stated that their city or region was engaged in programmes promoting objectives such as job creation, skills development and matching, mobility, etc. The approaches taken are very diverse and tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of each city or region. The ongoing economic crisis playing out throughout the EU, particularly in Greece, Spain, and Portugal, is having a significant adverse impact on young people today, as reflected in youth unemployment rates, which have risen in virtually all respondents’ localities. Peripheral regions, especially

island areas, have suffered more than central, more affluent regions. Globalisation and systemic changes in the labour market mean that there is a need to rethink education at secondary and tertiary levels, along with vocational training and life-long learning opportunities. If they are to succeed, young people today must choose their field of study or work with great care and be prepared to be flexible, motivated and active in continuing to develop their knowledge and skills base. Mobility is an important means through which young people can broaden their skills and gain valuable experience. Migration for employment purposes is more prevalent now than it has been in the recent past; however, it is worth bearing in mind that it can also have negative effects for those regions that lose skilled workers.

Early school leaving Early school leaving is one of the strongest inverse predictors for job prospects. The completion of full-time education is essential for accessing the job market, particularly in the case of disadvantaged young people, who experience additional forms of exclusion and discrimination. The initiative addresses key problems and is useful as it views the different aims and strategies in tandem and not as isolated issues. Indeed, the survey shows just how interrelated the issues of education, youth employment, mobility and life-long learning are. As regards the actions and policies developed as part of the Youth on the Move initiative, cooperation between different tiers of government is critical because the EU and national governments can and should set the broader parameters of policy whereas the details of their implementation and adaptation to local circumstances are most effectively carried out by local authorities. Equally, local and regional authorities need to communicate back to the national and EU levels about what works and what does not. Funding for the actions under the Youth on the Move initiative is diverse but should continue to mobilise local, national and EU funds. The EU Structural Funds, in particular the European Social Fund, are critical, especially for resourcestrapped countries and regions. It is important to monitor the Youth on the Move initiative and the national targets are widely considered to be adequate although there are a few important exceptions: the outermost regions may require adjustments as may a number of rural areas that have been hardest hit by economic and systemic shifts in the types and availability of jobs; this is also true for the labour force.

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

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Industry is the lynchpin of Europe’s economic recovery Claude Gewerc (FR/PES), President of Picardy Regional Council

s well as weakening the European Union’s productive capacity, the current crisis has also widened inequalities within the EU and raised increasing and legitimate concerns about relocations, social dumping and the lack of competitiveness of Europe’s businesses. Since 2008, Europe has lost more than three million jobs in the manufacturing sector alone.

Yet, with a market of over 500 million people, a trained and skilled workforce, the second most important global currency and innovative businesses, Europe has what it takes to get the economy going again. Our industry, which employs thirty five million women and men, indubitably represents the “engine” of our economy. For some time now, I have been calling for the EU to establish an integrated industrial policy, with a strong local and regional dimension. We need to take steps not only to encourage innovation and investment and improve access to financing and markets but also to develop skills and training to keep pace with structural changes and anticipate future job requirements. With this in mind, the Picardy Region has now been running its “Industrial Spring” event for almost ten years, with

significant success in achieving its goal of changing young people’s attitudes to jobs and careers in industry. European level coordination on industrial issues could help to close the competitiveness gap between the European Union and the other great world powers and enable us to hold our own more effectively on the world stage. The next International Climate Conference is to be held in Paris in 2015 and it will be vital for Europe’s regions to be represented there. The success of the negotiations will, in my view, depend on whether the European partners manage beforehand to agree on an ambitious agenda for industry.

Industrial policy and manufacturing

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

SPECIAL FEATURE | Summit in Athens

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The Agenda for New Skills and Jobs in the regions to help meet the target of 75% employment among people of working age (aged 20 to 64) by 2020.

Pavel Branda (CZ/ECR), Deputy Mayor of Rádlo

s an economic area, the European Union has been aware for many years that it needs to reinvigorate the dynamism and competitiveness of its economy. Unfortunately, the Treaty of Lisbon, adopted in 2000, failed to live up to its ambitions and care is being taken with the recently adopted Europe 2020 strategy to get things right. The Committee of the Regions constantly reiterates the point that the local and regional levels need to be involved in the strategy at every stage if tangible results are to be achieved. This applies not least to the successful implementation of one of the EU2020’s flagship initiatives, the Agenda for New Skills and Jobs, which was launched in 2010

The main EU instrument for implementing particular measures is the European Social Fund (ESF). Between 2007 and 2013, the Czech Republic used ESF funding from three operational programmes focussing on human resources and jobs, education and adaptability. This made a potential EUR 3.8 billion available to Czech applicants.

Since 2007 Liberec Region has been conducting a campaign to foster education in science and technology disciplines.

These programmes are also used by the regions. I am from Liberec Region, which occupies a rather special location, neighbouring both Poland and Germany. This is a region with a very strong indus-

trial tradition whose economy has seen dramatic transformation in recent decades. The traditional textile sector has ceded to new branches, especially the automotive industry. However, the region has long contended with a shortage of skilled labour in some trades. In a bid to reverse this unfortunate state of affairs, since 2007 Liberec Region has been conducting a campaign to foster education in science and technology disciplines. To this end, the region has its own grant programme to encourage vocational training in shortage disciplines. Liberec Region uses projects supported from the ESF to encourage pupils at primary and secondary schools to study the trades needed. Among the initiatives organised are “projects days”, where primary school pupils are able to use the practical classrooms, laboratories and workshops of secondary schools and find out about different disciplines. Various leisure time activities are starting to be offered where people can improve their skills. Trips to industrial heritage sites and exhibitions are organised, and in-service training centres are being set up for teachers. The region’s unique border location also provides scope for collaboration between companies and educational institutions. Liberec Region is playing an active part in the cross-border cooperation that has now been going on for more than twenty years in the Neisse-Nisa-Nysa Euroregion. The academic coordination centre in the Euroregion orchestrates cooperation between higher education institutions in the three neighbouring countries (joint academic boards, student exchanges, shared academic journal, etc.). There is even a co-run Neisse University, where students study in a different country each year. Chambers of commerce also work together, there are contact centres for businesses, and cross-border prizes for innovation are awarded regularly. Liberec Region concludes from its own experience that the most important task is the matching of the demands of the labour market (employers) and the supply of skilled labour. This will not happen by itself: it needs the active commitment of all the key partners, including companies. And it needs the regional authorities, above all, to play a coordinating role. The crucial thing for border regions, however, is to capitalise on the potential of crossborder education and the cross-border labour market to ensure that frontiers are not a barrier but an opportunity.

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

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Help for socially disadvantaged and disabled people is a priority for the Bratislava Region Pavol Frešo (SK/EPP), President of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region

he Bratislava Region provides social services to make life easier for severely disabled people; and help those in difficult circumstances and demonstrate that such people are valued and can be integrated into society. The Bratislava Region runs 15 social services facilities for various target groups. The oldest of these is the adult Social Care Centre (SCC) in Báhoň, which has been in operation for almost 80 years. A number of institutions celebrated anniversaries in recent years, including the Karol Matulay SCC, Slovakia’s first

day centre for mentally handicapped children (30th anniversary in 2012), Sibírska SCC (25th anniversary), Hestia SCC (20th anniversary) and the Integra SCC for adults and children (20th anniversary). This year, Rača SCC will also celebrate its 20th anniversary. Javorinská SCC for adults and children, founded in 1969, is another of the oldest facilities in Central Europe. The fact that these institutions have been in operation for many years shows that we are carrying on a tradition. The Bratislava Region also supports a number of organisations and projects that focus on social services and aid to residents.

the “2012-2015 National Action Plan for the Transition from Institutional to Community Care in the Social Services System”, adopted by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Families, which is based on the Europe 2020 strategy and the European Commission’s European Disability Strategy 2010-2020. The “Quality Requirements for Social Services of the Bratislava Region” adopted by the Bratislava regional council constitute a further significant step towards improving the quality of social services. This is the first, and so far only, such document produced by a Slovak region.

In addition, the region has broadened and improved the quality of its social services by opening five sheltered housing centres, which allow disabled people to live as independently as possible and greatly improve their quality of life when compared to traditional institutional care. The Bratislava Region is also thereby implementing

The Bratislava Region also organises its own events, such as the Regional Olympic Games for senior citizens from institutions run by the region and by the City of Bratislava. The aim of the event is to provide senior citizens with a light-hearted opportunity to take part in sport, get exercise and have fun at the same time.

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

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POLICY ANALYSIS

Europe 2020: Mid-term results, expectations and policy recommendations REGARDLESS OF THE DIFFERENCES THAT EXIST IN TERMS OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL MAKE-UP OR THE COMPETENCES AND RESOURCES AT THEIR DISPOSAL, THE EU’S LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES UNDOUBTEDLY PLAY A KEY ROLE IN MANY OF THE POLICY AREAS COVERED BY THE EUROPE 2020 STRATEGY, BE IT INNOVATION, EDUCATION, SOCIAL PROTECTION, ENVIRONMENT RELATED POLICIES OR OTHERS. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE 1059 PARTICIPANTS IN THE LATEST COR CONSULTATION STATED THAT EUROPE 2020 HAD HELPED THEM TO IMPROVE THE WAY IN WHICH THEY SET THEIR PRIORITIES ALLOWING THEM TO MAKE MEASURABLE PROGRESS. LRAS ACROSS EUROPE HAVE BEEN KEEN TO ADOPT A LONG-TERM VISION FOR EUROPEAN GROWTH AND NOT ONLY TO APPLY SHORT-TERM ANTI-CRISIS MEASURES.

lagship Initiatives have encouraged many respondents to adopt policy programs that are specifically in line with their goals. LRAs have found them to be both useful and relevant and this has been reflected in both the policies and actions adopted locally and the information provided by LRAs in response to the CoR’s surveys. The strategy has created a framework for stimulation, inspiration, participation and for the exchange of ideas. In some cases, LRAs have adopted governance systems involving the participation of stakeholders, including in the area of target-setting, as well as forms of vertical coordination between the different levels of government. Other region and cities meanwhile would appear to feel less involved and seem to have adopted a more distant approach towards Europe 2020. They consider it to be an abstract policy which sets unrealistic targets. This is due to a combination of factors such as a lack of vertical coordination between all levels of government, policy cycles and budgets, a lack of resources or administrative capabilities and others.

Progress towards the Europe 2020 targets is below expectations The evidence gathered by the CoR shows that progress towards the Europe 2020 targets set at EU and national level is below expectations. The Europe 2020 indicators, monitored by Eurostat, confirm the findings of the CoR’s reports, highlighting that the existing gaps between regions have widened even further. However, major problems with obtaining complete and timely data at regional level have meant that it has been particularly difficult to analyse this situation in any detail.

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

The economic crisis has taken a heavy toll on the EU’s regions. The gaps that exist between them in terms of levels of GDP and employment have widened dramatically, reversing the convergence trend of previous years, while sub-national budgets have undergone dramatic cuts, mainly at the expense of public investments. It has proven difficult to improve employment rates and other Europe 2020 target indicators during what has been the worst crisis for decades. However, there is a good deal of evidence to suggest that there are also other reasons for Europe 2020’s unsatisfactory progress so far. The CoR’s assessment pinpoints the weaknesses of the strategy’s ‘territorially blind’ approach to policy design, which ignores the strengths, weaknesses and specific development opportunities of Europe’s regions. This approach risks jeopardising the chances of the Europe 2020 objectives being achieved which could, in turn, increase regional disparities, aggravate territorial vulnerabilities further and reduce to an unsatisfactory level the number of investments that are so necessary for supporting long-term growth, thereby undermining the required sense of commitment to, and ‘ownership’ of, the Europe 2020 strategy.

Strategy needs better vertical coordination between all levels of government The Europe 2020 targets are often considered to be unrealistic yet the opposite is true: the targets aim to set relevant and credible challenges thereby

enabling them to play an effective role in terms of stimulating, monitoring and assessing action. To achieve this aim, the targets should vary between regions and should be set in partnership involving all levels of government, mixing a topdown and a bottom-up approach. The annual cycle of EU economic governance (European Semester) should follow the same principle. To tap into the potential of place-based approaches, National Reform Programmes (NRPs) should be designed, implemented, monitored and assessed by all levels of government and other relevant stakeholders based on a partnership approach. Against the background of the worst economic crisis in living memory, the European Semesters from 2011 to 2014 have focused on the short-term need for fiscal consolidation. Europe 2020’s longer term goals of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth must remain at the top of the agenda in the European Semester.

Long-term funding approach and more effective spending The investments needed to support the strategy require a long-term funding approach and more effective spending. The EU budget plays a vital structuring role, primarily through the cohesion policy instruments. As public money alone will not suffice, innovative solutions should be identified to mobilise private funds, including through the increasing involvement of the EIB. If they are to play a frontline role, LRAs must improve their capability to spend more effectively, doing more with less

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The Europe 2020 strategy could benefit from a combination of bottom-up and top-down planning and target setting 48 %

37 %

1 2

12 %

Fully agree

Substancially agree

Agree to a limited extent Do not agree at all

as well as handling new financial instruments in an efficient way. The quality of public administration is crucial in this sense and, more broadly speaking, for ensuring a territorially differentiated approach to the Europe 2020 strategy. Multi-level governance relies on the skills, competences, experiences and knowledge of the different levels of government, and the LRAs must assume their responsibilities in this process. Therefore, rethinking Europe 2020 based on a mix of top-down and bottom-up planning involves strengthening administrative capabilities and placing this issue at the very top of the EU’s policy agenda. The LRAs need to be supported in their efforts to improve their administrative capabilities, the lack of which hits those regions that are lagging behind the hardest.

The CoR Bureau’s political declaration, and the accompanying mid-term assessment report that will be discussed and adopted during the Athens Summit, are intended to spearhead an in-depth debate, involving all stakeholders, on how to pursue the objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, building on the differentiated assets of Europe’s cities and regions. We expect the European Commission to publish a new Communication on the Europe 2020 midterm review in March which will be discussed at the spring European Council. We hope that Europe’s policy makers will take account of the CoR’s recommendations on how to renew the Europe 2020 Strategy and ensure its long-term success, EU’s economic growth and social cohesion.

No answer

Youth employment and education

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

RAPPORTEURS HAVE THEIR SAY IN THIS REGULAR COLUMN, MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGION WRITE IN THEIR OWN WORDS WHAT MOTIVATES THEM TO TAKE ON THE ROLE OF RAPPORTEUR FOR THE POLICY AREA THAT THEY ARE WRITING THEIR OPINION. THE FOLLOWING EIGHT OP-EDS FOCUS ON A DIVERSE NUMBER OF TOPICS FROM WASTE SHIPPING REGULATIONS TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A EUROPEAN PUBLIC PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE.

European Long Term Investment Funds Simone Beissel (LU/ALDE), Chair of the CoR’s Commission for Economic and Social Policy and municipal council of the City of Luxembourg

he idea behind European Long Term Investment Funds – ELTIFs – is to create an investment fund for long-term investments, for example in infrastructure projects. The Committee of the Regions would like ELTIFs to become an attractive tool for financing investments in European regions, in areas such as energy, transport, communications infrastructure, industrial service facilities, housing, and climate change and eco-innovation facilities. In many regions, public investment is decreasing, making private investment more necessary than ever, but it remains difficult to attract funds. A clear and harmonised legal framework on ELTIFs, for example, could be a major step forward, although it must under no circumstances replace the transfer of national government funding to sub-national authorities. This is

partly why the ECOS commission decided to draft an opinion on this rather complex financial topic. Another reason why ELTIFs are important is that they are intended to be an attractive investment for pension funds. In some Member States, local and regional authorities operate their own pension funds, which might be interested in channelling some longterm investments into ELTIFs. The main message in the opinion is that the CoR broadly welcomes the Commission’s proposal on ELTIFs, even though some rather technical changes are proposed. This is in line with the previous CoR opinion on the Commission’s Green Paper on the long-term financing of the European economy. The CoR also points out that ELTIFs could make a major contribution to

the Europe 2020 strategy, as smart, sustainable and inclusive growth can be promoted by investment in long-term assets. The draft opinion also points to the benefits of a harmonised market in long-term investment funds. Currently, small Member States such as Luxembourg and Estonia suffer in particular from the fragmented capital market. ELTIFs must strike a balance between attracting and generating demand for long-term investment while ensuring choice for investors. The CoR also points out, however, that differences in Member States’ tax-regimes could be an obstacle to pooling capital in ELTIFs, especially where cross-border projects are concerned.

We are urging the Commission to set alert thresholds for social issues Jean-Louis Destans (FR/PES), President of Eure General Council

o date, the European Commission has tackled tensions in the Euro area purely from an economic and monetary point of view. This approach should be consolidated in future by taking better account of the social inequalities and imbalances which have been affecting our fellow citizens badly. This is in any case the thrust of the Commission’s proposals and the reason we believe that they are essentially going in the right direction. The conclusions of the last European Council meeting have nevertheless prompted us to be on our guard. In the opinion on the social dimension of economic and monetary union, European local and regional authorities have had the opportunity to point out that it is through governance and eco-

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

nomic policy coordination processes that this social dimension should be secured. Although the Commission is therefore making significant progress by recommending that a social scoreboard be drawn up, there are two levels on which this proposal can be improved: The first concerns the list of indicators to be selected. As it stands, it is too restrictive, and we propose to add to it. The second regards the use to be made of the scoreboard. We believe that it must serve as much more than just a statistical tool and should provide a launch pad for policy action. That is why we are asking the Commission to set social alert thresholds, as has been done for debt and public deficits,

but this time with a difference: in the social domain, exceeding the threshold would not automatically trigger sanctions, rather, a mechanism should be used to encourage convergence. Lastly, there is the recurrent issue of economic stabilisers, which the Commission only outlines in sketchy terms. These are however specific tools that other currency areas, such as the United States, have developed and must therefore be looked at carefully. That is why we are calling for a green paper on the subject.

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Three climate targets for 2030 Sirpa Hertell (FI/EPP), Vice-chair of Espoo City Council

limate change and energy policy are major challenges for Europe. Together we need to look for ways in which regions and their residents and businesses can together chart a course towards a more sustainable future. As I was drawing up my opinion, I spoke to representatives of the Commission and the Parliament and met with a number of civil society representatives. We all share a desire to limit the rise in the average temperature to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to achieve this we need to set a binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50% of 1990 levels. I also propose that we adopt binding targets for renewable energy and energy-efficiency. A decision on the principles of burden sharing should account for particular national environmental and economic circumstances.

In early January a joint meeting of two of the European Parliament’s committees backed a motion calling for the EU to set three climate targets. I am pleased that our discussions have borne fruit and that the Parliament’s committees underlined in their own statement the importance of the local level in climate measures. It is very unfortunate that there is no mention in the Green Paper of the importance of local and regional authorities or of the measures they have already taken in terms of climate and energy issues. I am concerned about the lack of options when it comes to funding for local and regional authorities, which the economic crisis appears to have made worse. The protracted crisis and globalisation put efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change at risk. In my opinion I call on the Commission to

support and encourage the local level and the Member States to achieve the targets that have been set, not least by using its funding programmes. A large number of cities in Europe have worked effectively and on their own initiative to restrain climate change. Concentrating on the broader picture generally yields better results nationally than excessively detailed instructions. It ensures maximum costefficiency, the best measures and the right schedule, which means the most effective toolkit. The best way to ensure public confidence in EU policymaking is to avoid overly prescriptive guidelines.

Waste Shipping Regulations Paula Baker (UK/ALDE), Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council

used to think that “Waste Tourism” was what people like me did on their foreign holidays – dragging their family to look at interesting recycling centres they went past and stopping to take photographs of innovative waste bin in the local camp site! No, “Waste Tourism” is really a much darker reality, where containers of dangerous materials are moved from port to port until they can slip out of the EU, unnoticed. They are illegal waste shipments, probably destined to be ripped apart by children on a beach in West Africa, with little training and no safety equipment. A few of the precious resources these materials contain are saved, the rest are likely to be burnt, in the open, polluting the air, water and soil in the area. It shouldn’t happen. We have Waste Shipment Regulations that should prevent it. But they do not work as they are meant to. So the Commission is proposing to amend them, building on guidance from the IMPEL network. Since starting this rapporteurship I have met many stakeholders and have learnt just

how devious waste criminals can be. I have met the European Parliament rapporteur, Mr Bart Staes, and with him made a visit to Antwerp Port. We had a very good discussion with staff from Customs, the Belgian Federal Environment service, the Flanders Department of Environment, the Brussels Institute for Management of the Environment and a Magistrate from Antwerp Public Prosecutor. Then we looked at some containers. One was thought to be suspect as it was described as “household goods” en route to Africa, but a gas tester detected the presence of a vehicle inside the container. So it was opened. It contained a van with very strange “household goods”, it had 10 computer monitors and four broken exercise bikes visible. Another container was opened, also “household goods”, also going to Africa. This one contained a van, several lorry tyres and a fridge. Loads like this have to be unloaded at the shipper’s expense, so that the contents can be tested to see if they really are “goods” or are in fact illegal waste.

The visit to Antwerp underlined how important it is to make our waste shipment regulations work properly. The amendments that the Commission is proposing will help to do that by introducing an obligation to prepare and publish waste shipment inspection plans based on a risk assessment of specific waste streams and intelligence based data. I also believe that the Commission should create a code conversion table between customs codes and waste codes and create a platform for effective cooperation between Member States. The opinion recommends amendments to the text proposed by the Commission to introduce these measures and to require publication of the outcome of inspections. Finally, for all our peace of minds, I think every waste authority should report to their residents on the end destination of our waste and recycling, to give us confidence that we are not contributing to the pollution of developing countries.

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

RAPPORTEURS HAVE THEIR SAY

New European forestry strategy Spyros Spyridon (EL/EPP), Regional Councillor, Attica

t the Committee of the Regions’ recent plenary session I had the opportunity to introduce its draft opinion on the new strategy for forests and the forestry sector unveiled by the EU Commission in September 2013. The adoption of this opinion marks an important step, giving the CoR an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing debate on comprehensive forest management based on sustainability and public wellbeing. 40% of the EU’s land area is covered by forests, a percentage that is currently on the rise. Forests have always been important from an economic and social perspective. It is worth mentioning that forest biomass accounts for 50% of energy produced from renewable sources in the EU, and it has been estimated that the forestry sector provides around 3 500 000 jobs. The main reason for overhauling the 1998 forest strategy is that we are in danger of disturbing the

harmonious relationship that has always existed between man and forest, a relationship that marries economic activity and care and protection for the forest. By way of example, the amount of wood to be used in the immediate future purely for energy purposes will be equivalent to today’s entire output. This forecast needs to be given careful consideration in view of its implications (for forest ecology and wood production sustainability). The new forest strategy seeks to safeguard biodiversity, productivity and adequate regeneration of our forests both locally and globally. My aim in this opinion, which is the fruit of wideranging consultations and research and incorporates apposite comments made by my colleagues, is to speak for local authorities the length and the breadth of the EU. On a more detailed note, we point to the key role of local and regional authorities in shaping and implementing the forest strategy; we call for multi-fund support for the relevant

2014-2020 policies; we highlight the dangers, such as illegal logging and poaching, which are on the increase as a result of the protracted recession; we call for a level playing field for small and mediumsized enterprises vis-a-vis larger companies and, finally, we emphasise the importance of public information campaigns and a cultural shift in order to make society more aware of the many and varied benefits that forests have to offer. Through broad dissemination of this opinion and awareness-raising initiatives in local communities, it is my hope that the Committee of the Regions will be able to make a positive contribution to the effective implementation of the new forestry strategy in the EU.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office Holger Poppenhäger (DE/PES), Chairman of the German delegation in the CoR and Justice Minister of Thüringen

n my capacity as Committee of the Regions rapporteur, I feel that the proposal for a Regulation to establish a European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is positive and worthy of support. Due to serious barriers to prosecution of financial crime, especially subsidy fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, numerous investigations in Europe get nowhere, thus affecting the EU’s financial capacity. A final discussion on the opinion on the proposal for a European Public Prosecutor’s Office will take place in the Committee of the Regions on 30 January 2014. In these discussions I will argue that the Commission’s proposal is a necessary European instrument for penal investigation, and I will call for it to be supported. According to EU Member States, some EUR 500 million of subsi-

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

dies and similar funding is embezzled; however, this could be just the tip of the iceberg. It is therefore vital to prosecute such crimes without delay, so that unduly awarded funding can be recovered. Statistics suggest that just 42.3% of these cases can be prosecuted at national level. Arguments by some Member States that establishing a European Public Prosecutor’s Office is unnecessary and among other things could violate the subsidiarity principle are unfounded. It is true that European anti-fraud agency OLAF can detect such crimes and forward the results of its investigations to Member States with a recommendation to prosecute. However, not all countries follow this up effectively enough. I believe that the EU’s pro-

posal goes in the right direction, although it is likely there will be resistance from some countries. It should also be pointed out that there is widespread support in both the EP’s conservative and socialist political groups. However, many questions will still have to be addressed during the forthcoming legislative procedure. To a large extent, investigative powers are described in general terms, and these could come into conflict with national legislation. It is important to ensure that defence and prosecution are on an equal footing, at the same time as ensuring effective legal protection from EPPO decisions. Most likely, future discussions will not be about “whether”, but “how”.

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The sustainable future of inland waterway transport Brian Meaney (IE/EA), Clare County Council and Mid-West Regional Authority

n many respects inland waterway transport in Europe is the Cinderella of transport modes. Its potential to provide for sustainable transport options in Europe has been undervalued. The facts are simple, on average, a gallon of fuel, allows one ton of cargo to be shipped 59 miles by truck, 202 miles by rail and 514 miles by barge. While these are US statistics the reality is still the same in Europe. The goal of improving engine performance embodied in the “Naiades II package”, can only but improve these transport efficiency statistics.

and important ecosystems. So unlike other modes, inland waterway transport must ensure a sustainable balance between its activities and the other

The Committee of the Regions highlights that inland waterways not only serve transport needs but are also significant regional assets in terms of water supply, energy generation, recreation and tourism

uses of the waterway. This is an important context within which the sector operates and for which local and regional authorities have a direct interest and key responsibility.

So unlike other modes, inland waterway transport must ensure a sustainable balance between its activities and the other uses of the waterway.

The role of regions in land-use and transportation policy is important, especially in how spatial planning significantly influences transport demand, transport movements and in helping to make multi-modal transport a more attractive option. Waterways and inland ports are key infrastructures for regional economic development and we have a direct interest and role in maximising the best and most efficient use of our waterways.

Local and Regional Authorities take the lead in addressing health inequalities Constance Hanniffy (IE/EPP), Offaly County Council and Midland Regional Authority

he regrettable extent of continuing health inequalities across the EU is outlined in the Commission’s report on Health Inequalities - a striking example being the 19 year difference in healthy life years between citizens of Slovakia and Sweden. However differences exist as much within regions and Member States as between them. Equally, the range of factors that affect health socio-economic disadvantage, the policies and actions of authorities at all levels, the choices we make as individuals as well as biological and geographical factors are well-documented. Our local and regional authorities play key roles in the direct provision of public health services while other functions and policies, such as in employment, housing, transport, land-use planning, the environment, education and public safety ensure that they are key actors in tackling health inequalities.

In the opinion, I emphasise that inequalities cannot be reduced by the health sector alone, rather, it requires action by all those whose work promotes health and wellbeing through coordinated planning - the Health in All Policies approach. Fostering a culture of multi-level governance is a consistent theme of the Committee of the Regions and this is particularly appropriate to reducing health inequalities. I encourage the introduction and implementation of overarching intersectoral strategies as reducing health inequalities will require commitment from the many relevant departments such as health, social protection, education, transport, energy and so on and from the different levels of governance. The inclusion of health-related actions across a diverse range of EU programmes further encourages higher-level intersectoral strategies so that the maximum benefits for improved health outcomes can be gained from the resources available.

Across the EU, there are impressive examples of such strategies and programmes at the local and regional level but I firmly believe that strong political and organisational leadership is needed to drive this agenda; and this is where we, as political leaders, can make the difference in our own communities.

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

BRIEF NEWS AND EVENTS CoR President in German Bundesrat

CoR President Valcárcel Siso in the German Bundesrat

“As the EU faces one of the gravest crises in its history, the return of subsidiarity into the Eurosceptic debate could be an opportunity to help secure better EU legislation.” This was the opening message of Committee of the Regions president, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, at the 6th Subsidiarity Conference co organised with the German Bundesrat in Berlin in December 2013. President Valcárcel Siso highlighted the risks if the discussion fails to look to the future: “Subsidiarity will remain a dead letter if all the stakeholders involved act independently and on their own. Together, we can constructively put subsidiarity at the centre of the debate for better governance in Europe with collaborative thinking that benefits people on the ground.” The CoR president gave his views on the ongoing debate in some Member States about the review of the EU competences: “Subsidiarity is not simply about less legislation at EU level: it is about getting legislation in at the right level, as close as possible to citizens. Now more than ever, we need a Europe that is ever closer to grassroots concerns.” The need to harness public support for a constructive approach to subsidiarity was also underlined by the president of the Bundesrat, Stephan Weil: “Citizens’ trust in Europe and the European idea must be strengthened again actively” he said, adding that: “Even in a bigger, more united Europe, issues that can best be addressed locally, should be addressed locally.” The chair of the CoR Subsidiarity Monitoring Network, Michael Schneider (EPP/DE), who is the Saxony-Anhalt Envoy to the Federal Government and a member of the Bundesrat, outlined the institutional function of the Committee and its commitment to subsidiarity: “The Lisbon Treaty gave the CoR more responsibility here as it can now bring an action before the EU Court of Justice on grounds of subsidiarity. But it is much more important for the CoR to provide input into

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

European decision-making early, long before the final judicial stage. Moreover, we are seeking to foster shared responsibility among European, national, regional and local institutions for ensuring the correct application of the subsidiarity and proportionality principles so as to put in place a truly Europe-wide subsidiarity culture.” The debate then turned to the role of national and regional parliaments, mainly in relation to the Subsidiarity Early Warning System that gives them the opportunity to oppose to EU draft legislation on the grounds of infringement of the subsidiarity principle. The two recent cases where this system came into play – the Monti II Regulation and the proposal to create a European Public Prosecutor’s Office – provided an opportunity to critically assess the arrangements and to propose improvements, ranging from an extension of the eight-week deadline for national parliaments to react, to the lowering of the thresholds for triggering the mechanism and the inclusion of non-legislative initiatives in the scrutiny.

CoR supports Ukraine’s EU integration

CoR President Valcárcel Siso gives interview in Maidan Square, Kiev

On 22 January, leading a delegation of members of the Committee of the Regions in Kiev, CoR President Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso has strongly condemned the escalation of violence and expressed sympathy to the families of the victims. Meeting with civil society representatives from Maidan Square, he voiced support to the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom and human rights. “The EU is on the side of democracy and freedom. There is no room for exceptions”, stressed President Valcárcel Siso. Referring to the government’s decision to abandon political and free-trade agreements with the EU last November, President Valcárcel said: “For many people in Ukraine, European integration is more than a commercial agreement or a simple piece of paper: it represents a vision for the future, a project offering Ukrainians a perspective of stability, peace, democracy, solidarity and respect for their rights and free-

doms”, adding that “Given the current events and protests, the Ukrainian civil society needs the support of the European Union now more than ever. We need to keep all channels of dialogue open at all levels of government, encouraging Ukraine’s government to achieve its declared objective of European integration and reiterating that the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement is still possible”. The CoR delegation, composed of Arnoldas Abramavičius (LT/EPP), Mayor of Zarasai District Municipality, Mick Antoniw (PES/UK), Member of the National Assembly for Wales, Dr. István Sértő Radics (ALDE/HU), Mayor of Uszka, Uno Siberg (EA/EE), Member of Kose Rural Municipality Council, and Daiva Matoniene (ECR/LT), Deputy Mayor of Šiauliai, also met with Ukrainian members of the Conference of the Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), as well as representatives of Ukrainian regions and cities’ associations. The delegation recalled the conclusions of the last Eastern Partnership Summit held in Vilnius which provide a platform for cooperation between local and regional authorities and explicitly recognise the role of local democracy in the EU’s Eastern Partnership.

EPP Study visit of the European institutions

Are you a student enrolled in a Master’s Programme in European Studies, Political Science or International Relations? Are you worried about your job prospects and in need of some answers? Would you like to witness EU decision-making and the relevance of regional actors first-hand before casting your vote in the 2014 European Elections? Then why not apply for a 2-day study visit of the EU Committee of the Regions, European Parliament and European Commission with the largest political force in Europe? Deadline for applications: 7 March 2014 Hosted by the European People’s Party Group in the Committee of the Regions For more information, please visit www.epp.cor. europa.eu or contact eppstudyvisit@cor.europa.eu

Nº 86 – JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014

In addition to the Secondary Schools Competition, the European Alliance group also organises an annual Primary Schools Competition in which pupils produce paintings about topics related to their region and Europe. More information is available at: www.ea.cor.europa.eu.

EA Secondary Schools Competition

image and prestige of a place. This is why we need an integrated approach to supporting the cultural and creative sectors.”

Conference on “Culture and Creativity” The European Alliance group is launching its Secondary Schools Competition. This year, the competition’s theme is the 2014 campaign on reconciling work and family life. For the ninth year in a row, the European Alliance group at the Committee of the Regions is launching a competition aimed at secondary school students. In 2014, the competition will be open to secondary schools from eight Member States: Belgium, Ireland, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. Participating students will complete a multiple choice quiz testing their knowledge of the European Union and write an essay on the 2014 campaign on reconciling work and family life. The two most successful students from each participating school will have the opportunity to come to Brussels during the Committee of the Regions’ June plenary session, meet CoR members and the Committee president and find out more about Brussels, not just as the administrative seat of the European Union but also as a city with an interesting history and culture. In the past nine years, more than 200 secondary school students from all over Europe have had the opportunity to come to Brussels through this competition, see first-hand how the European institutions work and make many new friends of the same age from other European countries.

In light of new EU funding opportunities for the period of 2014-2020, the Committee of the Regions hosted a conference on “Culture and Creativity”. Held from 29 to 30 January 2014, the purpose of the conference was to stress how investing in the cultural and creative sector must be part of the EU’s response to the financial and economic crisis, and therefore called for a long-term vision for Europe closely linked to culture and creativity. More than 200 participants, including policy-makers from all levels of government, cultural associations, artists and designers, shared success stories from the field and examined their impact on local development. Against the background the launch of the new Creative Europe programme, CoR First VicePresident, Mercedes Bresso (IT/PSE), emphasised the growth potential of culture and creativity for cities and regions: “Cultural investment makes a fundamental contribution to economic attractiveness, hence growth and employment, of cities and regions.” In the keynote speech of the closing session, Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner in charge of Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, emphasised how much the impact of the cultural and creative sectors on regions and cities goes beyond economic benefits: “Culture promotes the creativity of societies, shapes the unique identity of cities and regions, enhances the quality of life and enriches the

Mercedes Bresso, CoR First Vice-President, Karen Coleman, broadcaster, and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner

The event facilitated ‘creative networking’ with representatives of selected projects from different cultural and creative institutions, organisations and networks as well as information sessions on the ‘Creative Europe’ programme. The conference was combined with a cultural event ‘Las Minas Flamenco Tour’ from Spain in the Albert Hall, Brussels. Las Minas started its world tour in 2014 showcasing flamenco as a best practice on how a cultural event could foster local economic development.

AGENDA Conference on “For a Europe of regions and cities: the view of young people”

1 April

CoR plenary session

2-3 April

Inter-institutional Open Doors Day

17 May

Conference on “The state of Europe’s sub-national public finances”

24 June

CoR plenary session

26-27 June

12th OPEN DAYS-European Week of Regions and Cities

6-9 October

CoR plenary session

7-8 October

5th European Conference on Public Communication (EuroPCom)

15-16 October

Conference on “Governing a multi-level Europe”

2 December

CoR plenary session

3-4 December

Brussels, Belgium

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

WWW.EUROPARL.EU #EP2014

European Elections 2014 Former Committee members drive regional policy at the European Parliament WITH THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS APPROACHING AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS’ 20TH ANNIVERSARY JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO MEET SOME OF THOSE MEPS WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE IN THE PAST. WE TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THEIR LOCAL EXPERIENCE AND HOW THEIR LOCAL ROOTS ARE HELPING THEM TO FORGE NEW REGIONAL POLICY IN THEIR LEGISLATIVE WORK TODAY AND TO ENSURE BETTER COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO INSTITUTIONS.

his May, the people of Europe will be electing new members to the European Parliament in EU wide direct elections, an event which will also mark the Committee of the Regions 20th anniversary. Despite the European Parliament’s rather modest beginnings as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), it now enjoys significant legislative, budgetary and supervisory powers and, thanks to the co-decision procedure, acts as part of a joint legislature with the Council in many policy areas. The European Parliamentary Assembly’s first plenary session on 19 March 1958 saw the election of the former French prime minister and foreign minister, Robert Schuman, as its president. The parliamentary term was fixed at five years. MEPs come from many different backgrounds and include former members of national parliaments as well as ministers. We wanted to speak to those MEPs who have also been members of the Committee of the Regions. They shared with us their experiences of local and regional politics and spoke about how this grass-roots experience has helped them to become more efficient European legislators.

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

due to receive EUR 20.5 billion in EU funds during the new programme period 2014–2020. It was therefore crucial to prepare efficient programmes and legislation to help cities and regions to spend European funds more effectively.

Oldrich Vlasák MEP, vice-president of the European Parliament

Czech Conservative Oldrich Vlasák MEP, vice-president of the European Parliament, executive president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and former member of the Committee said that “more than ever, the traditional drivers of economic growth are giving way to a knowledge-based economy. Cities are the focal points for this transformation as they concentrate not only most of the wealth but also most of the problems – hence they need to be supported.” He also stressed that a knowledge of local and regional politics helped MEPs to understand the complex issue of regional policy, territorial and urban development more closely. The Czech Republic was

Jan Olbrycht MEP, vice-chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development (REGI)

This view was also echoed by Jan Olbrycht (PL/ EPP) MEP, vice-chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development (REGI). MEP Olbrycht gained his first political experience at local level as mayor and member of Cieszyn municipal council in the early 1990s. In

Nº 86 – JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014

Local experience is the foundation of politics in the sense that participation at a local level instills a strong sense of affinity with the people whom one ultimately represents. Claudette Abela Baldacchino, MEP

On 19 March 1958, the European Parliamentary Assembly – which would later become the European Parliament – elected Robert Schuman as its first President. In his first speech as head of the institution, the man who delivered the famous Declaration of 9 May 1950, the founding act behind the European adventure, highlighted the changes made to the way in which the European Parliament would work following the entry into force of the Treaties signed in Rome in March 1957. Speaking on the issue of electing the Assembly’s members by universal suffrage, Robert Schuman announced that direct elections “could become a matter of real urgency within two years.” In the event, Europe would have to wait until 1979 for the first direct elections to the European Parliament.

Europe’s ‘Founding Fathers’, Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet

later years he would become Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship. “The active involvement of the EU’s cities is vital for the future success of Europe and its programmes and policies such as the Europe 2020 strategy” noted Olbrycht, adding that European regions defined their urban policy and contributed to the achievement of the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy.

Jo Leinen MEP, former minister of the Environment for the State of Saarland

In Germany, we spoke with Jo Leinen, former minister of the Environment for the State of Saarland (1985–1994) and Member of Saarland’s Landtag

until 1999. Jo Leinen, who has also worked as a municipal councillor in Püttlingen, noted that all European environmental initiatives have a direct impact at local and regional level. “When we draft our legislative proposals we have to reflect and anticipate their impact on the daily life of people in our cities and regions. I therefore believe that my experience in local and regional politics is also very useful today in my work as a Member of the European Parliament,” she said. For MEP Claudette Abela Baldacchino from Malta, who is also a former member of the Committee of the Regions, local experience represents the very foundation of politics in the sense that participation at local level instills a strong sense of affinity with the people whom one ultimately represents. She noted that people in Malta live in rather small communities which meant that people tend to know each other well. She feels that this is an advantage since it allows politicians, at all levels, to be close to the citizens and to truly understand their needs. “Even at a European level we cannot forget that we are representing our constituencies in Member States in their complex di-

versity,” she said. “Every day, when I walk through the crowded streets of Brussels or when I have meetings in the European Parliament, I recall that my roots are in Malta, and that I am representing the Maltese citizens.” Claudette Abela Baldacchino felt that both institutions, the European Parliament as well as the Committee of the Regions were aware of these realities and that they would continue to work closer together for the benefit of all.

The active involvement of the EU’s cities is vital for the future success of Europe and its programmes and policies such as the Europe 2020 strategy. Jan Olbrycht, MEP

REGIONS AND CITIES OF EUROPE

The Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform is available online

The CoR’s Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform, a group of over 170 cities and regions from the 28 EU Member states, monitors how Europe 2020 is implemented on the ground, promoting the exchange of good practices.

http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020

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