A forward-looking budget for Europe is needed
To help shape a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive future, higher investments in lifelong learning through Erasmus+ and in accompanying the digital revolution, both from a social and economic point of view, are needed. Strengthening managers’ skills could help to better implement the EU programmes, both in public services and concerned companies.
The European Commission revealed its plans for the new Multiannual Financial Framework of 2021-2027. The proposal intends to support Europe in a fast-changing international context. Growing geo-political tensions, the departure of the United Kingdom from the Union and differences among member states count among the most important challeges.
Among the main “conceptual” novelties is the introduction of a principle linking the distribution of EU funding to the overall respect of the rule of law in Member States. Furthermore, the Commission proposes to review the system of own resources, including a common corporate tax base and a contribution on plastic waste.
From an overall perspective, more attention will be given to security, migration and border defense, as well as to securing Europe’s place in the global competition for innovation and digital competences. A total of 1.134 €bn is foreseen for the period 2021-2027, amounting to 1,11% of the total GDP for the EU-27 (up from 0,98% for the period 2014-2020).
Please find CEC’s press release below:
CEC European Managers welcomes increases of the Erasmus+, climate action and research budgets proposed recently by the Commission. CEC-President Luger Ramme said: “The next Multiannual Financial Framework has to reflect the urgencies that the geo-political situation, digitalisation and changes in the labour market bring. To help shape a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive future, higher investments in lifelong learning through Erasmus+ and in accompanying the digital revolution, both from a social and economic point of view, are needed. Strengthening managers’ skills could help to better implement the EU programmes, both in public services and concerned companies.”
According to a first analysis of the proposals the increase in the funds allocated to the development of the single market and the investment in digital Europe is a positive move, but more needs to be done: Europe needs to be able to compete at equal levels with the other world players. Furthermore, CEC calls for avoiding that the reduction of cohesion funding is translated into a reduction of social spending and a weakening of the European Social Fund, putting the European Pillar of Social Rights at risk.
In a context of reduced contributions due to the Brexit and more difficult negotiations among Member States, a realistic budget proposal has been presented. The budgetary balance sought resulted in lower allocations foreseen for agricultural and cohesion policies. If the Commission’s vision is to bring more EU added value, it is crucial to pay due attention to the workers, professionals and managers’ needs.
