Building Europe 2020 in Partnership

Transcription

1 ISSUE 1 MAY 2011 Building Europe 2020 in Partnership Regions and Cities Implementing the Flagship Initiatives

2 1 INNOVATION UNION 2 YOUTH ON THE MOVE Europe 2020 Flagship Initiatives 3 A DIGITAL AGENDA FOR EUROPE The Europe 2020 strategy is a 10-year plan for economic renewal which seeks to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions insists that all levels of government should be engaged on an equal footing and proposes the use of Territorial Pacts. 5 4 RESSOURCE EFFICIENT EUROPE AN INDUSTRIAL POLICY FOR THE GLOBALISATION ERA 6 AN AGENDA FOR NEW SKILLS AND JOBS 7 EUROPEAN PLATFORM AGAINST POVERTY

3 We, in the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions, were quick to respond to the first proposals for a Europe 2020 strategy. We therefore welcome the inclusion of regions and cities in the final document and the recognition of their role in growth and development when Europe is still recovering from the financial crisis. However, our work here has just begun. During its Group meeting in December 2010, the EPP Group set up a Task Force to track the evolution of the strategy s flagship initiatives and monitor the legislative developments at EU level. The Task Force is run under the chairmanship of Markku Markkula and consists of seven political coordinators focusing on the seven flagship initiatives. Through the Task Force, we aim to scrutinise the Member States work, examine the possibility of greater dialogue between local and regional authorities and central governments, and ultimately have an impact on the National Reform Programmes. In order to achieve these goals, we must promote the use of Territorial Pacts as tools for the implementation of the strategy. Through these political commitments, local and regional authorities could truly make a difference in the design and implementation of Europe s future. To ensure greater ownership of the strategy, the EPP/CoR Group is committed to close cooperation with the European Parliament, European Council and European Commission as well as with regional and local authorities, national parliaments, social partners and other stakeholders. We hope that the following pages can provide a helpful illustration of the competences of local and regional authorities and how their contribution is necessary for the successful implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy. Michael Schneider, President of the EPP CoR Group The idea of Territorial Pacts ( ) is a valuable contribution to our reflections on the Europe 2020 Strategy and has enormous potential for its implementation. Herman Van Rompuy President of the European Council We are very much in favour of your idea of territorial pacts. I will push member states to accept involvement of all parties in territorial pacts. José Manuel Barroso President of the European Commission The European Parliament s resolution on Europe 2020 recognises that, in order to achieve visible results, European tasks and responsibilities must be shared in a well orchestrated way between European, national, regional and local levels of governance. Jerzy Buzek- President of the European Parliament 1

4 Europe 2020 Overview Europe 2020 strategy - following the Commission s proposal, the European Council endorsed in June 2010 the Europe 2020 strategy as a way of boosting economic and financial growth. The strategy aims to pave a path for the EU towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth by Seven flagship initiatives have been launched as primary tools to put the strategy into practice, according to the three objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth: 2 smart growth: Innovation Union, Youth on the Move, a Digital Agenda for Europe; sustainable growth: Resource-Efficient Europe, an Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era; inclusive growth: Agenda for New Skills and Jobs, and European Platform Against Poverty. To measure progress, five headline targets have been agreed: 1. employment to ensure that 75% of year-olds are employed; 2. research and innovation: 3% of the EU s GDP (public and private combined) is invested; 3. climate change/energy: reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%; attain 20% of energy from renewable sources and reach a 20% increase in energy efficiency; 4. education: reduce school drop-out rates to under 10%, ensure that at least 40% of year-olds complete third level education; 5. poverty/social exclusion: at least 20 million people are lifted out of poverty and exclusion. National Reform Programmes: the EU-level targets were translated into national targets in all EU countries, reflecting different situations and circumstances. At the end of April 2011, EU national governments submitted National Reform Programmes (NRPs), which illustrate how they will implement Europe 2020 at national level. The European Commission and the European Council assess the NRPs, the annual implementation reports, issue guidelines, country-specific recommendations on macroeconomic and fiscal policies and also on ways which demonstrate the best pursuit of the new strategy. The Commission assesses progress on both economic policy coordination and country achievements for publication each January. European semester: a six-month period during which the Member States budgetary and structural policies will be reviewed to reinforce economic coordination; strict coordination between EU monitoring of macroeconomic and fiscal policies and policies addressing structural problems is at the core of the new approach to economic policy coordination adopted by the EU, in place since January The European Council each March will identify the main economic challenges facing the EU and give strategic advice on policies. Each July, on the basis of the programmes submitted in April, the European Council will provide policy advice before member states finalise their budgets for the following year. Territorial Pacts on Europe 2020 The Territorial Pacts could represent natural components inside the National Reform Programmes, to ensure the respect of Multilevel Governance and Partnership principles in the implementation of the strategy. They could take the form of political commitments, agreements or even contracts established on a voluntary basis between public bodies while focusing on governance and the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy. Territorial Pacts could be developed in policy areas where regional and local authorities are legally responsible and are thus key actors in relation to the design and implementation of the Europe 2020 headline targets and flagship initiatives. This initiative is officially endorsed by the Committee of the Regions and by the European Parliament and has so far received political support from the European Commission, the European Council and the Belgian, Hungarian and Polish Presidencies of the EU. EPP/CoR Task Force on Europe 2020 The European People s Party Group in the Committee of the Regions has introduced a Task Force on Europe 2020 to encourage its political representatives to support the implementation of the strategy on the ground. The objective of the EPP/CoR Task Force is to scrutinise the evolution of the strategy, while monitoring the relevant legislative activity at EU level and the implementation of National Reform Programmes. The seven political coordinators of the Task Force want to establish a political dialogue with the EU and Member State representatives and ensure that the views of regional and local authorities are properly taken into account. Furthermore, the EPP/CoR Group also supports the work developed by the Europe 2020 Platform of the Committee of the Regions and is working in close cooperation with the European People s Party and the EPP Group in the European Parliament.

5 1. Innovation Union Research and innovation is essential for creating growth and jobs in our cities and regions. We will therefore substantially improve the framework conditions and ensure access to finance so that innovative ideas can be materialised. Marialuisa Coppola Councillor of the Veneto Region and Regional Councillor with lead responsibility for economy and development, research and innovation of the Veneto Region (Italy) Nanomaterial, Veneto Region Linking platform between the local government, universities and businesses; Innovation and simplification in access to public instruments of intervention; Promote the integration of skilful and talented young people in a high-innovation production system through targeted incentives for the companies and businesses; Reinforce the role of public sectors in connecting innovation to the market; Increase the use of EU Structural Funds by innovative financing tools for SMEs; Participate in the European Innovation Partnerships and regional cross-border projects; Simplified access to administrative practices and proceedings; Participate in the programming of the European Research Area. Nanotech Laboratories, Veneto Region Refracting Powers Certottica, Veneto Region Biotech MASTER-Graduation Day, Veneto Region 3

6 2. Youth on the Move Young people have the right to broaden their knowledge and skills. We therefore commit to working with our regions and cities to enhance the EU s mobility programmes and facilitate entry into the labour market. Malcolm Mifsud Mayor of Pieta (Malta) Determine modern higher education agendas and promote learning mobility via bilateral/multilateral partnerships between central, regional and local governments; Establish regional support programmes for young entrepreneurs providing guidance, counselling and apprenticeships; Implement actions aimed at informing young people of job opportunities, scholarships and funding, and establish dialogue with them; Enhance coordination among institutional actors, social partners and educational institutions; Establish cross-border networks, twinning between cities, cooperation with partners from third countries. Primary Schools Students, Wielkopolska Region Youth Agency, Malta 4 Youth Information, Malta

7 3. A Digital Agenda for Europe We want to support pioneering regions to create a flourishing digital economy by By promoting societal innovations and speeding up the roll-out of high-speed internet, we can reap the benefits of a digital single market at home and at work. Markku Markkula Member of Espoo City Council (Finland) Ensure equal and affordable broadband access in all areas and lead pilot projects aimed at closing the accessibility gap; Develop e-government: new approaches towards people-centred e-services in education, health, social inclusion and territorial planning; Stimulate infrastructure upgrade, including through a better use of Structural Funds; Support the development of public-private partnerships with SMEs in the field of ICT; Improve interoperability of public administrations and effectiveness of public service delivery; Smart City, Helsinki Region Provide training to strengthen literacy in ICT, build highlevel ICT skills and foster lifelong learning in ICT. Design Factory, Espoo City The Hub Framework for the Innovation Ecosystem Evaluations Culminatum and Cluster Development 5

8 4. Resource Efficient Europe Europe has a responsibility to the environment. Regions and cities can play an important role by increasing their use of renewable energy sources, modernising the transport and housing sector, boosting resource efficiency and promoting a low carbon economy. Together we can create a truly resource efficient europe. Michel Lebrun Member of the Walloon Region Parliament (Belgium) Improve governance on climate change and raise public awareness by motivating producers and consumers towards adopting a more climate friendly and resource efficient behaviour; Adopt local or regional climate and energy strategies which foresee more green procurement for public budgets, including projects financed through the Structural Funds or by other financial means; Water Treatment, Ciney Mobilise political support towards larger investments in the ecological public services while supporting more green business investments; Promote local climate action pacts between public and private partners; Establish strategic public-private partnerships between small and medium-sized enterprises, and local and regional authorities with a view to further developing and applying low carbon technologies. SPW Jean-Louis Carpentier Passive Housing, Hotton Wind Turbines, Värmland Photovoltaics Solar Panels, Veneto Region SPW Jean-Louis Carpentier

9 5. An Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era We must improve the business environment in our regions and cities, notably for Small and Medium sized Enterprises. Together we can put the EU economy on a dynamic growth path thus strengthening EU competitiveness, providing growth and jobs and enabling the transition to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy. Emilia Müller Minister for Federal and European Affairs in the Bavarian State Chancellery (Germany) Simplify the legislative framework on public procurement and public-private partnerships; Establish strategic public-private partnerships; Foster cross-border cooperation, promote exchange of best practice and verification mechanisms; Reconcile work and family life through a better quality of public services; Institute of Technology, Dundalk Promote the initiative European Entrepreneurial Region to identify and reward EU regions with outstanding entrepreneurial vision and to encourage LRAs to promote small businesses across Europe; Support the European code of best practice which facilitates SME access to public procurement contracts. Airport Control Tower, Munich Subway Station, Munich Cluster, Värmland 7

10 6. An Agenda for New Skills and Jobs Modernised labour markets empower people from our local communities by developing their skills and increasing labour participation. We believe that Europe would benefit from a better match between labour supply and demand. Constance Hanniffy Member of Offaly County Council and President of the monitoring committee of the Border, Midland and West Regional Assembly (Ireland) Provide education, training and other measures supporting the labour market, especially for young people, women and the elderly; Upgrade skills: investments to improve the quality of education and training, and also develop more informative and timely ways of matching the supply of skills with labour market demand; Implement new strategies to make the most of older people s skills in view of their much extended life span; The Food Technology Center, Sligo Develop Erasmus programmes for local and regional civil servants and for elected representatives; Share good practice among local and regional stakeholders. Business Mentoring Project, Border, Midland and Western Region 8 Part funded by the ERDF

11 7. European Platform Against Poverty We want to ensure that growth and jobs are widely distributed among people in all of our regions and cities. We must also raise awareness and recognise the fundamental rights of those living in poverty so they too can live in dignity and take an active part in society. Marek Wozniak President of the Wielkopolska Region (Poland) Use legal competences and tailored programmes for local needs in the sectors of education, housing, urban planning, social services, security, cultural activities, etc., with a special focus on young people and children; Design, fund and implement policies aimed at integrating people who are excluded from the labour market; Use European programmes to promote social inclusion, combat discrimination and promote gender equality and fundamental rights; establish regional observatories to monitor indicators and policies related to social inclusion; Promote e-inclusion and social economy; Sharing good practices among local and regional stakeholders. Support for Rural Integration, Wielkopolska Region Social Integration Observatory, Wielkopolska Region Barka Foundation, Wielkopolska Region Pathways to Labour Market Inclusion, Wielkopolska Region 9

12 CDR_1053/ /EN EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat, 101 _ 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel _ BELGIQUE/BELGIË Tel _ epp@cor.europa.eu European People s Party Group in the Committee of the Regions