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The CIP ICT-PSP 5th call for proposals is now open until 1 June 2011. ICT PSP aims at stimulating innovation and competitiveness through wider uptake and best use of ICT by citizens, governments and businesses.
Objective 1.2 on “ICT for energy efficiency in public buildings” intends to improve energy efficiency in European public buildings through ICT-based solutions. Several pilots will be funded up to the maximum budget allocated of 7 million euros. Pilot actions should aim to demonstrate that advanced ICT components and systems (e.g. smart metering, smart lighting, power electronics, energy micro-generation, etc.) can contribute directly to reducing energy losses and consumption in public buildings.
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The CIP ICT-PSP 5th call for proposals is now open until 1 June 2011. ICT PSP aims at stimulating innovation and competitiveness through wider uptake and best use of ICT by citizens, governments and businesses.
Objective 1.2 on “ICT for energy efficiency in public buildings” intends to improve energy efficiency in European public buildings through ICT-based solutions. Several pilots will be funded up to the maximum budget allocated of 7 million euros. Pilot actions should aim to demonstrate that advanced ICT components and systems (e.g. smart metering, smart lighting, power electronics, energy micro-generation, etc.) can contribute directly to reducing energy losses and consumption in public buildings.
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This second eHealth action plan (eHAP) provides an opportunity to consolidate the actions which have been addressed to date, take them a step further where possible and provide a longer term vision for eHealth in Europe, in the context the EU 2020 Strategy, the Digital Agenda for Europe as well as Innovation Union and its associated European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The consultation is open during 8 weeks.
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EU wins key WTO case proving Boeing received billions in subsidies from United States
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Agency enjoys central role in key event on TEN-T
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An assessment on the total investment requirement to reach the Digital Agenda broadband targets
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Published on:

31 March 2011

Work Plan 2011

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After 3,5 years of intensive research in highly automated driving, HAVEit, the major EU-funded research project, will hold its final event in Boras, Sweden, on 21 June 2011. Automated driving could support drivers considerably, increase traffic safety and reduce the environmental impact of road transport. The project will demonstrate its findings using passenger cars, trucks and a bus.
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Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 2.6% in March 2011 according to a flash estimate issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. It was 2.4% in February.
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The EESC President met Commissioner Cioloş, responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, on 29 March. Staffan Nilsson presented EESC's opinion on the Communication from the Commission "The CAP towards 2020" adopted at its March plenary. The EESC calls on the Commission to explain more clearly the existing links between the post-2013 CAP objectives, instruments and financial resources, and questioned the Commissioner on the definition of 'active farmers'. The Commission is very concerned with this issue and is working on the definition to be put in the future Regulation. The Commissioner expressed his strong wish to listen to the EESC Members' view on the legislative proposals once the package is out at the end of the year. Mr. Cioloş welcomed the EESC Food Security Conference which will allow the Committee to bring a very valuable contribution to the G20 debate. The Commissioner is very much committed to attending the event and being strongly involved in promoting the outcome of the civil society recommendations on food security at the June G20 Agriculture Ministers' Summit.

Read more on the EESC's work on agriculture and rural development on our website.

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Staffan Nilsson, EESC President,  talks with Henri Malosse, President of the Employers' Group on EU’s value for money;

Read also Staffan Nilsson's Comment on EU's value for money

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Anna Maria talks with Vladimira Drbalovà on An agenda for new skills and jobs

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At the Spring Council, Member States took a useful step forward in the building of Europe. By formally recognising in their conclusions the role of all the players in the new reform framework – the European Semester, the EU Member States have extended the circle of contributors to Europe 2020. "In implementing these policies, and in order to ensure wide ownership, close cooperation will be maintained with the European Parliament and other EU institutions and advisory bodies (ESC, CoR), with the full involvement of national parliaments, social partners, regions and other stakeholders." (From The conclusions of the European Council 24/25 March 2011, point I.6.)

Admittedly, civil society's contribution to decision-making and reforms is already recognised in the regular work programme with the European institutions. The Council formally acknowledges that without grassroots players taking ownership of reforms – without the people who build the daily reality of Europe: employers, employees and other various interests’ groups – political decision-makers run the risk of making serious mistakes. Such recognition was long overdue, and I welcome it!

Read the full comment

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At the Spring Council, Member States took a useful step forward in the building of Europe. By formally recognising in their conclusions the role of all the players in the new reform framework – the European Semester, the EU Member States have extended the circle of contributors to Europe 2020. "In implementing these policies, and in order to ensure wide ownership, close cooperation will be maintained with the European Parliament and other EU institutions and advisory bodies (ESC, CoR), with the full involvement of national parliaments, social partners, regions and other stakeholders." (FromThe conclusions of the European Council 24/25 March 2011, point I.6.)

Admittedly, civil society's contribution to decision-making and reforms is already recognised in the regular work programme with the European institutions. The Council formally acknowledges that without grassroots players taking ownership of reforms – without the people who build the daily reality of Europe: employers, employees and other various interests’ groups – political decision-makers run the risk of making serious mistakes. Such recognition was long overdue, and I welcome it!

Now in order to build the European Semester and prepare the grounds for a recovered and prosperous Europe in 2020, the EU needs a budget. The EU's current budget represents around 1% of Member States' GDP. Considering how much Europe can offer its people in adjunct to the Member States, such as the benefits of the EU internal market, the budget is modest. But at a time when almost all Member States are cutting their national budgets, will the EU follow suit? Cutting the budget would mean less EU support for some policies that are vital for Europe!

The EU budget needs to be seen as a way of sharing efforts and costs and making economies of scale, and not as an expense. It acts as a lever for boosting growth by between 3 and 4 points by 2020. Europe – and thus its budget – has three tools for securing the recovery: 27 members who together can win the battle for competitiveness in a globalised world; stronger social cohesion, the glue which holds our societies together; investment in the sectors of the future: sustainable industries, green energy, education and research, and innovation. The EU budget can help create a smarter Europe, equipped to stay in the top five of the world competition league.

The Member States may realize that the potential is there, but they are also – and rightly – mindful of public opinion, because this is not a time of euro-enthusiasm. How can we speak to the European citizens about the Member States' contribution to the EU budget while domestic public spending is being cut? Perhaps we could consider a budget based more on the EU's own resources. Above all, we must provide intelligent information about the EU budget, so the public can see the benefits that Europe brings: in short, that it provides value for money.

I have no illusions about this: we are not going to see any significant increase in the EU budget this time. But I'd like us to be smart and creative: the European institutions could manage their budget more effectively as well. If money is not spent on a given sector, let's be open about the fact, and recognise that one budget heading can be trimmed a bit to help another: society evolves and the institutions' accounting figures should too. There is still a generally held view in Brussels that if money hasn't been spent it's because one hasn't done one's work properly. That is wrong: it may actually be because one has done the work better. It is just a matter of staying open and creative.

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Staffan Nilsson, EESC President,  talks with Henri Malosse, President of the Employers' Group on EU’s value for money (click on the image to view the video):

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Interpretation provided:  EN HU PT PL FR BG ES DE RO IT / EN HU FR RO IT

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"Consulting immigrants to improve integration policies: key findings from MIPEXIII and EESC study presented by Thomas Huddleston, Policy analyst at the Migration Policy Group (MPG)

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Drawing the conclusions of the extraordinary meeting of the Group of "Various Interests" (Group III) on 22 March, on the prospects for European Participatory Democracy, the President, Luca Jahier, said that "the foundations for a new way forward have been laid: the process of civil dialogue is both ambitious and complex. Participation in this dialogue is not only a right but also a duty that rests on the reciprocal commitment between the European institutional structures and civil society organisations."

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President Nilsson had a meeting with EU Commissioner Connie Hedegaard. The Commissioner's portfolio is very important for the Committee's work priorities.

The EESC President and Commissioner Hedegaard talked about the low carbon 2050 roadmap and the flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 Strategy on Resource Efficiency.

Both the EESC and the Commission are working towards delivering an input to the Rio-summit on global sustainable development in 2012. Access to energy and pricing environmental services are likely to be the focus of the Commission's contribution to Rio+20 summit.

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Strasbourg, 17 March 2011

Dear Mr M.,

On 2 February 2011, I informed you that I had opened an inquiry into your complaint against the European Commission concerning its handling of your complaint dated 13 June 2008. In this regard, I pointed out that my inquiry would concern only your first allegation and your first and second claims, which are outlined below.

First Allegation:

The Commission failed properly to handle your complaint of 13 June 2008 relating to the free movement of persons and goods in the EU.

Claims:

The Commission should:

(1) explain why its then Directorate-General for Justice, Freedom and Security handled your
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